George Mason University’s Center for Consciousness and Transformation joins Fall for the Book in welcoming Representative Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) on Sunday, September 30, at 4 p.m. to discuss his inspiring new book, A Mindful Nation: How a Simple Practice Can Help Us Reduce Stress, Improve Performance, and Recapture the American Spirit. By slowing down and paying attention, Ryan says, we can create a dynamic new vision for America—together. (See related story in The Washington Post here.) This event will take place in Harris Theatre on Mason’s Fairfax, Virginia, campus.

And earlier in the week, a panel of political scholars will consider the various visions for America at stake in the coming elections — and the mindset of the people who will be entering the ballot box. Fall for the Book’s 2012 Election Panel will welcome four scholars to offer in-depth perspectives on the issues at stake for the politicians, the parties, and the voters: David Maraniss, author of the new biography of the president, Barack Obama: The Story; Scott Keeter, director of survey research at the Pew Research Center and co-author of A New Engagement? Political Participation, Civic Life, and the Changing American Citizen; Linda Killian, journalist, senior scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and author of The Swing Vote: The Untapped Power of Independents; and Elizabeth Price Foley, professor of constitutional law at Florida International University College of Law and author of The Tea Party: Three Principles. This event is on Friday, September 28, at 1:30 p.m. in Research I, Room 163, on Mason’s Fairfax Campus. Sponsored by Gale Cengage.

For regular updates on additions to this year’s Fall for the Book festival — September 26-30 — please bookmark our website at www.fallforthebook.org or join our mailing list by entering your email address in the box at the upper left of our homepage.