Does anyone read books anymore? I mean books made out of paper. I have a Nook so I have been mostly e-reading but I do have a few paper back books on hand for the beach, pool, and other locations where it might be dangerous to have electronics this summer. Even with this new technology, the prices of "real" books can still be expensive. Especially for new releases! Here are some helpful tips on how to get your hands on some new reads, written by Melissa from TriangleMommies.com.

1. Join Your Local Library It does not get any better than free. Take yourself down to your local library with a driver's license or a recent bill and sign up for a library card. As long as you return your books on time and in reasonable condition, checking out books from the local library costs nothing. Most libraries allow patrons to check out an unlimited number of books and let you keep them for two to three weeks (except for brand new titles, which most places let you keep for one week). If your library does not carry the title you want, you can often request that your library borrow it from a neighboring library, (for a small fee). Also, did you know that many libraries offer e-books? You can download titles directly to your smartphone, computer or electronic reader.

2. Trade Your Titles Swap sites like PaperbackSwap.com, TitleTrader.com and Bookins.com currently offer over five million books free of charge. These sites let readers trade in titles on their bookshelves for others they would like to read. After listing a few titles, users will get credit for each one sent to another member. Credits can be redeemed for other books on the site. Depending on the site, users will pay shipping to send or receive a book, but not both. These sites have no fees and no hidden charges. Hardbacks, audio books and textbooks are also available.

3. Request Advance Reads Copies As a marketing tool, many publishers offer advanced copies to readers free of charge. An advanced copy, also known as a readers edition, is a copy of a book before it is released for mass distribution. The readers edition usually lacks a dust jacket, formatting and binding. While it is true that some of these books go to book reviewers and celebrities in hopes of getting free publicity, many publishing houses also offer them to the general public. You can become an early reviewer by joining LibraryThing (http://www.librarything.com/er/list), by contacting the author or publisher of favorite titles, or by befriending a local bookstore owner.

4. Host Your Own Local Book Swap Gather a list of local friends and family and send out invitations. An evite is fine and its free. Include a short description of your book swap, including types of books to swap, the number of books to bring, time and location. Be sure to mention whether you will include refreshments or if you expect participants to bring something to share. Decide ahead of time if the books are being swapped permanently or if they will simply be on loan. If the books will be on loan, include in your invitation how the owners should be designated inside each book - telephone number, email address, or first name are common suggestions.

5. Buy Used You can save a bundle by purchasing used books in good condition. Many towns have stores dedicated to selling used books. Readers can also find used books at Goodwill stores, consignment shops, yard sales and thrift stores. Many local libraries offer annual used book sales as well. Check with your local librarian for dates and details. While they charge a bit more, web sites like amazon.com and half.com also offer deeply discounted used books for the public. 

This article originally appeared on The Mommies Network National Blog on June 3, 2011.

Looking for something the kids can make to give to dad? This was a cute project featured in our June 2011 Newsletter. For a link to the Smart-Bottom blog, click HERE.

It's June! That means school is ending for lots of families and the kiddos will be home for vacation. Don't be bored at home! Check out the events we have on our calendar so far:

• Harlem Road Community Center 6/4/2013
• Afternoon Ice Cream Social at Route 20 Ice Cream! 6/7/2013
• Walk at Stiglmeier Park 6/10/2013
• SkyZone! 6/12/2013
• Majors Park Walk & IceCream  6/13/2013
• Baby / Toddler Playdate 6/14/2013
• Swirls Café Mom's Night Out (children welcome) 6/14/2013
• Boulevard Play Area/Abbott's 6/19/2013
• Lunch & Play George's Hotdog Stand 6/20/2013
• Toddletown and More! 6/21/2013
• Krull Park & Olcott Beach 6/30/2013

Check out our calendar to get more details and to sign up: HERE.

If you were added to the "About to be Pruned" usergroup and have logged in and posted, your account is safe. We are continually updating that usergroup and your username will be removed from there eventually. Thanks for your patience!

Join BuffaloMommies for a Scavenger Hunt on June 1st at 6pm! We will meet at a designated location (see our chapter calendar), form teams, and set off on our hunt.

The cost is just $5. The winning team gets half of what is collected. The other half goes towards our fundraising goals for BuffaloMommies expenses like crafts supplies for our holiday party, meat for our summer picnic or items for Trunk or Treat.

Are you a new member? This is a great opportunity to come out and meet other moms.We will use random.org to put teams together so don't worry about not knowing anyone. The more members we have, the more fun it will be!

If you are not interested in participating in our hunt come join the group after it's over when we meet back for coffee, dessert, or appetizers and see who found or photographed the most items from our list. Don't miss out, click on the image to go to our calendar.

CrappyPictures is always good for a laugh. You can just relate to so much of it. If you have a few minutes pop over and lighten your mood.

Stuck in a snack rut? Here are some yummy ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

trail mix
popcorn
melon & watermelon on skewers or straws
carrots, cucumbers, sugar snap peas with low fat ranch dip
apples and peanut butter to dip
yogurt parfaits
frozen bananas
frozen kiwi slices on popsicle sticks
frozen grapes
sour grapes (roll grapes in sugar free jello powder)
fill waffle cones with fresh fruit
cucumber sandwiches (slices of cucumbers with lunch meat & cheese sandwiched in between)
fruit leather
hummus and veggies or crackers
pretzels and mustard
banana slices on Nilla wafers
zucchini chips
roasted chickpeas
smoothie
English muffin and cream cheese
pineapple cubes with unsweetened shredded coconut
chopped cherry tomatoes with cottage cheese and basil

Now that warm weather is here, make up a pitcher of one of the following beverages for a special treat*. Pick up some fancy plastic glasses or wacky straws and the kids will think you're a goddess.

Ginger Limeade
Source: All You magazine AUG 2010

Ingredients:
8 cups water
2 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups fresh lime juice
4 cups chilled ginger ale

Steps:
Over medium heat, mix water and sugar in a saucepan; stir until the sugar has dissolved. Let cool. In a pitcher, mix sugar syrup with fresh lime juice and chilled ginger ale. Serve over ice.

Watermelon Punch in a Watermelon Punch Bowl
Source: Martha Stewart

Ingredients:
1 oblong seedless watermelon (about 14 pounds)
3 cups seltzer

Steps:
Cut top third off watermelon; trim bottom just enough to make a flat surface. Scoop out the flesh.
Working in batches, puree watermelon in a food processor. Strain through a fine sieve; discard solids. (You should have about 9 cups juice.)
 Cover rind with plastic wrap. Refrigerate the juice and rind until chilled, about 1 hour. Combine juice with seltzer; transfer to rind.

Pineapple Upside Down Fizz
Source: Yes My Couch is Ugly

Ingredients:
In a pitcher, combine:
1 46 oz. can pineapple juice
1 liter ginger ale
2 10 oz. jars maraschino cherries (juice and cherries)

Stir, chill and serve.

*Some of these recipes have sugar and/or pop which is why we classified them as something special and not as a hydration beverage.