JULY 15, 3:00 p.m. … special children’s STORY TIME, craft & booksigning. Local author and illustrator JUNE ATSUKO MARTEL does a story time, reading her new book IN MY DAY to the kids. This children's book helps kids experience the sights and feelings of contrasting cultures in a nostalgic era by spending a day with a girl from Japan and a boy from America. June will also do a Japanese paper craft with the kids.

JULY 17, 7:00 p.m. … THIRD THURSDAY WORDS, featuring local artist, writer, performer and spoken word master JASON GRAHAM, aka MOSLEY WOTTA. Join us for what’s sure to be a great performance. I really encourage you to give this event a go. Graham is phenomenal performer and was featured in The Bulletin earlier this year. Those over 21, come on down and enjoy complimentary wine or beer … those under, we’re happy to share Coca Cola, tea or water.

JULY 19, 2:00 p.m. … I will be at the Tower Theatre selling TODD PARR’s books in conjunction with his STORY STARS presentation for the Deschutes Public Library. I'll be selling at the table before as well as after, when Todd will also be at the table to sign books. His many colorful children's books include the Otto series (OTTO GOES TO THE BEACH, OTTO GOES TO BED, etc.) as well as others, including READING MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD and a perennial favorite with the three- to five-year-old set, UNDERWEAR DO'S AND DON'TS. Tickets to this event are free, but are required, so be sure to pick up yours at the library.

JULY 21, 6:00 p.m. … Federal public defender STEVEN T. WAX is in the store to discuss his book KAFKA COMES TO AMERICA: FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE IN THE WAR ON TERROR, A PUBLIC DEFENDER'S ACCOUNT. Wax masterfully delivers a harrowing story of the erosion of civil liberties after the September 11 terrorist attaches in a powerful testimony that reads like a thriller. Wax’s book follows the story of two men he represented, both victims of post-9/11 conterterrorism measures.

And at the end of the month we have our BOOK CLUB (JULY 28 at 6:00 p.m.). Our book for July is the Oscar Wilde classic THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY. Reading this you can see why it was scandalous at the time (it first appeared in Lippincott’s Magazine in 1890). Immerse yourself in a classic and join us on the 28th for a good discussion and some wine. Speaking of classics, I finally watched the 2005 film version of Pride and Prejudice last night. While I’m not usually a fan of movies adapted from books, I must say it’s a delight to see Mr. Darcy come to life!

Top sellers in the store … moving fast are David Sedaris’s WHEN YOU ARE ENGULFED IN FLAMES, David Wroblewski’s THE STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE, Jhumpa Lahiri’s UNACCUSOMED EARTH, Salman Rushdie’s THE ENCHANTRESS OF FLORENCE, Richard Bartlett’s MATRIX ENERGETICS: THE SCIENCE AND ART OF TRANSFORMATION, William P. Young’s THE SHACK, and Stephenie Meyer’s TWILIGHT and NEW MOON, which are likely moving in anticipation of the fourth book in Meyer’s TWILIGHT series.

Speaking of the TWILIGHT series … that fourth book in the series, BREAKING DAWN, is released on August 2. We have a few cases coming in and will do a midnight selling for those of you who just cannot wait to get your hands on a copy! So, fans, mark your calendars for August 1 at 11:00 p.m., when we open the doors late for Meyer fans! We can begin selling the book at midnight. If you would like to reserve your copy just give us a call or send an e-mail.

Want to see your name in print?? Just fill out a CUSTOMER RECOMMENDATION and share your favorite books with the community! We have the little shelf tags in the store and would love to hear what you’ve read and loved .... just stop on in to pick one up.