Wednesday, July 16th, the Schuler studio was overflowing with friends, relatives and fans of debut Young Adult author Christina Meldrum. Her new novel, Madapple, is an exceptionally written and intricatley researched cross-over title (read: adults will love it, too!) as part literary mystery, part botanical thesis.

Tuesday, July 15th, famed mystery/romance writer Iris Johansen teamed up with her true-crime writing son, Roy, for their first ever written collaboration, Silent Thunder. Fans poured over them both, asking many questions about their professional relationship and the fates of many of Iris's previous characters.

Here is what fun some of the parents and kids were having at the Gymtrix demo at Schuler Books on 28th St. Pick up one of the many Gymtrix DVDs available to do at home! Build "physical literacy" with your youngster today!

Local author Ann Byle presented her new Plainfield Township book in the Studio of our Alpine Ave. store. Ann's talk includes a fascinating historical summary of the area and generated a lively Q&A and discussion session.

Schuler Books and Music of Okemos threw a 10th Anniversary Celebration for The Legend of Sleeping Bear on May 3rd. Special guest illustrator Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen was on hand to talk about his newest books W is for Woof and Bambi’s First Day. He also talked about what a long and fun journey the last ten years have been for him and for his author wife Robyn, who also joined in the fun and signed copies of her books for fans.

Gordon Henry, MSU professor and member of the White Earth Chippewa Tribe of Native Americans, visited Schuler Books and Music of Okemos in early May to read poetry from his newest book The Failure of Certain Charms and Other Disparate Signs of Life. The poetry and prose within The Failure of Certain Charms was influenced by traditional songs and ceremonies and held the audience captivated while being performed by Gordon.

Schuler Books in Okemos was pleased to host baseball writer Peter Schilling, Jr. on April 26th as he talked about the research and passion that went into penning his first book The End of Baseball, a novel about what could have been the best team in baseball history.

Detroit News anchor Robbie Timmons recently spent a Saturday morning at the Schuler Books in Okemos signing copies of her new book Twoey and the Goat. Many of Robbie’s horse loving fans came out to get a copy of this charming children’s book about the true story of friendship between a racehorse named Twoey and a goat named Kidd.

Our Alpine Studio was the setting for author Trish Ryan's discussion and signing of her inspiring new memoir He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not. A lengthy chat session followed her reading as she and her readers got to know each other better..

William Merrill, former Asst. Prosecuter under Archibald Cox during the Nixon administration, was in the Grand Rapids Schuler Studio on Tuesday, May 20 to talk about his book Watergate Prosecuter. Grand Rapids Press reporter Pat Shellenbarger spoke on his behalf due to Mr. Merrill's verbal limitations. A full house in the studio made for a lively question and answer at this great event.

Young Adult Fantasy Author Bryan Davis stopped in to Schuler Books on 28th St. for a book signing on Saturday, May 17th. Legions of his fans came to pay tribute to him and to pick up his new book, Beyond the Reflection's Edge.

Former FBI Special Agent Mike German spoke to a fascinated group at our Grand Rapids store recently. His tales of undercover counterterrorist operations brought the subject matter of his book, Thinking Like A Terrorist, to vivid life.

Sue Collins Thoms delighted the young (and young-at-heart) readers in the audience during her recent appearance in Grand Rapids. Her delightful picture book, Cesar Takes A Break, about a classroom iguana that gets loose during spring break, was a bit hit with her school-aged readers, many of whom were on spring break that day.

Kris Radish sipped wine with her fans on April 11th at Schuler Books in Okemos. Searching for Paradise in Parker, P.A., Kris’ latest book and her hardcover debut is a poignant tale of inspiration and friendship from this adored author.

Nevada Barr recently spent a Sunday afternoon at Schuler Books in Okemos visiting with over one hundred fans and signing copies of her newest book Winter Study. Winter Study brings Nevada’s beloved park ranger heroine Anna Pigeon back to Michigan for more Isle Royale mystery adventure!

Best selling author Lauren Myracle spent the day in the Lansing area on March 25th. She visited Haslett High School and talked to over seventy students about writing, being published, and her books! That evening she came to Schuler Books to reach out to more of her fans and sign their books. Lauren is the author of the young adult internet girls book series including TTYL, TTFN, and L8R, G8R, and the intermediate reader series featuring our favorite growing girl Winnie including Eleven, Twelve, and the newly released Thirteen.

Mohammed Ayoob, University Distinguished Professor of International Relations, Michigan State University, came to Schuler Books in Okemos to discuss his newest book The Many Faces of Political Islam. Illustrating how divergent political Islam is and how difficult but important it is to understand it, Professor Ayoob gave a very significant and relevant talk.

Members of the Get A Clue Mystery Reading Group at the Okemos Schuler Books enjoyed a visit from best-selling author Nancy Martin. Nancy currently writes the Blackbird Sister’s Mystery Series, but throughout her career has authored over fifty popular works of fiction!

On March 30, our Lansing location hosted the cooking event of the year with Billy Strynkowski, the executive chef of Cooking Light magazine. Billy entertained the crowd of "foodies" with a lively cooking demonstration of two recipes - Cambodian Summer Rolls and Curried Crabcakes - from the new Cooking Light Complete Cookbook. Our Chapbook Cafe also prepared samples to taste of the crabcakes and the white chicken chili featured in the cook book. Yum!

On February 28, over 60 knitters filed in by the fireplace at our Lansing store for a One Skein Wonders knitting project, led by local knitting instructors Lynn Hershberger and Rae Blackledge (owner of Rae's Yarn Boutique)! Overflowing onto benches, stools and the floor, knitters from beginner to advanced learned how to make a quickie cell phone holder out of extra yarn laying around the house (in this case, provided by Schuler Books!). The first 10 guests won a knitting gift bag from Storey Publishers!

On February 21, the Lansing store's GET COOKING! series presented a cooking demo by Eric Villegas, Lansing-area chef and host of the award-winning PBS Show Fork in the Road. Eric was promoting his accompanying cookbook, also titled Fork in the Road, a 2008 Michigan Notable Book! Eric demo'ed the killer fondue recipe from his book, while guests sampled the book's Cream of Grilled Tomato Soup and Double Apple Galette recipes.

Author Wendy Walker filled our studio at the 28th St. store with many women in similar situations to those she writes about in her debut novel, Four Wives. Wendy, among others, left her high-powered career to raise children. She thought she could utilize what she learned in the boardroom and apply it to her own home as do many moms and moms-to-be. Four Wives tells the tale.

Lauren Myracle's fresh and funny take on what it's like to be a teenager was a big hit with her fans in the Grand Rapids Studio. She was asked many questions about her new book, Thirteen, and its main character Winnie Perry.

Grand Rapids native John Sellers returned to his hometown to speak to a group of friends and fans in the Schuler Studio. The occasion was the paperback release of his book, Perfect From Now On: How Indie Rock Saved My Life. John's very successful first book is part memoir, part music criticism, part something else altogether.

On February 18 our Lansing store hosted a Girls Night Out with breakout author Eileen Cook in celebration of her debut novel Unpredictable, a fun, cheeky piece of chick lit in the vein of Jennifer Crusie or Sophie Kinsella. About 40 ladies turned out to share in wine and goodies and a spirited discussion with Eileen about life, love and chick lit. Local spiritual advisor Bobbie Langdon gave the ladies individual tarot card readings as well, in a fun twist on the books' focus on psychic readings!

On January 17, our Lansing store kicked off Get Cooking! 2008, its popular cooking series, with a visit from the local authors of Raw Health. The ladies brought samples of raw food treats and did a short demo on creating a nutritious but tasty raw food smoothie!

On January 24, we continued our Get Cooking! focus on healthy eating with a visit from health foods expert Kimberly Lott Stewart, author of Eating Between the Lines. Kim gave us a well-needed lesson on deciphering food labels and ensuring that "health food" choices really are healthy.

More than three dozen people came to Schuler in Okemos to have their calendars signed or slobbered on by the stars of the 2008 Bark 'n' Buff calendar! We enjoyed pawprint cupcakes and raised money for Pet Support Services, a charity that helps terminally ill people keep and take care of their pets. Special thanks to everyone who came out on a snowy night to support a great cause, and for the models who had the guts to bare it all for Bark 'n' Buff!