and a very special mission for kids and reading.  If you are a James Fan loyalist you will want to pick up his latest, CROSS COUNTRY.  This is the latest edition of the extremely popular Alex Cross series.  to learn more about this book or others series the he writes visit the official James Patterson website.

But what you might not know is that James Patterson, inspired by his son’s lack of interest in reading, has made it his mission to get kids reading.  Visit Read Kiddo Read to view reading recommendations for kids of all ages which is a great place to start. Why not sit down this weekend and get your kids involved in picking out a book on this site.  Leave it to James to take it a step further he has a series devoted to the adolescent reader, Maximum Ride.  He targets this series for 8 years and older but the reviews are in for those in the 24/8 world that they are great.

latest novel on line?  Yes, you read that correctly, best selling author Alexander McCall Smith is serializing his next novel, CORDUROY MANSIONS, on line and letting us read it as he goes.  There are currently 48 chapters completed and ready to view.  The most interesting part of this delightful idea is that we can comment on the novel and who knows it might influence how the story unfolds. 

This is another great idea brought to you by a very popular author.  To view the chapters on line at, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/exclusions/alexandermccallsmith/nosplit/alexandermccallsmith.xml.  There is even a contest that might let you be the next serial novelist on line.

24/8 wants to thank you Andrew for letting avid readers and fans follow along as the next book takes shape.  It is a novel concept and we applaud you for taking this journey.

THE CHRISTMAS SWEATER, with a unique multi-media  blitz.  The television and radio personality has thought of everything, it is available as a book right now in stores, as an audio book, collector’s autographed edition and you can see Glenn as he tours the country in THE CHRISTMAS SWEATER bus, go to his website to find out more about the tour’s upcoming stops, http://www.glennbeck.com.

But that is not the end of the multi-media claim.  Across the nation Glenn Beck is bringing this story to life in play format with a ten piece orchestra and a broadway gospel singer too.  To find out more about the book and his play schedule visit this link, Glenn Beck’s Play Tour Schedule and if you cannot make a live show then you can attend a filmed version at your local theater across the nation.

Chances are if you have a teen in your house or life they have been driving you crazy about the movie that starts its run this Saturday. This highly anticipated movies is adapted from the popular Twilight book series from author Stephanie Meyers. 

Specific Borders Book Stores are hosting Twilight parties on Saturday, November 15th, http://www.bordersmedia.com/twilight/releaseparty.asp?cmpid=SL_20081113_NR. There are going to be all kinds of events that might just be a great night for your Twilight experts.  Be sure to check with your local Borders to be sure they are participating.

The beauty of this event is that you can attend in your pjs and favorite bunny slippers too. The choice is yours via the phone or Webcast as well.  On Wednesday, November 5th at 8:00 pm EST join author Brunonia Barry as she holds a book club chat with friends and fans. 

To learn more about this event and find out how to participate, visit http://instantTeleseminar.com/?eventid=4864134.  It is a good idea to print off the instructions so you will be ready to go on Thursday.  You can even suggest a question prior to the event or during the event. 

What a great concept and a fun way to spend an hour with this author.  But if you can’t schedule this time into your day you can still listen to the event anytime after by following the directions for the webcast at the link above.

to pick up the new book from football great Frank Gifford, it will be out in the stores today. This would be a great gift idea for those die hard football fans, sports historians or just those that love the history of sports in your life.  It takes a great one of the game and one of their own to open the doors  to those players that made the game great so many years ago. 

The book, GLORY GAME, is about the 1958 NFL Championship game.  Frank will be out and about signing books if you are located on the East Coast.  It is a great holiday idea and to have an autograph and meet the great Frank Gifford an added bonus for the gift giver. 

To find out more about Frank’s appearances click on the link provided to Kathy Lee Gifford’s site for  the details,   http://www.kathieleegifford.com/lamb04/messages/102408glorygame.php.

but hurry as this give away goes away this weekend with the opening of the movie.  Simply make sure you are signed up for the 24/8 mailing list and then answer the three questions in our Blue Plate Specials section by sending an email to falise@248bookclub.com.

Be sure to catch the opening weekend of this much anticipated movie that was adapted for the big screen from Sue Monk Kidd’s book of the same name.  With the all star cast and amazing soundtrack it is sure to have Oscar buzz.  To learn more about the movie visit the official movie site, The Secret Life of Bees.

Author Louis Sachar will be making a stop at Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville to celebrate the 10th anniversary.  HOLES might sound familiar to you if you have had children or grandchildren in your life during the last decade. HOLES as also adapted for the big screen so it should not be a unknown. 

On Monday, October 20th author Louis Sachar will stop by Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, IL at 7:00 pm.  to find about more about this event visit www.andersonsbookshop.com.  If you did not have kids that were age appropriate for HOLES and now you do take them by to meet Louis and to buy an autographed copy, you and the kids will enjoy this read.

The third installment in the Gregory Maguire unique Return to Oz books is available for purchase today.  A LION AMONG MEN is the cub that was rescued by Elphaba’s story.  The first book WICKED was the inspiration for the long running Broadway and touring musical WICKED.  The second book SON OF A WITCH continued that story and now A LION AMONG MEN is the third installment in THE WICKED YEARS series.   

If you have seen the stage production of WICKED you should read the book because they are not the same.  Starting with the first of THE WICKED YEARS books WICKED is a great way to return to Oz for those of us that grew up there.  But remember this is a very different tale conjured in the mind of author Gregory Maguire do not expect the story you read in Frank Baum’s books. 

To learn more about Gregory Maguire visit his website, Gregory Maguire.  With release of the new book Gregory is on the move so visit his website to see where he will be over the course of the next two months, Gregory Maguire Appearances. If Oz is not your thing don’t give up Gregory has explored other tales such as SNOW WHITE and CINDERELLA too.

24/8 just completed its book give away of three copies of THE DUCHESS, thank you so much to Random House for making that possible.  We hope you have gone out to see this film that is receiving Oscar buzz.

We are thrilled to announce a new book give away with details to be post at Blue Plate Specials on the site any day.  This time it is THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES by Sue Monk Kidd and our thanks go to Fox SearchLight for making this possible. 

But we would be remiss without mentioning that our 24/8 friend, Julie,  the Booking Mama that is featuring four, yes four book give aways going on right now.  They are for: I Like You, by Amy Sedaris, http://bookingmama.blogspot.com/2008/10/review-i-like-you-giveaway.html; Sarah’s Key, by Tatiana de Rosnay,  http://bookingmama.blogspot.com/2008/10/review-sarahs-key-giveaway.html; The Uncommon Reader, by Alan Bennett, http://bookingmama.blogspot.com/2008/10/uncommon-reader-giveaway.html; and Hannah’s Dream, by Diane Hammond, http://bookingmama.blogspot.com/2008/10/guest-post-diane-hammond-giveaway.html. 

Don’t forget that reading a great book can take you to a new place or introduce you to new characters or provide education on something you have been wanting to learn. And here we are offering you some opportunities to receive books with no strings attached.