May 2013

Debut novelist Helene Wecker visits on Thursday, 2 May 2013 at 7 PM as we celebrate the publication of her extraordinary first novel, The Golem and the Jinni. The fun starts with knishes and baba ghanouj and more at 6:30 PM. Please let us know if you're planning to join us. 

***JUST ADDED! We are delighted to be working with the Walnut Creek Library on an event with novelist Anchee Min on Tuesday, 7 May 2014 at 7 PM. She will be presenting her latest volume of memoir, The Cooked Seed. A book signing will follow.

***JUST ADDED! Rich McDrew and Mike Woodring from the Mt. Diablo Interpretive Association will join us on Tuesday, 14 May 2013 at 7 PM to share the MDIA's new "Trail Map of Mount Diablo State Park."

Our great friend Jonathan Evison returns to Rakestraw Books as we celebrate the paperback publication of his new novel The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving on Friday, 17 May 2013 at 7 PM. 

Novelist Jennie Shortridge visits Rakestraw Books on Tuesday, 21 May 2013 at 7 PM as we celebrate the publication of her new book, Love Water Memory. She will be joined in conversation by acclaimed novelist Erica Bauermeister.

Bestselling novelist, and Rakestraw friend, Annie Barrows returns to share her beloved "Ivy and Bean" series on Thursday, 23 May 2013 at 1:15 PM (for school groups) and 3:25 PM (open to the public).

We are honored to present an evening with award-winning historian and writer Nathaniel Philbrick as we celebrate the publication of his powerful new book, Bunker Hill: A City, a Siege, a Revolution on Thursday, 23 May 2013 at 7 PM. Details to follow.

On Thursday, 30 May 2013 at 7 PM, we are excited to present an evening with Dr. Victoria Sweet, physcian and author of God's Hotel: A Doctor, a Hospital, and a Pilgrimage to the Heart of Medicine.

June 2013

Danville resident, and former FBI deputy assistant director for counter-terrorism, Terry Turchie and Col. Ted Spain, former head of military police in Iraq, present their new book, Breaking Iraq: Ten Political and Military Mistakes that Broke Iraq on Saturday, 1 June 2013 at 4 PM. Details to follow.

Our Third Annual Book Group Festival will take place on Tuesday, 4 June 2013 at 10:30 AM. We will begin with staff members Julie, Susan, and Maria recommending books that a great for book group discussion. They will be joined by Random House sales rep Liz Willner. Then, at noon, we are delighted to host a special luncheon with author Maggie Shipstead as we celebrate the paperback publication of her first novel, Seating Arrangements.

Teresa Giudice, the breakout start of "Real Housewives of New Jersey," visits Danville on Thursday, 13 June 2013 at 7 PM. We'll be celebrating her new cookbook, Fabulicious!: On the Grill: Teresa's Smoking Hot Backyard Recipes. This event will be a fundraiser for Children's Hospital Oakland. Details to follow. 

On Saturday, 15 June 2013 at 4 PM, we will be presenting a special afternoon with Nora Gallagher as we celebrate the publication of her new book, The Moonlight Sonata at the Mayo Clinic. This event will take place at the Danville Congregation Church located at 989 San Ramon Valley Boulevard in Danville.

We're delighted to welcome bestselling novelist, Carl Hiaasen back to Rakestraw Books as we celebrate the publication of his new book, Bad Monkey, on Friday, 21 June 2013 at 7 PM. The fun will start a bit earlier with a special kids event with Mr. Hiaasen. Details to follow.

July 2013

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Joseph Ellis visits Rakestraw Books on Friday, 12 July 2013 at 7 PM as we celebrate the publication of his brilliant new book, Revolutionary Summer: The Birth of American Independence. This will be a ticketed event. Details to follow.

Educator Rafe Esquith returns to Rakestraw Books on Wednesday, 24 July 2013 at 7 PM as we celebrate the publication of his new book, Real Talk for Real Teachers: Advice for Teachers from Rookies to Veterans: "No Retreat, No Surrender!" Details to follow.

Celebrated novelist, and Rakestraw favorite, Andrew Sean Greer joins us on Thursday, 25 July 2013 at 7 PM as we celebrate his new novel, The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells.

Ray Walker is the only American winemaker working in the renowned French wine region of Burgundy. On Saturday, 27 July 2013 at 4 PM, we are going to celebrate his new book, The Road to Burgundy: The Unlikely Story of an American Making Wine and a New Life in France, with a special late lunch/early dinner (French menu!). Details to follow.

August 2013

We are honored to present a special event with writers Catherine and Tobias Wolff as they discuss a thought-provoking new essay collection: Not Less Than Everything: Catholic Writers on Heroes of Conscience from Joan of Arc to Oscar Romero. This event will take place at Christ the King Catholic Church located in Pleasant Hill on Friday, 9 August 2013 at 7 PM.

Novelist Meg Waite Clayton visits Rakestraw Books on Thursday, 15 August 2013 at 7 PM as we celebrate the publication of her new book, The Wednesday Daughters.

October 2013

Our great friend Andre Dubus III returns to Rakestraw Books on Tuesday, 8 October 2013 at 7 PM. He will be in conversation with celebrated novelist Alan Gurganus. Each of these extraordinary writers will have a new book out. This will be one of the great events of the season. Watch for details.

Journalists Kevin Cullen and Shelly Murphy visit Rakestraw Books on Monday, 21 October 2013 at 7 PM to discuss their new book, Whitey Bulger: America's Most Wanted Gangster and the Manhunt That Brought Him to Justice. Watch for details.

Simon Winchester, always one of our favorite guests, returns to Rakestraw as we we celebrate the publication of his new book, a study of American civil engineering, on Sunday, 27 October 2013 at 4 PM. 

November 2013

Celebrated cookbook author Patricia Wells returns to Rakestraw Books as we celebrate the publication of The French Kitchen Cookbook with a gala dinner on Friday, 1 November 2013 at 7 PM. Details to follow.

That's all for now (still, it's all really pretty cool. REALLY cool), but no doubt we will be adding more. Check back for details or give us a call at (925) 837-7337.