Kathy Reichs’ twelfth novel opens with America’s favorite forensic anthropologist, Tempe Brennan, regaining consciousness in a small, dark, space and discovering that her hands and feet are bound. She must reconstruct events surrounding three recent murders and the accusation that she mishandled an autopsy to determine where she is and who wants her dead. She speaks Wednesday, September 9, 2009.

In addition to revealing countless new insights into the biblical text, the book also serves as a travel guide for fascinating historical and archaeological sites. Author Mitchell Reddish speaks on Saturday, September 19, 2009.

Although Anne Frank’s diary is famous world-wide, few readers know that it is a deliberate work of art. During her last few months in hiding, Anne Frank furiously revised and edited her work, hoping to publish it after the war. Prose explores the diary’s creation and its unique afterlife as one of the world’s most read – and controversial – books. She speaks Tuesday, September 29, 2009.

Milner’s book, Darwin’s Universe: Evolution from A to Z (University of California Press, 2009), features Darwin’s original discoveries and hundreds of never-before-seen illustrations from the history of science. At The Smithsonian Associates on Wednesday, October 7, 2009.

In honor of his show’s 10th anniversary, Brown presents Good Eats: The Early Years. From “Pork Fiction” (on baby back ribs) to “Citizen Cane” (on caramel sauce), every hilarious episode is represented. The book includes behind-the-scenes photos, recipes, techniques, food-science information, and more food jokes and trivia than you can shake a wooden spoon at. He speaks Wednesday, October 14, 2009.

Mario Livio explores the historical debate surrounding mathematics and the universe: is math a human invention, or a cosmic – possible divine – order that we simply discovered? At The Smithsonian Associates on Saturday, October 17, 2009.

Best-selling author Audrey Niffenegger tells the captivating story of twin sisters who move to an apartment near London’s Highgate Cemetery and are increasingly drawn into the complex and mysterious lives of their neighbors. The novel explores the nature of identity, love, sisterhood, and the tenacity of life – even after death. Niffenegger speaks on Thursday, October 29, 2009.

Santamaria celebrates the art of 19th century American painter Frederic Church. Among his extensive travels abroad, Church spent time in Ecuador and Colombia painting their spectacular beauty. The book reveals new facets of Church’s life, including diary entries that offer a fresh and fascinating look at the natural life of Colombia and Ecuador. He speaks Tuesday, November 3, 2009.

Biologist, conservationist, Emmy-winning producer, and TV host Jeff Corwin provides a riveting first-hand look at rare wild animals – species with only 100 individuals left in the wild, from the Bornean orangutan to the Sumatran rhino. Along the way, he shares animal adventures and battles waged in defense of earth’s most threatened creatures. He presents on Thursday, November 12, 2009.

With over 100 photographs, Torrey’s book captures the majestic views and haunting stone formations of this sacred place. The book includes an introduction in both English and Spanish by Marie Arana, a writer at large for the Washington Post and a native of the Peruvian coast. At The Smithsonian Associates on Monday, November 16, 2009.

Historian Lars Brownworth reveals the legacy of Byzantium and its capitol, Constantinople, in his first book. From public hospitals to walk-in clinics, female doctors, primary education for both sexes, Constantinople bequeathed a towering legacy. At The Smithsonian Associates on Wednesday, December 2, 2009.