Don't be sad that summer is almost over, be excited because we have some fabulous, exciting events for both adults and children planned for you. Please scroll down (and keep scrolling!) to check them all out.

As always, if you are not able to attend an event in person, we would be happy to hold a signed copy for you or you can pre-pay for a personalized copy.

. books we recommend
from Deb ...
My twin daughters head off to college this week.  This morning, as I review the items we've packed, I wonder if I have prepared them well.  At this point, I can only hope that I have. Am I ready to let go?  I am not sure - some days yes and some days no.   These last couple of days I have been throwing advice at them like Frisbees, hoping that they will catch them and hold on.   "Eat healthy", ''Make exercise and study a routine" and most importantly "Stay safe" and "Make good choices regarding alcohol, drugs and sex".  We have always talked about these things and I have tried to be a Mom that speaks honestly and openly to my kids about everything.  Maybe too much, because mostly what I am getting back this week is "Mom, enough already, I know all this.  I am going to be fine."  And eventually, I will be too. 

The Doctor's Complete College Girls' Health Guide by Jennifer Wider, MD
A great reference for everything from eating right and mild health issues to drugs and sex.  I love that they even give questions to ask when you go to the campus health care center.  Don't forget the first aid kit!!

Letting Go: A Parent's Guide to Understanding the College Years by Karen Levin Coburn and Madge Lawrence Treeger
What I am reading now and probably should have read earlier.

When should parents encourage independence? When should they intervene? What is different about today's college environment? This book is a great resource for answering many of those difficult questions.

old series
Just received in the used book cellar are some great old series - Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Cherry Ames. So if you are missing titles from your collection, or looking to start collecting, now is the perfect time!

candidate action figures
Once the Olympics are over, the next big competition is the presidential one. Now in stock are Barack Obama action figures (McCain ones are on the way). Or if your canine pal is a Democrat, they can let everyone know with a "Bark for Barack" leash. Pair them with a "One State, Two State, Red State, Blue State" t-shirt for adults and kids and you are ready for the games to begin!

riley
Riley is an absolutely adorable (and very large!) 15 week-old Labradoodle. He was out and about meeting and playing with one of our former dogs of the week, Ginny, who is half poodle, half Shih Tzu (Shi-Poo) and was 12 weeks old when she came in to pick up Battle of the Labyrinth (Ginny is a huge Rick Riordan fan!) It's so much fun to have playful puppies in the store.