To celebrate the likes of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Booker T. Washington and other influential African-American figures, the Boston Public Library suggests the following city-set reads as part of a larger compilation of novels for Black History Month.

The City of Boston has beenpushing an initiative to support Boston’s new food truck industry and to increase the number of trucks on the streets. But Adam Gendreau, co-owner of Staff Meal food truck, said the industry is not gaining the momentum he and other owners anticipate

Cheap beer specials in Boston.

Students witnessed Boston’s volatile weather at its finest this month. After returning to campus Jan. 7 wearing T-shirts, students had to bundle up to fight frostbite a week later at Frozen Fenway.

Citing increasing concerns over the protection of locals, overcrowding and noise complaints, Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced the establishment of a Nightclub Enforcement Unit to crack down on disturbances at late-night entertainment venues around the city, according to a Dec. 19 press release. However, some Northeastern students and local vendors think the unit is redundant and unnecessary.

The MBTA is facing a projected deficit of $185 million for Fiscal Year 2013 and has proposed two plans to address this deficit, according to a Jan. 3 press release. Both options would not only raise fares, but also eliminate Green Line E service on weekends. If implemented, this would be the T’s first fare hike in five years.

In 2006, “Bicycling Magazine” set off a chain of events when it named Boston one of the worst cities in America to cycle – for the third time. In the five years since, the disgraced city has picked itself up, dusted itself off and gotten back on the cycle. Mayor Thomas Menino has made radical changes throughout the city that have not only gotten Boston off of the worst cities list, but also allowed it to enter the ranks of America’s Top 50 Bike-Friendly Cities by “Bicycling Magazine.” This year, Boston ranked number 26 on the list. Part of what made biking in Boston so dangerous in the early 2000s was that bicyclists were expected to share the road with cars and trucks that can cause severe damage to the riders when collisions occurred. Recognizing this danger, Menino has indicated several busy streets throughout Boston that will add to the bike lanes. One such street is one that many Northeastern students are familiar with: Massachusetts Avenue.

The Occupy movement is approaching its fourth month and the self-termed “99 percent” have transitioned from a fringe protest group to one that, some say, might help decide the result of the 2012 presidential election.

Since April, the efforts of the Boston’s Business Improvement District (BID), a non-profit committed to achieving downtown’s full potential as an economic center and vibrant neighborhood, have cleaned the streets and set up events to promote business near Downtown Crossing. The project consisted of removing street trash, cleaning up vandalized sites and setting up public events such as galleries and performances. Yet the removal of street blemishes is overshadowed by the lack of progress to make use of the area’s vacant sites, such as the former Filene’s Basement location.

If you’ve ever snored with your windows open, sported a goatee without the required permit or went to bed without first taking a full bath, you’re in violation of Massachusetts law. It is also illegal in Massachusetts for tomatoes to be used in the production of clam chowder and to have a gorilla in the back seat of your car.

Between the 52 colleges and more than 300,000 college students in the greater metropolitan area, Boston has earned the title “College Town, U.S.A.” Despite having the highest ratio of 20- to 34-year-olds among big cities (according to the 2010 census), Boston’s nightlife is seen as lacking for those under 21 years of age. Boston’s nightlife is primarily focused on bars, which poses a problem for the mass of its population under legal drinking age. Fraternity parties and other activities available to college students often involve alcohol as well.

Despite the unusual weather, the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) is already anticipating severe storms and planning ahead. The MBTA announced Nov. 3 on its website that it will run fewer trains and buses during harsh storms this winter. While this will mostly affect commuter rails, buses and T trains will also experience limited schedules in certain instances.