Steven Brill, John Carter Cash, Judy Collins, Jacques Pepin, And Philippa Gregory!

Dear Readers,

Coming up at R.J. Julia:

Steven Brill Class Warfare: Inside the Fight to Fix America's School System
Don't forget to sign up for a talk with Steven Brill, Monday night at The Study at Yale Hotel (it's free!).  Steve Brill is a gifted journalist and in this new book he manages to relay the complexity and magnitude of the school system problems.  The Connecticut Council for Educational Reform is co-sponsoring this event and we hope you will join us at The Study at Yale Hotel in New Haven for a lively and meaningful conversation about the challenges and possibilities for our educational system.  Click here.

John Carter Cash House of Cash

Last spring I had the great pleasure of meeting and interviewing Roseanne Cash when we hosted her during her tour for Composed.  I found her so utterly captivating and interesting that she had me completely hooked the minute we started talking.  John Carter Cash will be here October 20th, and I can't wait to meet another of Johnny Cash's talented offspring.  John Carter Cash has gathered together previously unpublished photographs, lyrics, art, notes, and recollections from the Cash family archives.  It can be interesting to hear the personal details of any father-son relationship, but I, for one, am particularly curious to learn about this one.  If John Carter is half as charming as his sister, this will be a superb evening. Click here.  

Judy Collins When You Wish Upon a Star and Sweet Judy Blue Eyes

I feel proud to say I've been at the same job for 21 years, but Judy Collins has been a musician for 50!  Her success and the sheer longevity of her career almost boggle the mind.  She has played such a vital role in the landscape of the last 50 years that I almost get chills thinking about the impact she's had, and the kind of musician and kind of woman she is.  The idea that we get to have her in little old Madison is pretty spectacular.  Not only does she have a new children's book, When You Wish upon a Star, but she has just published her memoir, Sweet Judy Blue Eyes, which is being reviewed as 'a vivid, highly evocative memoir of one of the reigning icons of folk music'.  She joined us last year for Somewhere over the Rainbow and it was a fantastic event.  We can't make any promises, but last year she sang a couple tunes for us and if I had to bet, I'd put my money on hearing her sing again this year.Be sure to reserve a front row seat! Click here. 

Jacques Pepin Essential Pepin

As a long time friend of the store, brilliant chef, and local favorite, we would happily carry anything by Jacques Pepin.  But as always he has produced yet another remarkable book.  I encourage you to check out Essential Pepin and see for yourself.  Often when people think of Jacques, they think Classic French cooking.  This book has that, but it also has a remarkable range, from dorm food (pita pizza- surprising from him, but of course delicious) to roast goose with all the trimmings, to home-cured ham (cooking time - 8 months).   Another special feature about this book is Jacques' tips and tricks interspersed throughout the book - they make you feel like he's right there coaching you along as you cook.  And if you want to truly feel like he's right there cooking with you, Essential Pepin also comes with an instructional DVD!  Reserve your seat to hear one of Madison's best by clicking here.

Philippa Gregory The Lady of the Rivers

I know there are a lot of authors coming this month, but I also know many of you are die-hard Philippa Gregory fans.  I want to make sure her visit doesn't slip under your radar!  Mark your calendars for Saturday October 29th for a wonderful event with one of the most well-known historical fiction authors around. Click here.  

See you in the store,

Roxanne