Let the Best of 2011 Lists Begin!

As we approach December, publications and blogs alike have started sharing their Best of 2011 lists. Here's a quick breakdown of the "best of" lists that I've encountered thus far. Have you found others? Share them with us in the comments section below!

Audiobook
As part of their "Holiday Gift Guide," The New York Times unveiled their "100 Notable Books of 2011." Featuring everything from the bestselling Tiger's Wife and the raunchy House of Holes to the heart-wrenching Blue Nights and the thought-provoking Who's Afraid of Post-Blackness, this list is now an audiobook collection on our website.

AudioFile not only lists the best audiobooks of 2011, but also the best voices, providing a well-rounded celebration of audiobooks. Dividing their selections up by a multitude of genres, including author-read, this lengthy list is also now available as a collection at cvsmidwesttapes.ca.

CD
While Paste Magazine has shared their 50 Best Albums of 2011 list, Billboard is leaving it in their readers' hands. From Best Newcomer to Most Anticipated Album of 2012, Billboard.com visitors can vote for the best and worst of 2011. Polls close on midnight on December 8, so submit your votes now. Then visit Billboard.com on December 12 to view poll winners.

DVD
Want to know what flicks are fresh? Rotten Tomatoes have organized their Top 100 Movies of 2011 based on their Tomatometer Scores. Films have to have 20 or more critic reviews to be eligible for ranking.

Meanwhile, MovieFone has put together a gallery of their best flicks of 2011 so far. The gallery currently contains 25 films. However, at the end of the year, they'll update it with their final top 50 picks.

Bridesmaids made both these lists, making the film's "consider us" Variety cover even more timely. I know I'm definitely hopeful that this breakthrough comedy shines during awards season.

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The Joys of Visiting the Library

When you say the word “library,” some people will think only of books. While books are definitely a central part of the experience, frequent visitors know that the library has so much more to offer than that. Truth is the library is many different things to many different people. Let’s take a look at some of the different reasons people love going to the library.

Multimedia offerings. Yes, there are books. And not just physical ink-and-paper books; there are also audiobooks and e-books. There are newspapers and magazines. In addition to all the reading material, there are also DVDs and CDs. Some libraries even offer video games. So wherever your interest lies, you’re sure to find something you like at the library.

Browsing. The library makes it extremely easy to find exactly what you’re looking for. You can get online, search for the item you want, and reserve it, then just go pick it up. But, as Virginia Tech professor Brian Romans notes, there’s a lot to be said for spending some time just browsing and coming across something completely unexpected.

Cost savings.¹ All the items the library offers are available for checkout. Why pay upwards of $20 for the latest hardback bestseller when you can borrow it from the library? You can also check out an audiobook for a long car trip, see the latest movie release everyone is talking about, and explore new music—all for free! That’s something everyone can get behind, weak economy or not.

Job searching. Speaking of the economy, the library offers plenty of resources to help those looking for work. From books with tips on writing a résumé to computers to write it with, the library is a great asset.

Internet connectivity. If you don’t have a computer or Internet connection at home, or if it’s on the fritz, the library is the place to go. You can use a library computer or, if you just need a connection, most libraries offer WiFi access for your laptop or other device. This wireless signal may even be available near the building when the library is closed.²

Social networking. No, I’m not talking about Facebook and Twitter, but actual face-to-face human interaction. Libraries are community hubs, offering many clubs and activities or meeting spaces for outside groups. It’s a great place to get together with friends or meet new ones.

There are any number of other reasons to love going to the library. Speaking for myself, I visit my local library at least once a week. I love the smell of the books and being surrounded by them. I also enjoy being able to check out music by artists I’m not familiar with. How did you fall in love with the library? What do your patrons rave about? Let us know in the comments section below.

¹ http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/56428/eleven_ways_to_save_money_by_going.html?cat=46
² http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20111031/NEWS01/110310318/More-than-just-print-paper

Blackstone Audio at CVS Midwest Tape

This fall CVS Midwest Tape partnered with Blackstone Audio, and we’re excited to announce that we now offer all of Blackstone Audio’s titles with original artwork. Additionally, we’re providing Blackstone’s standing order plans combined with our program’s customisability. Our standing order offerings exactly match that of Blackstone, further simplifying your selection process.

Enhance your library’s collection today with CVS Midwest Tape’s Blackstone Audio Standing Order Plans:

• Top Fiction (10 titles per month)
• Top Non-Fiction (10 titles per month)
• Top Fiction & Non-Fiction Combo (10 titles per month)

Note: Receive notification of plans approximately one month before street date.


Like all our standing order plans, you’ll receive absolute flexibility:

• Plans delivered as carts via cvsmidwesttapes.ca with email notification
• Easily adjust quantities and add or remove titles
• Plans automatically duplicate checked
• No contracts, minimum order requirements, or obligation to order

To sign up for CVS Midwest Tape’s Blackstone Audio plans or learn more about all our audiobook order plans, contact Erica Messinger at 866.698.2231 or emessinger@cvsmidwesttapes.ca.

Are you excited for Blackstone at CVS Midwest Tape? What other standing order plans would you like to see?