Beginning today, Starbucks is giving its customers a reason to curl up and enjoy fall by selling Mitch Albom’s new novel, For One More Day, at its company-operated stores in the U.S. and announcing Starbucks Book Break, a nationwide discussion day on October 26, 2006, to encourage communities to come together to read and engage in meaningful discussion about this book.

On this day in a flagship store in each of 25 major markets, Starbucks will host a customer-led book discussion group. A discussion guide, complimentary coffee, and a reserved table will be provided for customers wishing to participate in this unique event by joining with other passionate readers to discuss For One More Day. Information about Starbucks Book Break, including times and locations of participating flagship locations in 25 major markets, is available online at www.starbucksbookbreak.com.

“Community is incredibly important to Starbucks, and we want to make it easy and fun for our customers to discover quality books as part of their daily coffee routines,” said Howard Schultz, chairman, Starbucks Coffee Company. “We think For One More Day will inspire conversations across the country, and Starbucks is the perfect place to host and foster these gatherings.”

Additionally, starting today, readers can participate in online discussions of the book by logging into www.starbucks.gather.com. Albom will participate in these discussions on a weekly basis, giving readers the opportunity to communicate directly with the author. Customers everywhere also can access Mitch’s exclusive interview with Ellen DeGeneres by logging onto www.starbucksbookbreak.com.