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I have been meaning to write to you since the first of the year and this snowy day seemed like the perfect opportunity. So at the risk of breaking the January 15th deadline of wishing you Happy New Year, please accept my belated warmest wishes for a new year infused with optimism, open minded debate, goodwill and good health.
Days like today (for those of you somewhere sunny - pretend it's a snow day without the cold and messiness) are great to start working on your taxes or read. Hmmmm, let's see... I think I'll chat with you about the reading part!
Since we've closed the store early today, let's start by pretending you are in the store and want to look at all our staff suggestions: just click here. This gives you the ability to respond to the mood you might be in: a quick can't-put-down read, a charming and smart read, an edgy new writer or your favorite author's new book - there's bound to be one that clicks for you.
Or here are some other thoughts - books that everyone is talking about and live up to their hype:
S.P.Q.R by Mary Beard (Who knew a 600-page book about the Roman Empire could be a can't-put-down middle of the night read!)
Books that I wish more people would talk about and read:
Honeydew by Edith Pearlman (The most charming, smart, unconventional love stories about people invisibly in our midst.)
Fortune Smiles by Adam Johnson (This Pulitzer Prize winner has an original voice that is darkly hilarious and heartbreaking.)
If you find yourself with only snippets of time to read, my favorite new short story collections are American Housewife by Helen Ellis and A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin. These are perfect to have around to dip into a satisfying, thought provoking read. Of course, there is also the ever-surging popularity of coloring books...
We all know that 99.9% of the time, the book is better than the movie, so with that, I suggest you pick up any of the following titles before heading to the theater: The Martian by Andy Weir, The Revenant: A Novel of Revenge by Michael Punke, The Big Short by Michael Lewis, 13 Hours by Mitchell Zuckoff, Brooklyn by Colm Toibin, Room by Emma Donoghue, The Danish Girl by David Ebershoff, In The Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick... I'll stop there.
As you can imagine, there are piles and piles of books in my house that I mean to get to, want to read, read again, or new titles coming out this year to get a jump on (one can never have too many books!). It is on days like today that it is a thrill that all these choices are at my fingertips --- like a big delicious four-course meal to indulge in.
Speaking of indulging, this morning Kevin and I braved the weather and walked down Whitney Avenue to a new adorable restaurant -- Crepes Choupette recently opened by the charming Adil Chokairy (check out their Facebook page). We had delicious buckwheat crepes -- one filled with figs, arugula and brie, and the other with Gruyere, ham and egg. They also have sweet crepes: raspberry and white chocolate or peanut butter, banana and Nutella, for example. Walking in from the cold and snow into the fragrance of warm crepes and the French-accented welcome, I was reminded of the way in which small businesses and entrepreneurs like Adil, with their intrepid enthusiasm and passion, add immeasurably to our communities and lives. This past holiday season at R.J. Julia was one of our best ever, and not only because so many of you shopped with us, but because we heard your stories, reconnected, and felt the buzz of people feeling like a part of a community -- our loyal community of readers, families, and friends.
2016 promises to be a year of momentous political activity and we are here to provide events and books that here to inform or provoke you. Or, if you want to be distracted, join us for fun events with Kate Hudson (tickets available now), Anna Quindlen, Lesley Stahl, and Stephen Coss, just to name a few (tickets available soon!).
There will be a ton of extraordinary new books and hot new debuts: The Girls by Emma Cline, The Nest by Cynthia Sweeney and new novels from Pat Barker and Jim Harrison, just to name a few. Most importantly, 2016 will be our 26th year of working hard and with great joy to help you find the right book that will charm, educate and entertain you.
After you dig out tomorrow, stop by!
See you in the store and stay safe,
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Roxanne J. Coady
P.S. Speaking of delicious meals, Kevin made this yummy and simple (easy for me to say--Kev made it!) vegetable bean soup from a Jacques Pepin recipe:
Hearty Vegetable Bean Soup
As soon as the outside temperature dips below 50 degrees, I can't wait to make this vegetarian soup, which is ready in about half an hour. What goes into it is usually determined by the contents of my refrigerator: onions, leeks, scallions, carrots, celery, and salad greens are all good. Canned beans make it sturdy enough for a main course.
For a comforting lunch or dinner, serve with grated Gruyere on top and chunks of country bread as an accompaniment.
4 Servings (about 6 cups) - 4 cups water
- 1 medium leek, split, washed, trimmed (retaining most of the green) and cut into 1/2 inch pieces (about 2 1/2 cups)
- 1 cup peeled and diced (1/2-inch) carrot
- 1 cup peeled and diced (1/2-inch) white turnip
- 1 cup diced (1/2-inch) celery
- 2 tablespoons good olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 can (15.5 ounces) cannellini beans
- 1 cup grated Gruyere cheese, preferably an aged variety
- Pieces of baguette or sturdy country bread
- 4 sprigs fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Combine the water, leek, carrot, turnip, celery, oil and salt in a large saucepan or pot. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce the heat to low and boil gently for about 12-minutes. Add the beans, including the liquid, and bring to a boil again. Boil for a few minutes. Serve in bowls with a generous sprinkling of grated Gruyere and a parsley sprig (if desired) on top and bread alongside.
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