Barrett Bookstore

Books & Authors

Author B.A. Shapiro Talks About Her New Novel ‘The Lost Masterpiece’ at Darien Library, Oct 5

By DARIENITE.COM | October 2, 2025

An enigmatic painting. The powerful woman who created it. Will they both be lost to time? Darien Library and Barrett Bookstore welcome author, B.A. Shapiro, who will discuss her new book, The Lost Masterpiece. — an announcement from Darien Library and Barrett Bookstore

In an utterly compelling novel about an enigmatic painting, B. A. Shapiro tells a riveting story filled with thrilling plot twists, taking us deep inside a circle of famous painters in late-nineteenth-century Paris, centering on the anguished Impressionist artist Berthe Morisot — the one woman in their midst who never got her due.

Books & Authors

UPDATE: Get a Reward by Touring CT’s Independent Book Stores: Your Driving May Keep Them Thriving

By David Gurliacci | April 26, 2018

Barrett Bookstore is joining 20 Connecticut bookstores to celebrate INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE DAY! For many of you who have trouble driving past a bookstore, here is a great opportunity to get on the road and visit as many of the unique independents scattered through the state as your time and energy permits. UPDATE:

Here’s the list of bookstores and the map:

Here’s the map. If you eliminate the five farthest flung bookstores from here (or just about, because I-95 makes everything to the south a bit “closer”) then you can take a trip east on Saturday and,when bookstore hours are shorter, a trip north on Sunday. How’s that for a strategy?

News

Kids Can Play ‘Where’s Waldo’ at 25 Stores All Over Darien This Month

By David Gurliacci | July 14, 2016

Where’s Waldo? In Darien of course. The famous children’s book character in the striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting 25 different local businesses throughout our community this July. Those who spot him can win prizes, including buttons, book coupons and more. From Barrett Bookstore at Noroton Heights Shopping Center, 314 Heights Road to Wiggles & Giggles at 1074 Post Road, from SoNo Baking Company at 49 Tokeneke Road to Chocolate Works at Goodwives Shopping Center, Waldo figures will be well hidden in local business establishments.

Barrett Bookstore

Meet the ‘Ladies of Summer’ — Three Novelists with Great Summer Reading Coming Out

By David Gurliacci | June 29, 2016

Barrett Bookstore will host a special evening Wednesday, June 29 at 6 p.m. at Wee Burn Country Club, 141 Hollow Tree Ridge Road, Darien: “The Ladies of Summer” event will feature three authors who have books coming out just in time for great vacation reading. “Back by popular demand, this is the second year we have organized this evening,” said Sheila Daley, owner of Barrett Bookstore. “It is a lot of fun to hear the authors discuss the backstory of their new novels—all of which have summer themes.”
Dorothea Benton Frank: ‘All Summer Long’
In Dorothea Benton Frank’s “All Summer Long,” prominent New York designer Olivia Richie and her husband make plans to retire to Charleston, SC. where Nick wants to return to his roots and enjoy a slower life style. Olivia is not so sure.

Business

Kids Can Play ‘Where’s Waldo’ at 25 Stores All Over Darien This July

By David Gurliacci | June 23, 2016

Books & Authors

Moby, a Former Darien Resident, Coming to Stamford to Talk About His New Memoir

By David Gurliacci | May 12, 2016

Moby, the singer/songwriter who grew up in Darien, will talk about and sign copies of his new memoir, Porcelain, when he visits Stamford next Saturday, May 21, and tickets are available now. Barrett Bookstore and Franklin Street Works are hosting the evening event (which begins at 6:30 p.m.) at 41 Franklin St. in Stamford. Tickets are $35 apiece or $50 for two (and you get a copy of the book, which has a list price of $28). According to the Biography.com website: “Soon after his father’s death, Moby’s mother, who was then only 23 years old, moved the family to Darien, Connecticut.

Books & Authors

Jane Hamilton photo thumbnail by Leslie Brown 4-10-16

Bestselling Novelist Jane Hamilton at Barrett Bookstore on April 21

By David Gurliacci | April 20, 2016

Bestselling author Jane Hamilton, whose new novel, The Excellent Lombards (to be released April 19), has been chosen as Barrett Bookstore’s Spring Book Club selection, will be at the store at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 21. “Each season we select a book that we have loved and invite the author to come and speak about their work,” said Sheila Daley, owner of Barrett Bookstore, at 314 Heights Road, in the Noroton Heights Shopping Center. The event will be formatted as an ‘in conversation’ with Carol Anshaw, another author who visited Barrett Bookstore when her novel, Carry the One, was published in 2012. “Everyone is welcome,” Daley said. These evenings have become very special — a chance to hear some wonderful writers talk about their craft. I am a huge fan of Jane Hamilton and we are so excited that she is coming.”

___________

— This is an announcement from Barrett Bookstore. ___________

Two of Jane Hamilton’s earlier novels, The Book of Ruth and Map of the World were chosen by Oprah Winfrey for her immensely popular Book Club and became New York Times bestsellers.

Books & Authors

Markus Zusak, Author of ‘The Book Thief’ Visits Darien on Monday

By David Gurliacci | March 12, 2016

Barrett Bookstore is pleased to welcome Markus Zusak to Darien on Monday, March 14, as part of his ten city tour to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the publication of The Book Thief, the international bestseller that has reached over 10 million readers.

Mr. Zusak will address the students at Darien High School. The book has been a staple, both in the Darien school curriculum and on summer reading recommended lists. “Darien High School is thrilled that our students will have the opportunity to meet such a popular and highly acclaimed author,” says Jackie Bennett, librarian at the school. Following this event, Zusak will sign copies of the special hardcover 10thAnniversary edition at Barrett Bookstore, 314 Heights Road, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
This keepsake version contains 14 pages of bonus content including marked-up manuscript pages, original sketches and pages from Zusak’s writing notebook, as well as a letter from the author and a new jacket. The public is welcome and copies of the new edition are available for pre-order at Barrett Bookstore.

Barrett Bookstore

Darien Author David Moore Talks About His Novel Feb 27 at Barrett Bookstore

By David Gurliacci | February 27, 2016

Author David Moore will talk about money laundering and his new crime novel at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27 at Barrett Bookstore, 314 Heights Road.

Books & Authors

Authors of ‘Forgotten Room’ at Barrett Bookstore 11:30 AM Friday for Book Signing

By David Gurliacci | January 21, 2016

Please join us Friday, Jan. 22 at 11:30 a.m. for a book-signing for “The Forgotten Room” by Karen White, Beatriz Williams and Lauren Willig. New York Times bestselling authors Karen White, Beatriz Williams, and Lauren Willig present a masterful collaboration, a rich, multigenerational novel of love and loss that spans half a century…. ____________

— a combination of announcements from the Barrett Bookstore website: and on Facebook. ____________

Set in New York City in alternating time periods, THE FORGOTTEN ROOM is a compelling web of secrets waiting to be untangled.

Books & Authors

Fun for Book Lovers at Barrett — Discounts, Wine & Refreshments, Meet Publisher Reps

By David Gurliacci | October 13, 2015

Barrett Bookstore, 314 Heights Road, Darien, will host a special evening on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. featuring representatives from the publishing houses Random House and Macmillan. Three of Barrett Bookstore’s favorite reps will present some of the best of their recently published titles as well as some old favorites that lend themselves to great discussions for Book Clubs. ______________

An announcement from Barrett Bookstore

______________

“This is a really fun evening, and we will offer 15 percent off any of the featured books purchased at the event, says Sheila Daley, owner of Barrett Bookstore. “It is a great opportunity to add titles to your wish list, gather ideas for your book clubs, and get a head start on the holidays with gifts for every reader on your list”.

Barrett Bookstore

Author on Keeping Personal Ties Strong as Technology Distracts

By David Gurliacci | October 6, 2015

An announcement from Barrett Bookstore:

Barrett Bookstore, in partnership with The Darien Community Association and The Darien Foundation for Technology and Community, is hosting an evening with Sherry Turkle at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 6 at The DCA, 274 Middlesex Road. Ms. Turkle is the Abby Rockefeller Mauzé Professor of the Social Studies of Science and Technology at MIT. A licensed clinical psychologist, she has been studying digital culture for over thirty years. Her initial enthusiasm for the new technology has been tempered by a disturbing effect that has become increasingly evident over time.

Books & Authors

‘Being Nixon’ Author Speaks 5 PM Sunday at Barrett Bookstore: Reserve a Seat

By David Gurliacci | October 3, 2015

Evan Thomas, former editor at large of Newsweek and bestselling author of Ike’s Bluff and Sea of Thunder, will be at Barrett Bookstore, 314 Heights Road on Sunday, evening, Oct. 4 at 5 p.m. to speak and sign copies of his new biography Being Nixon: A Man Divided. ___________

An announcement from Barrett Bookstore

___________

Everyone thinks they know Richard Nixon. His “Tricky Dick,” persona has come to define his perception. Mr. Thomas disposes of this version of Nixon and creates a three dimensional portrait of a complex man filled with both light and darkness.

Books & Authors

Author to Speak on Keeping Personal Ties Strong as Technology Distracts

By David Gurliacci | September 21, 2015

An announcement from Barrett Bookstore:

Books & Authors

Author Paula McLain Visits Darien Community Association on Tuesday

By David Gurliacci | July 27, 2015

An announcement from Barrett Bookstore:

Barrett Bookstore will host Paula McLain, author of the phenomenal bestseller “The Paris Wife” for the launch event of her keenly anticipated new novel “Circling the Sun” on Tuesday, July 28 at 7 p.m. at the Darien Community Association, 274 Middlesex Road. “The Paris Wife” was a huge book for us, and the favorite selection of many local book clubs,” says Sheila Daley, owner of Barrett Bookstore. “We feel privileged to have Ms. McLain come to Darien on the publication date of her new book.”

The Advance Reader Copy of “Circling the Sun” was quickly circulated among the staff at Barrett Bookstore with rave reviews from all. “One of the best books I’ve read in a long time!” says Tatum Fichthorn, one of the store’s avid readers. Set during the 1920’s and 30’s, “Circling the Sun” tells the story of Beryl Markham, a strong, intelligent and fearless girl growing up in the dramatic farmlands of Kenya.

Events Calendar

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