Jonathan Hull's first novel, Losing Julia was huge Rakestraw favorite a couple years back, we are absolutely delighted to be welcoming him back to Rakestraw Books as we celebrate the publication of his new novel, Distance from Normandy. Jonathan will be reading and signing on Thursday, 23 October 2003 at 7:00 PM. Please bring a friend and join us!

A trio of fine local mystery writers -- Penny Warner, Camille Minichino & Camille Johnson -- join us to present their newest books. These mystery panel discussions are always interesting providing not only a sense of each author's work, but also the chance to be part of an exciting and lively conversation. This event is presented as part of our celebration of Bay Area Writers with the California Writers Club. Please join us.
[Please note: Penny Warner is pictured.]

It is our pleasure to announce a morning's reading and signing with English novelist, Celia Rees. From the publication of her first novel in the US, Witch Child Celia Rees's fans have been faithful and avid ones. Her new novel, Pirates!, is sure to win her many more. This vivid and capitivating tale is the story of two young woman of the 18th century. Both are in flight from the lives society has laid out for them -- for one, a loveless marriage, for the other, slavery -- and have become pirates. Exciting, bold, and daring, these are some great characters. Meet them and Celia on Thursday, 30 October at 10:00 AM.

The San Francisco Chronicle's popular religion writer Don Latinn visits to talk about Following Our Bliss. As featured in this past Sunday's "SF Chronicle Magazine", the book is an insightful examination of the spiritual legacy of the sixties. Already arousing intelligent discussion around the country, the book is one of the most provocative of the season. Join us for what promises to be an enlightening evening of Thursday, 30 October 2003 at 7:00 PM.

Jonathan Stroud’s The Amulet of Samarkand arrived with an invitation from to meet the author at a dinner for booksellers at the Four Seasons in LA. When it wasn’t my turn to drive, I was swept away to Stroud’s vision of London and the story of an apprentice magician and the djinni he summons with one intention in mind: revenge. As powerful as young Nathaniel is, his power can not match that of the djinni, Bartimeus. Although Bartimeus succeeds in the task Nathaniel sets – stealing the Amulet of Samarkand – neither is completely prepared for the consequences.
It is our great joy to invite you to join us in celebratiing the publication of The Amulet of Samarkand by meeting the author Jonathan Stroud on Friday, 31 October 2003 at 10:00 AM.

To celebrate our thirtieth anniversary, Rakestraw Books “The Bookstore in Danville”™ is launching a major charity campaign on behalf the Danville Public Library. Our goal is very simple: working in association with the Library, the Friends of the Danville Library, as well as several local businesses, we would like to encourage the people of Danville and Alamo -- as individuals, families, businesses, and community groups -- to purchase a thousand books for the Danville Library in time for Christmas 2003.

Working with librarian Stephanie Van Ogtrop and her staff, we are developing wish lists from which we encourage you to choose or you may, of course, present a book of your choice. To get the campaign started, Rakestraw Books is donating the first hundred books. And to encourage your generosity, we are discounting all books purchased for donation by 20% and will be placing book plates with the donor's name in each volume.

In addition to our initial donation of books, Rakestraw Books is planning a number of other fundraisers throughout the Fall to benefit "A Thousand Books for New Year 2004" including a bake sale, a special author reading, and possibly an auction.

We welcome your support of this project. Together we can improve the Danville Library, our community, and our lives for many years to come. More news to follow . . . .

In addition to our wonderful brown paper Rakestraw Books Gift Certificates (available in any amount), we are pleased to be able to offer Booksense Gift Certificates redeemable in more than 1,200 independent bookstores nationwide. If we are unable to help you choose a book for your farway reader, a Booksense Gift Certificate is the way to go.