That wonderful time of year is right around the corner when we give ourselves permission to kick back and have a little fun—or do nothing at all. Your best companions for this season are not necessarily the two-legged or even the four-legged variety. In fact, the best company in the world is often found inside the pages of a good book. It doesn't have to be great literature, either—a little literary slumming can be very rejuvenating.

For Adults

Pirate Coast by Richard Zacks is about an overlooked bit of American history: President Thomas Jefferson's attempt to stop the enslavement of American merchant sailors by North African nations. Jefferson sent most of the fledgling U.S. Navy, as well as a battalion of troops, to Tripoli. Their leader, William Eaton, led his men across the desert to the "shores of Tripoli," only to be frustrated by subsequent events. Mr. Zacks will speak about Pirate Coast during an author signing at Books & Crannies on June 1st, 6-8 p.m.

One of our most talented and wonderful local authors, Katherine Neville (The Eight, The Magic Circle), has contributed to Thriller, the first-ever anthology of 32 short stories by well-known thriller writers at the top of their form. The short story format is perfect because, as with any good thriller, you won't want to put the book down until you find out what happens. Ms. Neville will be at Books & Crannies to sign copies of Thriller on June 4th, 2-4 p.m.

Patrick Smithwick will be signing his new book, Racing My Father, on June 11, 2-5 p.m. at Books and Crannies. Patrick is the son of legendary steeplechase rider A.P. Smithwick, and he, like his father, has pursued his own dream of racing with the best.

Kid Lit—Books for kids of all ages

Girls 13 and up will enjoy Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson, into which she pours everything she knows or thinks about this very American rite of passage, the senior prom. Just Listen, a new book by Sarah Dessen, is a year in the life of a family coming to terms with how things really are. Pardon My French by Catherine Hapka one in a series of five travel adventures, finds seventeen-year-old Nicole in Paris.

School Library Journal named Gilda Joyce, Psychic Investigator one of the best books of 2005. The second book in this series, by Jennifer Allison, Gilda Joyce: The Ladies of the Lake, came out in May, in which Gilda sets out to investigate a mysterious death at a Catholic girls' school.

For younger girls, ages 8 to 12, Paula Denziger's classic books have been reissued. These stories focus on pre-teen and early teen girls, but in a lighthearted way that helps readers see that not everything that happens is a crisis. The titles include: The Cat Ate My Gymsuit, The Pistachio Prescription¸ There's a Bat in Bunk Five and This Place Has No Atmosphere.

Readers ages 9 through 12 will enjoy the Warriors series by Erin Hunter. These are some of the most popular titles at Books & Crannies, and there are six in the series so far. Among these are: Into the Wild, Rising Storm, Fire and Ice, and Forest of Secrets. The New Prophecy Warriors series, also by Hunter, has four titles so far and is as exciting as the first round. These include: Starlight, Moonrise, Dawn, and Midnight.

Books that appeal to boys also include two by Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief and The Sea Monsters. Both mix Greek mythology with modern adventure and are action-packed, to say the least. Flight 29 Down: Static by Walter Sorrells is a kid's version of the hit TV series "Lost." The Time Warp Trio (Jon Scieszka) takes everyone's favorite time-travelers on some new adventures. There are nine of these terrific books in the series.

Fonzie—better known as Henry Winkler—has written a wonderful series for boys, ages 4-6. The Hank Zipper series includes such endearing titles as Summer School! What Genius Thought That Up?, I Got A D In Salami, and Niagara Falls, Or Does It?. These are a lot of fun to read together.

Horse lovers of all ages will adore A Horse Named Funny Cide by the Funny Cide Team with illustrations by Barry Moser. This is the heartwarming and uplifting story of a horse no one thought much of, and who went on to win the biggest race of all—the Kentucky Derby.