With the weather so warm throughout October and early November, many of us have not begun to think about the holiday season that's just around the corner. If you find you are behind in your holiday shopping, fear not! Everything you need is just a few miles from home right in Middleburg. So, support your local businesses and avoid the hassle of mall or mail shopping. If it's a special gift book you have in mind, you'll find it at Books & Crannies. For history lovers, we recommend Desperate Engagement: How a Little Known Civil War Battle Saved Washington, DC and Changed American History by Marc Leepson, and For Liberty and Glory: Washington, Lafayette, and Their Revolutions by James R. Gaines. In both of these thoroughly researched and well-written books there are fascinating details about the men and women who played significant roles in the history of our nation. From the prizewinning author of the bestselling Founding Brothers and American Sphinx, Joseph J. Ellis, comes American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic, a masterful examination of the founding years of our country. And not to be left off of any history buff's list is David Halberstam's The Coldest Winter, a significant historical title that explores the untold heroism and pathos of the Korean War and the politics that set it in motion.

At the top of our recommended list of biographies this season, you'll find Eric Clapton's autobiography entitled, Clapton: The Autobiography. Within its pages, one of the most revered and private figures in the history of rock, blues, and pop finally shares his astonishing life story. It's the perfect gift for any Slow Hand fan. We also recommend Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworth, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker, by Stacy A. Cordery. An intimate and revealing portrait of America's most memorable first daughter, Alice Roosevelt Longworth, this biography presents a detailed and richly entertaining portrait of the witty and whipsmart child of Teddy Roosevelt. The best non-fiction we've seen this season is by far is Alan Greenspan's Age of Turbulence: Adventures in a New World. With the distillation of a life's worth of wisdom and insight into an elegant expression of a coherent worldview, this book will stand as Greenspan's personal and intellectual legacy. New in fiction are four titles we highly recommend: World Without End, by Ken Follett (the sequel to The Pillars of the Earth); Home to Holly Springs, by Jan Karon (the first of the "Father Tim" novels in which a newly retired priest returns to his birthplace in response to a mysterious unsigned note saying simply: "Come Home"); Bridge of Sighs, Richard Russo's fascinating story about strange ways in which parents and children, friends and lovers connect; and David Baldacci's newest thriller, Stone Cold, in which recurring characters Oliver Stone and his Camel Club are back to save the life of a beautiful con-artist and solve a string of murders of Washington, D.C., political staffers. Gift books we love are The Curious Gardener's Almanac by Niall Edworthy, Ralph Lauren, by Ralph Lauren, a visually stunning book, in which the designer speaks candidly about himself and his art, The Lure of Loudoun, by Noel Grove, and Country Pursuits British, American, and French Sporting Art from the Mellon Collections in the Virginia Museum of Fine Art, by Malcolm Cormack. If a holiday-themed book tickles your fancy, you'll find what you're looking for in Caroline Kennedy's A Family Christmas - a charming collection of her favorite Christmas tales for those who love to celebrate the spirit of the holidays. Or cozy up with your little ones and travel to the Arctic for an Inuit Goldilocks with an original twist from Jan Bret's new picture book, The Three Snow Bears. In the story, Aloo-ki glances up from fishing to see her sled dogs floating off on an ice floe. She races after them and comes upon an igloo with nobody home--because the polar bear family is out walking while their breakfast cools off. See if you can guess what happens! For fans of "Russell the Sheep", you'll find Russell's Christmas Magic filled with heroic acts on Russell's part as he saves a stranded Santa and his sleigh with hard work and imagination. But our favorite children's picture book this season is not a holiday title - it's Toy Boat. As he did with The Little Engine That Could, artist Loren Long creates a world of toys and children that go right to the soul, in a story written by Randall de Seve of a toy boat that becomes separated from the boy he loves.