On Thursday, September 27th, a very special visitor will be coming to Middleburg. Frank Beddor, former Hollywood producer-turned-children's author, will be speaking to young readers (and not-so-young readers) about his wonderful series that proposes to tell the true story of Alice in Wonderland. The Looking Glass Wars introduced us to Alyss Heart, the Princess of Wonderland who lost her parents in a battle with the evil Aunt Redd. Now Alyss returns in Seeing Redd, the second in Beddor's planned trilogy. Alyss discovers being queen is not piece of cake. Beddor brings his moviemaking sensibility to his writing; the descriptions are vivid, the action is nonstop, and the entertainment factor is extremely high.

Plans are still being finalized as to time and location, but this is an event you won't want to miss. Beddor is a charming storyteller who is as captivating in person as he is on the page. Call Books & Crannies at 540-687-6677 for more information.

For history buffs, author James Gaines (For Liberty and Glory: Washington, Lafayette and Their Revolutions) will also be visiting us on Monday, September 17th. We are planning a reception in our store, followed by a ticketed event including dinner at the Red Fox Inn. You'll need to reserve your seat early as space is limited to 55. This exciting book tells the story of the American and French Revolutions, and shows just how deeply intertwined these two extraordinary events actually were. Gaines, a thoughtful and insightful historian, provides a fascinating look into the psyches of George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette and their own personal transformations that occurred within the context of revolution. This should be an extraordinary evening with one of our country's major historians. Call Books & Crannies for more information.

On Sunday, September 23rd, Ellen Crosby (Merlot Murders) will sign her delightful new book, Chardonnay Charade: A Wine Country Mystery. You'll find the setting of her second wine country mystery familiar: Atoka, Virginia. Lucie Montgomery, the heroine of Merlot Murders, returns in this installment with more trouble among the vines. Publisher's Weekly enjoyed this book, and so did we. We think you will, too. Join us for a reception (with wine, of course) and great conversation.

Among new releases is the second in the Fourth Realm Series by John Twelve Hawks. The Dark River brings back siblings Gabriel and Michael Corrigan (The Traveler), who now know they are part of an ancient lineage of prophets fighting to survive in a world controlled through a computer known as the Vast Machine. The brothers view this revelation from two distinct vantage points: One sees responsibility, the other sees profit. The ensuing tension builds to a shattering climax.

Need something a little less ominous? Try The Careful Use of Compliments, #4 in the Isabel Dalhousie series. Alexander McCall Smith brings back our wonderful philosopher-sleuth heroine (The Right Attitude to Rain) who has recently become a mother grappling with complicated relationships, professional challenges and the mysterious death of a Scottish painter.

For non-fiction buffs, pick up The Blair Years: The Alastair Campbell Diaries. Campbell was Tony Blair's spokesman and main political strategist from 1994 to 2003. This is perhaps the best chronicle so far of the rise of New Labour and the transformation of British politics, set against the tumultuous events of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

For young adult readers, Stephanie Meyer's Eclipse is out at last! Readers who loved Twilight and New Moon will devour this third installment in the author's vampire love saga. As if being an adolescent wasn't challenging enough!

Also out is Quantum Prophecy: The Awakening by Michael Carroll. Described as an action-packed story in the tradition of the X-Men, this book is about the search for super heroes a decade after they were supposedly all wiped out. But are they really gone? And are all the super villains really gone too? Secrets of My Hollywood Life: On Location by Jen Calonita is a novel about what it might really be like to be a teenage actor, with an entourage, a boyfriend, a best friend, a worst enemy, as well as great clothes, shoes and accessories. This is more than just a story about a girl and her problems; readers will get a glimpse inside the inner circle, including some great stuff about how movies are made.

For younger readers, there's Wishful Thinking (Benjamin Bartholomew Piff Series #2) by Jason Lethcoe. This continues the tale of the orphan boy who made the ultimate birthday wish: unlimited wishes! Now he grants wishes himself through his Wishworks Factory, but watch out! There's trouble ahead in the person of the mean-spirited Penelope.

Author Lynne Truss (Eats, Shoots and Leaves) gives younger readers a grammar guide of their own in The Girl's Like Spaghetti: Why You Can't Manage Without Apostrophes! Truss and illustrator Bonnie Timmons make it fun to learn about this particularly dangerous punctuation mark.

There are a few books ahead that might pique your interest enough to pre-order a copy. Alan Alda has written Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself, a candid, wise and funny book that asks, and tries to answer, some of the toughest questions we know (e.g., What do I value? What is a good life?) Bill Clinton has written Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World. The title says it all; this is an inspiring look at how individual efforts can save lives, solve problems and make a huge difference.

Master storyteller Garrison Keillor gives us yet another wonderful book about a little piece of America that he has made very real over the years. In Pontoon: A Novel of Lake Wobegon, he introduces us to the late Evelyn, dedicated churchgoer, devoted mother, and serious quilter, who also turns out to have a secret life with a Las Vegas man. All of Keillor's characters have a lot going on besides baking biscuits or hanging out at the local bar. These people, eccentric though they may be, are utterly endearing—a bit like the author himself.