R.J. Julia Booksellers


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Fri, 5/16 4 PM		Jerry Spinelli - Kids Smiles to Go

Wed, 5/21 7 PM		Carl Hiaasen - Golf The Downhill Lie

Tue, 5/27 7 PM		Robert H. Patton Patriot Pirates

STORE INFORMATION

RJ Julia Booksellers
768 Boston Post Road
Madison, CT 06443
203.245.3959
800.74.READS
books@rjjulia.com

Mon-Sat: 9am – 9pm
Sun 10am – 6pm

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RJ CAFÉ

Serving Lunch, Dinner, Homemade Pastries, Coffee and Tea
Mon-Sat: 9am - 9pm
Sun: 10am - 6pm

Managed by La Rosticceria, Carry Out Caterers

The RJ Café is proud to display unique art exhibits from the ALVA Gallery in New London, CT

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THE FAITH MIDDLETON SHOW ON WNPR

Faith Middleton

The Book Show
WNPR-Connecticut Public Radio
90.5 FM Hartford/New Haven
89.1 FM Norwich/New London
88.5 FM Stamford/Greenwich
91.3 FM Southampton
99.5 FM Storrs

"My book buddies, Roxanne Coady of R.J. Julia Booksellers in Madison, CT, Dr. Rose Quiello, lecturer in English at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, and enthusiastic reader Sally Gessner join me in the studio every two weeks. Occasionally Lee Jacobus, author and former professor at the University of Connecticut, drops in as well.

We tell you about the books we've enjoyed recently, and listeners are invited to tell us about your favorite books on line. E-mail us at faithwnpr@aol.com. Tell us in a couple of sentences about an all-time favorite book, or a recent great read, and why you love it. Adults and children are welcome! We'll read your letters over the air."

- Faith Middleton

RECENT BOOKS

Show Date: March 17th, 2006

ROXANNE'S PICKS:

The Female of the Species: Tales of Mystery and Suspense
by Joyce Carol Oates

A series of short stories, in all of them the female character is hardly the passive victim - rather she is the perpetrator of some rather nasty crimes. There is a bit of Hitchcock in Joyce Carol Oates' writing, and there is always a surprise. Fascinating, graphic, with a bit of grim humor - these stories are not for the faint-hearted.

The Dead Beat: Lost Souls, Lucky Stiffs, and the Perverse Pleasures of Obituaries
by Marilyn Johnson

This book is for those of you who love to read the obituary page in the local paper. Marilyn Johnson talks about how obits get written, who writes them, the interesting coincidences that occur, and the 'trends' in the field (doing portraits of 'ordinary' people, for example). She has a good eye and has collected some real gems. If you aren't an 'obit addict' now, you will be after reading this.

The Feminine Mystique
by Betty Friedan

I decided to re-read this, after reading Betty Friedan's obituary, and was surprised to find that it didn't feel dated at all (it was first published in 1964). In fact, I was struck by how little seems to have changed. Perhaps we will devote a show to discussion of this, so grab a copy and read (or re-read it).

Hip Hotels Atlas
by Herbert Ypma

A big, fat, delicious book that lists (mostly new) hotels, world-wide, that are special either because of their location, their design, or the food they serve. Filled with great photos, this will make you want to start traveling immediately.

Hotel Hobbies: 50 Things to Do in a Hotel Room That Won't Get You Arrested
by Marcus Weeks

And here is what you can do while staying at a 'hip' hotel - a book filled with 50 fun activities to amuse yourself (legally) while hanging out in your room - towel origami, tea bag puppetry, olive golf, to name a few. This should be standard issue in every hotel room!

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ROSE'S PICKS:

Atonement
by Ian McEwen

Set in England, in the 1930's, this is the story of the tale that thirteen-year-old Briony constructs, after seeing her older sister and the housekeeper's son out on the grounds. It is a lie for which she will atone for the rest of her life. A powerful novel with an ending that is confusing, satisfying, and post-modern.

The Art of the Mystery Story
by Howard Haycraft

For all of the mystery buffs out there who want to know a little more about how its done and what the tricks are to writing a good who-dun-it. This is a great book, and includes a collection of essays from some of the masters of the genre, instructions on how to write a mystery novel, and the care and feeding of the who-dun-it, among other topics. If you love mysteries, this will be irresistible.

When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times
by Pema Chodron

Written by Buddhist, and drawing heavily on Tibetan Buddhist philosopy, this book encourages you to rethink difficult situations, to explore the 'other path.' Remarkable, and not your everyday self-help book.

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SALLY'S PICKS:

The Glass Castle
by Jeannette Walls

A compelling memoir of a harrowing, chaotic childhood in an alcoholic, creative, and abusive family, told with grace, humor, and understanding. This book both engaged and enraged me. I loved it, but it is a disturbing, yet compelling story.

Winds of Change
The Old Wine Shades
by Martha Grimes

Two books in the Richard Jury series, linked because the last chapter of the first becomes the first chapter of the second. In Winds of Change, Jury investigates the murder of a young girl in London, which connects back to an earlier case in Cornwall. At the end, sitting in a pub, he hears the tale of a man whose son, wife and dog disappeared. Nine months later the dog reappears, which leads you into The Old Wine Shades.

Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog
by John Grogan

Grogan and his wife, newly married, decide to practice their parenting skills by getting a dog, Marley, who turns out to be 'a little bit different' yellow lab (forget laid-back!). A charming and special book, even if you are not a dog-lover.

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FAITH'S PICKS:

In the Company of the Courtesan
by Sarah Dunant

This is the latest book by the author of Birth of Venus (my favorite book from last year). I didn't like this quite as much, but it is still 'ever so much' worth reading because of Dunant's ability to write historical fiction. Set in the early 1500's, in Rome and mostly Venice, with an amazing cast of characters (many of them real), it is a vivid picture of religion, politics, and society in Renaissance Italy.

Made in the Southwest: A Shopper's Guide to the Region's Best Native American, Hispanic and Western Craft Traditions
by Laura Morelli

Laura Morelli, an art historian, researches and finds the authentic crafts of a place and what artisans are still doing those crafts in an exquisite way. This is the latest in her series (others include Made in Italy and Made in France) and is a perfect guide for travelers who like to bring home wonderful mementos of their journeys.

Insatiable: Tales from a Life of Delicious Excess
by Gael Greene

Mostly True: A Memoir of Family, Food, and Baseball
by Molly O'Neill

Two memoirs, just published, by noted food writers. The first, long-awaited, by the restaurant critic for New York Magazine is racy, poignant, and fascinating. The second, a very different approach, explores food, baseball (her brother is Paul O’Neill) and growing up as the eldest to five brothers.

St. James and Goldstein at Yale
by Seymour B. Sarason

Sarason, a psychiatrist at Yale, has written a novel about a legendary odd-couple friendship there. Candid, funny, and filled with the politics of Yale, you will enjoy it, especially if you have any knowledge or connection to the University.

Every Other Thursday: Stories and Strategies from Successful Women Scientists
by Ellen Daniell

A remarkable and candid book by one of seven highly accomplished women in the sciences who have met together every other Thursday for nearly 30 years. As 'The Group' they have solved professional problems together, and provided each other with support, discussion, and a common shared experience.

Cliffs of Despair: A Journey to the Edge
by Tom Hunt

Beachy Head in England is the site of an enormous number of suicides. Hunt, with a suicide in his own family, explores the 'why' of this place and finds that it has a fascinating - and compelling - history.

Final Fore: A Golf Lover's Mystery
by Roberta Isleib

This is Isleib's last golf mystery, set at Mount Holyoke College during the U.S. Women's Open. If you need a distraction from the real world, this is a great solution.

In My Father's Room: How War Changed Our Lives Forever
by Louis and Michael Steinberg

Louis Steinberg asked that his son turn his World War II letters into a book (he had written home to his family in New London every day). After his father's death, Michael did that, exploring as well his own anti-war sentiments, and how that affected his relationship with his father.
For more information on this book: http://www.blackrainpress.org/

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