OMG! Stock Up! On Books, And Games, And Booklights ...

Some forecasters are saying Sandy could be catastrophic for the East Coast. Town and state officials are asking you to be prepared.

Here's our advice: start thinking about whether you'll stay or go and plan appropriately. And start stocking up. And start with some items that you'll find useful whether or not Sandy hits us hard. On that list I'd include your favorite bottled water, your favorite food that doesn't need to be cooked, and a few great books, games, and some booklights.

For me, that means Evian, apples, and a trip to R.J. Julia Booksellers, located at 768 Boston Post Road in Madison, CT, in the center of the town's retail and restaurant district.

I checked in with R. J. Julia Store Manager Lori Fazio Friday, as the forecasters' voices were starting to sound like shrieking. With her usual smile and calm manner, she provided us with the following recommendations:

1. Booklights

2. Puzzles

3. Games. Suggestions here include "Chupacabra: Surviving the Night (ages 8+...2-4 players). Perfect for the Halloween mood!"

4. Books. Of course.

"This is a great time to catch up on some of our favorites," Lori said. They include

• The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
• Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore
• The Art Forger (then come meet the author on November 2)

If you're in the mood for something dark to celebrate the possible power outages just in time for Halloween, she suggests the following:

• Breed
• Something Red
• The Other
• Discovery of Witches
• Nightwoods

"All of the books are in our staff suggestions section," Lori said.

And one last suggestion: "Hone your magic skills with our kit, The Complete Magician."

Great idea. And then maybe somebody could wave a magic wand and make it go away?