That August Weekend

In August of 1969, a disillusioned suburban housewife accidentally gets stranded at Woodstock for a life-changing weekend in this uplifting fish-out-of-water tale from the USA Today bestselling author of Let’s Call Her Barbie.

On the same morning Frannie Alpern learns of her husband’s affair, her teenage daughter defiantly sneaks off to a music festival in Upstate New York. At her wits’ end, Frannie’s plan to go get her sets off an unexpected chain of events: car trouble leads to hitchhiking with a van of teenagers, which lands them on a country road, clogged with half a million young people heading to Woodstock. Ironically, this same traffic jam that prevents her daughter from arriving also keeps Frannie from leaving.

Dressed for a country club luncheon, surrounded by bellbottoms and hippies, Frannie couldn’t be more out of place. She can’t remember the last time she had a weekend to herself and as the hours tick by, her anxiety unfurls into something that feels a bit like freedom. Sure, she’d prefer a comfortable hotel, but between camping out beneath stars with an intriguing rock photographer, getting to know her charming traveling companions, experiencing the generosity of strangers, and being swept up in the music, everything she feared about Woodstock now delights her. Frannie rediscovers who she once was. And who she could be again.

Sharply observed and joyously told, That August Weekend is a sparkling nostalgic story of how being at the wrong place at the right time can open up a world of possibilities while revealing who we truly are.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs