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

NEWS FROM RJ JULIA

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Faith Middleton Show

Our History

R.J. JULIA AWARDS


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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 Jacobis, 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: September 29th, 2006 (Originally aired on September 1st, 2006)

ROXANNE'S PICKS:

The Parliament of Man: The Past, Present, and Future of the United Nations
by Paul M. Kennedy

Paul Kennedy is one of the most fascinating historians to read, and here he talks, quite brilliantly, about the history of the UN (and the earlier League of Nations), its opportunities, what it has been able to do, and how it is a critical necessity for us to have such an institution.

The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation
by Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colon

A graphic version of the report which makes it indelibly visible. They authors have done an utterly brilliant job - great for teenagers, for anyone who wants to revisit the events from the perspective of 5 years. It's also a reminder of the value of a graphic novel - it gives the report a whole other dimension.

Clean House Clean Planet
by Karen Logan

If you are concerned about the chemicals that you use around the house, this is the perfect book for you. The author goes through many of the common cleaning solutions and what they contain, and then she gives you recipes for healthier alternatives, frequently made from everyday materials (baking soda, vinegar, liquid soap) explaining what they can and cannot do. You'll end up being much less toxic while still being clean.

Max's Words
written by Kate Banks and illustrated by Boris Kulikov

This is my new favorite picture book. I love the story and I love the illustrations. When Max's two older brothers refuse to share their collections (of stamps and coins), Max decides to collect words. Small words first that become sentences and stories - 'til his brothers decide that they do want to share with him after all.

Illustrated Oxford Dictionary
by Dorling Kindersley Publishing

This is a great dictionary for younger kids - a joint effort between Dorling Kindersley and Oxford University Press. Complete with 187,000 definitions and 4500 illustrations, it manages to present complicated definitions in a way that kids can understand. Also has great reference material to help with school reports.

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ROSE'S PICKS:

Hiking Out: Reflections and Stories Along the Way
by Dick Sederquist

By a local author, this is a compilation of essays, not just about his observations of nature and the surrounding environment, but also of his internal thoughts while hiking. A celebration of everyday life and the beauty around us. (Please note: this is an external link to Dick Sederquist's website.)

My Sister's Keeper
by Jodi Picoult

This is the story of the Fitzgeralds, a family with two children. Their daughter, Kate, has childhood leukemia and a third child, Anna, is conceived basically to save her sister's life. When she reaches 13, Anna begins to protest and hires a lawyer, and the novel goes on from there. Each chapter is told from a different person's point of view. Gripping and impossible to put down.

Fortune's Daughter
by Alice Hoffman

The story of Rae and Lila, 2 women in southern California, whose lives become intertwined through pregnancy and birth. The personal issues of loss and happiness take center stage against a backdrop of cataclysmic events.

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat: And Other Clinical Tales
by Oliver W. Sacks

One of my favorites of all time. Reading it makes me want to be a better person - his patients have incredible neurological diseases, yet Sacks manages to discover what is so special and wonderful about these people. Makes you look at disabilities at a different, richer way.

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LEE'S PICKS:

The One Percent Doctrine: Deep Inside America's Pursuit of Its Enemies Since 9/11
by Ron Suskind

Written in a highly readable style, this book gives insights into the current political landscape. Suskind talks about action versus evidence and how the Bush administration has reversed their normal order, and how this has led to current policies. Fascinating. Read it along with Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq (by Thomas E. Ricks, ISBN: 159420103X) and The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 (by Lawrence Wright, ISBN: 037541486X) to get a broad, informed view of what is going on.

Alexander Hamilton
by Ron Chernow

A gigantic, but fascinating book, of a fascinating figure in the founding of this country. Never president, but a brilliant writer, friend of Washington, one of the architects of our economy, a man of large sexual appetite, who died in a duel that was 'put up job' with Aaron Burr. If you love history you'll love this book.

Thus Spake Zarathustra
by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

If you saw 'Little Miss Sunshine' this is the book that the young boy is constantly reading. One of Nietzsche's signature books and his most popular, it introduces the concept of 'God is Dead' and of 'superman' - a concept that was twisted and perverted by the Nazis. A great classic.

The Love Songs of Sappho
by Sappho, translated by Paul Roche

Sappho is the legendary Greek poet whose poetry was known by reputation only until the 1890's. The poems are short, beautiful, simple on the surface, but elegant. A lovely little book.

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FAITH'S PICKS:

The Alibi Club
by Francine Matthews

This is a great thriller! By the author of The Jane Austen Mysteries, this is all about the dawning of WWII, a Coco Chanel model, and her boyfriend. It is set in Paris as the Nazi's are approaching, and is filled with history and intrigue. A definite thumbs up on this one.

Piano: The Making of a Steinway Concert Grand
by James Barron

Barron is a NY Times writer who has written a fascinating history of the Steinway Piano Company, exploring their famous basement and following the development of one particular piano from tree to concert hall.

A Wonderful Life: 50 Eulogies to Lift the Spirit
Edited by Cyrus Copeland

If you love farewell addresses and graduation speeches, here are 50 eulogies to lift your spirit. From Mickey Mantle to Fred Rogers to Julia Child to Jerry Garcia - these are fantastic to read.

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BRIEFLY MENTIONED:

Take a Deep Breath
by Carol Shields

These authors were interviewed on the show when this book first came out - it's a guide to using haiku as an entree into the state of meditation - a way to slow down and enjoy the moment. It has now been issued in paperback.

Happy Kid!
by Gail Gauthier

A novel for young adults that tells the story of a unhappy 7th grader whose mom bribes him to read a self-help book that turns out to be eerily accurate. By a Connecticut author and available in paperback.

Fat Free: The Amazing All-True Adventures of Supersize Woman!
by Jude Milner

A graphic autobiography, illustrated by Mary Wilshire, -- quite a riot. The story of how Jude Milner replaced self-loathing with self-confidence.

Don't Buy the Green Bananas: At Our Age We Can't Plan That Far Ahead
by E. Deryn Barlow

A paperback, also by a Connecticut author, that takes a humorous journey through the sometimes puzzling world of aging.

The Earth Knows My Name: Food, Culture, and Sustainability in the Gardens of Ethnic Americans
by Patricia Klindienst

The author (a master gardener at UConn) believes that one thing that unifies so many ethnic groups is the desire to have a garden, so she has traveled the country, visiting gardens of people from a variety of nationalities. She tells their stories, combining food and gardening, as a unifying element.

Exploring East End Waters: A Natural History and Paddling Guide
by Mike Bottini and Kevin McAllister

If you spend any time on the east end of Long Island and kayak or canoe, this is a wonderful book. This provides a great guide (with maps, picnic sites, and natural history) to the waters around the area and you can get more information from the website: www.hepdigital.com.