ALGONQUIN NIGHT is back – and Dorothy Parker herself would be jealous of all the Algonquin fun. And this time, there’s even some alcohol involved (Dorothy would approve). Algonquin Publishing of Chapel Hill’s book god and director of marketing Craig Popelars brings us another night of authors and books, wine and books, beer and books, books and books, and maybe even a song about Books & Books (if you heard the first ode last year, then you know it’s not to be missed). We’ll kick things off at 7pm with a blind wine tasting with Robin Goldstein & Alexis Herschkowitsch, the impartial experts behind FearlessCritic.com and the book The Wine Trials (Workman, $14.95 each). This breakthrough wine guide details the blind-tasted wines for less than $15. Sample each of the three wines tonight (now, now, just a sip or two) at our Courtyard bar and jot down your thoughts on each. Then we’ll head inside at 7:45 or so for the big “reveal” of which wine was which. You might be surprised. You just might have cheap taste (and that’s a good thing). Robin will share his insight from the wine trials world. And then it’s onto acclaimed novelist Brock Clarke, author of The Arsonist’s Guide to New England Writers’ Home. Brock is bringing us an exclusive early release of his brand new novel, Exley (Algonquin, $24.95). Even though Exley is earning praise already for its story of 9-year-old Miller and his search for his father’s favorite author, Frederick Exley, the book doesn’t have its official release until October. But we very lucky folks at Books & Books get a special sneak peak. You’ll be able to buy copies NOW – and get them signed, too. Exley is part literary satire, part mystery, wholly engaging. It’s not your ordinary book, and Brock Clarke is an extraordinary writer. And speaking of not-ordinary, Craig Popelars will also share the joys and wonders of Algonquin Publishing’s extraordinary fall book list. He dazzles us with the wit and wisdom of each book, using his own brand of wit and wisdom. This is the publishing house with the spot-on taste that brought you Water for Elephants, Mudbound, A Reliable Wife and oh so many more that you loved. Plus, if you buy ANY Algonquin book tonight, you’ll receive a FREE advance copy of one of Algonquin’s upcoming fall titles. It’s buy one book, get another book before you can even buy it. But wait, there’s more… Then we’ll head back to the Courtyard bar for the beer tasting with Robin & Alexis as they sign copies of their two books in the Courtyard and share their tasty beer insight from their brutally honest blind taste tests in The Beer Trials (Workman, $14.95). So, don’t miss a moment of Algonquin Night 2010 – great for book-club planning or just plain book planning. It’s a reader’s dream, a tasty treat, an evening for wine and words. Beer, too.