Dear Gentle Reader,

A new month is upon us with new events! Next Saturday, August 9th at 11am, Val Nieman will discuss Upon the Corner of the Moon with Christopher Crosbie. At the dawn of the second millennium, two royal Scottish children are swept away from their families, Macbeth to the perilous royal court of his grandfather, and Gruach to the remnants of the goddess-worshiping Picts. Macbeth learns that blood bonds are easily severed while Gruach finds her path only to lose it when she’s summoned back to the patriarchal world. Upon the Corner of the Moon separates literary legend from reality, immersing readers in a story about the real rulers who changed the face of Scotland. This novel masterfully dovetails the Macbeth legend and the truth without sacrificing either. Christopher Crosbie is an award-winning professor of English at NCSU in Raleigh, specializing in Shakespeare and other dramatists of the English Renaissance.

Margot Lester is back on Wednesday, August 13th to help nudge you along with those writing projects you have been working on. Just pop in and confer with our favorite professional writer, and she will help get you back on track.

Festeggiamo! Join us for a special cocktail reception as we celebrate the newest book from Susan Gravely and VIETRI — Italy in a Glass on Wednesday, August 27th at 5:30pm.

Inspired by Susan’s travels and friendships in Italy, this beautiful book captures the Italian ritual of aperitivo—the late-afternoon pause to sip, snack, and savor life. Through stunning photography, heartfelt stories, and recipes for cocktails, mocktails, and small bites, Italy in a Glass invites you to bring that Italian spirit home. Italy in a Glass celebrates the Italian art of elevating the everyday. From hand-selecting fresh ingredients at the market to serving cocktails in heirloom glassware and setting a table aglow with candlelight, author Susan Gravely shares how the small, thoughtful details she discovered in Italy transform simple moments into beautiful celebrations. This book is an invitation to slow down, savor, and bring a bit of Italian magic into your own home.  Tickets are $150 and include aperitivi, antipasti, and a signed copy of Italy in a Glass. To purchase, click here.

The Local Palate is celebrating their Cookbook Club at Fearrington later this month with a pair of events featuring acclaimed cookbook authors Melissa M. Martin(Mosquito Supper Club) and Von Diaz (Islas) on August 21st and 22nd. Check out their schedule and more information here.

On Thursday, September 4th, The Our State Book Club is partnering with McIntyre’s Books and Fearrington Village to bring you an evening of lively conversation and storytelling with North Carolina author Georgann Eubanks and photographer Donna Campbell. They’ll share stories and behind-the-scenes moments from their many collaborative projects, including The Fabulous Ordinary, our July Book Club selection.

Enjoy light hors d’oeuvres, wine, and coffee while The New York Times best-selling author Wiley Cash leads an engaging conversation and audience Q&A. Meet Georgann and Donna, get your books signed, and enjoy this unique experience in the beautiful setting of The Barn at Fearrington Village. To purchase tickets, click here.

More next week–

The Usual Suspects,

Pete, Johanna, Sarah G,, Tyler, Amy, Sarah C. and Keebe