On Thursday, 30 May 2013 at 7 PM, Rakestraw Books presents 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.

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. Please call for further details.

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

Teresa Giudice, the breakout start of “Real Housewives of New Jersey,” visits Danville’s Rakestraw Books on Thursday, 13 June 2013 at 7 PM. to celebrate her new cookbook, Fabulicious!: On the Grill: Teresa’s Smoking Hot Backyard Recipes. This event will be a fundraiser for Children’s Hospital Oakland. Call for details.

On Saturday, 15 June 2013 at 4 PM, Rakestraw Books will be presenting a special afternoon with Nora Gallagher to 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.

Rakestraw Books welcomes bestselling novelist, Carl Hiaasen to 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. Call for details.

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

Educator Rafe Esquith returns to Rakestraw Books on Wednesday, 24 July 2013 at 7 PM to celebrate the publication of his new book, Real Talk for Real Teachers: Advice for Teachers from Rookies to Veterans: “No Retreat, No Surrender!” Call for more information.