A luncheon with author and political commentator Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC’s “Hardball,” is among the programs presented this week by R.J. Julia Booksellers of Madison.
At the event on Monday, Nov. 12, at 11:45 a.m. at The Hartford Marriott Downtown, 200 Columbus Blvd., Matthews, author of the biography “Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero”(Simon & Schuster,$16.99), will speak about his book and the importance of literacy. The event will benefit the nonprofit Read to Grow organization’s Greater Hartford programs.
Read to Grow, which was founded by Roxanne Coady, owner of R.J. Julia, distributes books to newborns at a dozen hospitals, including Hartford Hospital; Manchester Memorial Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital & Medical Center, and Middlesex Hospital.
Tickets: $100, which includes a copy of the book.
Information: 203-488-6800.
On Thursday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m., the bookstore, 768 Boston Post Rd., Madison, will present its free debut author of the month program, featuring Will Schwalbe, whose memoir is “The End of Your Life Book Club” (Knopf, $25). Upon learning his mother had advanced pancreatic cancer, they began a “book club,” reading books that helped bring them together through deeply personal conversations. Schwalbe was editor in chief of Hyperion Books and is a journalist and author.
On Monday, No. 12, at 7 p.m., Ken Foster, short story writer and author of “I’m A Good Dog: Pit Bulls, America’s Most Beautiful (and Misunderstood) Pet” (Studio, $17.50) and Alison Pace, novelist, essayist and author of “You Tell Your Dog First” (Berkley Trade, $15), will give free talks. On behalf of R.J. Julia, 10 percent of sales of these books on Monday will be donated to Friends of the New Haven Animal Shelter.
On Tuesday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m., Joan Wickersham, author of “The News from Spain: 7 Variations on a Love Story” (Knopf, $24.95) will give a free talk about her collection of short stories.
On Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m., at the bookstore, Jon E. Purmont will discuss his new biography, “Ella Grasso: Connecticut’s Pioneering Governor” (Wesleyan University Press, $28.95).
His book follows Grasso’s life, from being a child of immigrants to experiencing the Depression and World War II to becoming the state’s first female governor. Purmont, an author of history books and an emeritus professor of history at Southern Connecticut State University, was an executive assistant to Grasso.
He also will speak Thursday, Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m. at a West Haven Historical Society program at Congregational Church Fellowship Hall, 1 Church St., West Haven, joined by the governor’s daughter, Susanne Grasso. (Information: 203-932-0088).
On Tuesday, Nov. 13, at 6 p.m., he will speak at the Yale Bookstore, 77 Broadway, New Haven. (Information: 203-777-8440.)
Purmont’s talks are free.
One Book One Hartford
Marilyn Nelson, whose multi-award-winning book-length poem, “A Wreath for Emmett Till,” was the Hartford Public Library’s fall One Book, One Hartford selection, will give the free final talk of the project on Thursday, Nov. 8, at 6 p.m. at the Center for Contemporary Culture at the library, 00 Main St., Hartford.
State Poet Laureate from 2001-2006, Nelson has won many honors, such as the Frost Medal, presented for distinguished lifetime achievement in poetry.
Information http://onebookonehartford.org or 860-695-7401.
Feminism, Power and Laughter
Gina Barreca, UConn professor of English and feminist theory, and marketing expert and author Diane Meier will give a free talk on feminism, politics and the power of laughter Thursday, Nov. 8 at 6:30 p.m., at a Lichfield County Writers Project event at the Warner Theatre’s Nancy Marine Studio Theatre, 68 Main St., Torrington.
Barreca is the author of “It’s Not That I’m Bitter: How I Learned to Stop Worrying About Visible Panty Lines and Conquered the World,” among other books and has appeared on such TV shows as “48 Hours,” “The Today Show,” “Oprah.”
Meier is the author of “The Season of Second Chances” and founder and president of Meier Advertising, which specializes in luxury branding.
Information: lcwp@uconn.edu or 860-626-6802.
Williams-Garcia At UConn
Author Rita-Williams Garcia will give a free talk at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 12, in Room 217 in the Austin (CLAS) building on the University of Connecticut campus in Storrs.
Williams-Garcia is the author of four award-winning novels, which offer realistic portrayals of teens of color. She teaches at Vermont College.
The event is sponsored by UConn’s English Department and the Rightors Fund for Children’s Literature.
Oppenheimer At Webster House
Mark Oppenheimer will give a free talk at the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society’s Met the Author Series, at 227 S. Main St., West Hartford, on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. He will discuss his memoir, “Wisenheimer: A Childhood Subject to Debate” (Free Press, $16).
Oppenheimer, who lives in New Haven, is an author and writer for newspapers and magazines, and has taught religion and English at Wesleyan and Yale universities.
Information: http://www.noahwebsterhouse.org or 860-521-5362.
A Rich Tribute
On Tuesday, Nov 13, at 7 p.m., poets and writers from Connecticut and Massachusetts will present a tribute to the late poet and author Adrienne Rich at the Charter Oak Cultural Center, 21 Charter Oak Ave., Hartford.
John Stanizzi and Catherine Hoyser (Hartford); Ginny Lowe Connors, James Finnegan, Elizabeth Kinkaid-Ehlers (West Hartford); Lorna Cyr (Bristol); Donna Fleischer (Bloomfield); David Garnes (Manchester); Randall Horton (West Haven); Yehudit Heller (Amherst, MA); Leslie McGrath (Stonington); Nancy Otter (New Britain); Norah Pollard (Stratford); Bessy Reyna (Bolton); Kate Rushin (East Hampton); Jessica Treat (Sheffield, MA); and Faith Vicinanza (Wolcott)will take part in reading from and discussing Rich’s work and influence.
“Embraced by Her Common Words: A Tribute to Adrienne Rich” is part of the 8th Annual Celebration of Jewish Arts and Culture presented by the center. The suggested donation is $5.
Information: http://www.charteroakcenter.org.
Riverwood Poetry Series
The Riverwood Poetry series continues Thursday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. at Asylum Hill Congregational Church. 814 Asylum Ave., Hartford.
Brad Davis, author of “Opening King David: Poems in Conversation with the Psalms” (Resource, $24), will read. Davis edited “Sunken Garden Poetry 1992-2011” and edits Hill-Stead Museum’s online poetry journal, Theodate. An open mike will follow.
Admission is free but donations are gratefully accepted along with non-perishable foods for the church’s Crisis Food Support Program.
Information: http://www.riverwoodpoetry.org.
“Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi”
Brian Leaf, author of “Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi: My Humble Quest to Heal My Colitis, Calm My ADD, and Find the Key to Happiness” (New World Library, $14.95), will give a free talk Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 6:30 p.m. at West Hartford Public Library, 20 S. Main Street, West Hartford.
Leaf founded the holistic New Leaf Learning Center and teaches yoga and meditation. He lives in Northampton, Mass.
Information: 860-561-6990. The library will validate parking in the Isham Garage.
“Growing Up Patton”
Benjamin Patton, a documentary filmmaker who is the grandson of World War II Gen. George S. Patton Jr., will discuss his book about his father and grandfather on Sunday, Nov. 11, at 2 p.m. at The Hickory Stick Bookshop, 2 Green Hill Rd., Washington Depot. A portion of book sales proceeds will benefit New Horizons at Regina Laudis Monastery in Bethlehem.
“Growing Up Patton: Reflections on Heroes, History, and Family Wisdom” (Berkley, $26.95) is based on letters about duty, heroism and honor sent from 1939 to 1945 from the general to his son, then a cadet at West Point who later became a major general.
Information: 860-868-0525 or http://www.hickorystickbookshop.com .
Poetry And Creative Sustenance
The University of Connecticut’s Creative Writing Program will host poets Dennis Barone and Lewis Turco, who will read from their work at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12, at a Creative Sustenance event that benefits the Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic.
Barone recently edited “Garnet Poets,” an anthology of works by Connecticut poets, and teaches at St. Joseph’s University, West Hartford.
Turco, a contributor to “Garnet Poets,” is a graduate of UConn and author of “The Book of Forms: A Handbook of Poetics.” His poems, essays, stories, and other works have appeared major literary periodicals.
The free reading is co-sponsored with the UConn Co-op at the bookstore, 2075 Hillside Rd., on the UConn campus in Storrs. Donations to the soup kitchen are welcome.
Information: 860-486-5027.
Pilgrims, Puritans and John Davenport
Francis J. Bremer, author of “Building a New Jerusalem: John Davenport, A Puritan in Three Worlds” (Yale University Press, $40), a biography of John Davenport, one of New Haven’s founders, will speak Sunday, Nov. 11, at 2 p.m. at Center Church-on-the-Green, 250 Temple St., New Haven. Donations are welcome.
Bremer is a professor emeritus and author of more than a dozen books on colonial New England.
Information: 203-432-0909.
“Marketing Warfare”
Best-selling author and marketing expert Jack Trout will explain tactics for succeeding in the global marketplace, at a free talk at Fairfield University on Thursday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m.
His talk,”Marketing Warfare — How to Survive in Today’s Killer Economy,” will be held in the Quick Center for the Arts, on the Fairfield campus.073 N. Benson Rd., Fairfield.
Tickets are $25 or free to Fairfield University students and alumni. Information: 1-877-278-7396 or http://www.quickcenter.com.
Fall Showcase
Burgundy Books of Westbrook will present its Fall Showcase 2012 at Water’s Edge, 1525 Boston Post Rd., Westbrook, on Saturday, Nov. 10, at 12:30 pm. The event is free and open to the public. Lunch is available.
Four authors will be featured: L. Todd Wood, author of “Currency” (CreateSpace, $19.95); Annie Wilder, author of “The Other Side of Bitter” (XLibris, $15.95); Dr. Anselm Anyoha, author of “Automated Man” (Outskirts, $15.95) and S. Jane Scheyder, author of “Cafenova” (Andres and Blanton, $25.)
Information and reservations: 860 399-1706 or http://www.burgundybooks.com.
Celebrate Our Veterans
Authors Dodi Milardo and Debbie Kilday will be among those taking part in a Celebrate Our Veterans event on Saturday, Nov. 10, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Uncas Ballroom at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville. Their books will be among those at the Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association tables. Music, magic illusions, food, boutiques, raffles and family fun activities will also be part of the event.
Tickets are $20 and veterans and children under 14 admitted free. Guests who donate a suit for a job-seeking veteran will also get complimentary access. All proceeds benefit the Save a Suit organization and Operation: Music Aid.
