Fun, Prizes Await Fans Who Attend ’Brisingr’ Book Release Parties at Borders® and Waldenbooks® Sept. 19 and 20

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—With just four days to go until Christopher Paolini’s much anticipated book “Brisingr” is released, Borders is reminding customers to finalize their plans to attend its more than 700 exciting in-store midnight book release parties happening at Borders and Waldenbooks nationwide this Friday, Sept. 19. The parties start at 10 p.m. and culminate Saturday, Sept. 20 at 12:01 a.m. when the book officially goes on sale. To accommodate customers who cannot attend the midnight release parties but still want to celebrate the release of the book, an additional 170 Borders and Waldenbooks stores across the country will host special in-store activities Saturday morning, Sept. 20. For party details, visit www.borders.com and click on the “Store Locator” tab.

“Brisingr” is the third installment of Paolini’s Inheritance cycle about the farm-boy-turned-dragon-rider Eragon who must save the world from an evil king. “Eragon” and “Eldest” are the first two titles in the series. Borders expects “Brisingr” to be one of the hottest selling young adult titles of 2008.

“Christopher Paolini fans have been anxiously awaiting this book for many months,” said Borders Group’s Merchandising Director Diane Mangan. “Our parties—whether taking place Friday evening or Saturday morning—will provide customers with an opportunity to revel in their shared passion for Paolini’s work. It’s bound to be an experience they won’t soon forget.”

Midnight party attendees can expect to enjoy a host of activities throughout the night including an Inheritance cycle trivia and translation contest that will test the knowledge of even the most die-hard Paolini fans. Customers who know “Eragon” and “Eldest” from cover to cover will enjoy a quote contest where they will be provided a quote and challenged to give the name of the character who originated it. Later on in the evening, attendees can share their passion for the Inheritance cycle books by reading a favorite passage or sharing a story about their experience reading Paolini’s work during the “open mic” segment of the celebration. Throughout the evening, there will be prizes for contest winners, including special souvenirs and a chance to be first in line at midnight to purchase “Brisingr.” Customers attending morning parties at Borders and Waldenbooks can enjoy some of the same activities, including trivia and other contests and will, of course, be able to purchase copies of the book.

Customers awaiting the release of “Brisingr” can watch Christopher Paolini talking with fans about the Inheritance cycle and other topics on the “Borders Book Club,” the retailer’s online video book club. The episode can be viewed at www.bordersmedia.com/paolini.