Books & Authors
Camerata Combat Love

CNN Anchor Alisyn Camerota to Discuss Her Book About Growing Up on the Jersey Shore

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CNN Anchor Alisyn Camerota will visit Darien Library on Sunday, Sept. 22, to discuss her new memoir, Combat Love, a personal story of growing up on the Jersey Shore in the free-range 1980s. — an announcement from Darien Library and Barrett Bookstore

Alisyn will be in conversation with Darien’s Page Berger. Longing for stability and attachment as the foundation of her family crumbled, Camerota finds the belonging she craves courtesy of a local punk rock band named Shrapnel and their diehard fans. Combat Love chronicles her near-misses and misadventures at clubs like CBGB and Max’s Kansas City, coupled with the sex, drugs, and punk rock of 1980s New Jersey.

Barrett Bookstore 2024
Battle of Ink and ice by Darrell Hartman most of book cover (square)

Frostbite and Fake News: Author to Discuss His Book About Clashing Arctic Explorers and New York Newspapers

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Author Darrell Hartman is coming to Darien Library on Sunday, Sept. 8 to talk about his new book, Battle of Ink and Ice: a Sensational Story of News Barons, North Pole Explorers, and the Making of Modern Media. — an announcement from Darien Library and Barrett Bookstore

In the fall of 1909, a pair of bitter contests captured the world’s attention. The American explorers Robert Peary and Frederick Cook both claimed to have discovered the North Pole, sparking a vicious feud that was unprecedented in international scientific and geographic circles. At the same time, the rivalry between two powerful New York City newspapers—the storied Herald and the ascendant Times—fanned the flames of the so-called polar controversy, as each paper financially and reputationally committed itself to an opposing explorer and fought desperately to defend him.

A Taste of the World
Rowena Scherer A Taste of the World

Rowena Scherer to Discuss Her Cookbook, ‘A Taste of the World,’ at Darien Library

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Author Rowena Scherer will be at Darien Library to talk about her debut cookbook, A Taste of the World — a collection of international recipes for adults and families alike, taking families around the world in 60 dishes. — an announcement from Darien Library and Barrett Bookstore

Did you know that every cuisine tells a story? From the spicy curries of India to the rich pastas of Italy, every dish is a window into a culture’s soul. Growing up in Malaysia, some of Rowena Scherer’s fondest memories were cooking with her family. The smell of spices, the sound of butter sizzling, and the joy of making and eating good food was something she treasured and wanted to give to her own family.

Books & Authors
Annie Bot Book, It's Author Sierra Greer

Author Sierra Greer to Discuss Her New Novel — About a Female Robot and Her Human Owner

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Darien Library and Barrett Bookstore welcome author Sierra Greer on Tuesday Evening, May 21, in a discussion of her new book, Annie Bot. — an announcement from Darien Library

Come learn about this powerful and provocative novel about the relationship between a female robot and her human owner, exploring questions of intimacy, power, autonomy, and control. Annie Bot was created to be the perfect girlfriend for her human owner Doug. Designed to satisfy his emotional and physical needs, she has dinner ready for him every night, wears the pert outfits he orders for her, and adjusts her libido to suit his moods. True, she’s not the greatest at keeping Doug’s place spotless, but she’s trying to please him.

Books & Authors
Helen Simonson and two of her books The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club

Novelist Helen Simonson to Talk About Her Latest: ‘The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club’

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Calling all fans of Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand! Darien Library and Barrett Bookstore welcome author Helen Simonson on Wednesday evening to talk about her latest book, The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club. — an announcement from Darien Library

A timeless comedy of manners—refreshing as a summer breeze and bracing as the British seaside—about a generation of young women facing the seismic changes brought on by war and dreaming of the boundless possibilities of their future. It is the summer of 1919 and Constance Haverhill is without prospects. Now that all the men have returned from the front, she has been asked to give up her cottage and her job at the estate she helped run during the war. While she looks for a position as a bookkeeper or—horror—a governess, she’s sent as a lady’s companion to an old family friend who is convalescing at a seaside hotel.

Anastasia Rubis
Anastasia Rubis' Oriana: A Novel Of Oriana Fallaci

Author Visits Barrett Bookstore to Discuss Her Novel About Journalist Oriana Fallaci

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Author Anastasia Rubis is coming to Barrett Bookstore to discuss her book Oriana: A Novel Of Oriana Fallaci, the first historical novel about the brilliant and glamorous Italian journalist Oriana Fallaci. — an announcement from Barrett  Bookstore

Fallaci blazed a trail for women in the ’60s and ’70s with her provocative interviews of world leaders and celebrities, but struggled in her personal life to find love and happiness. ​

Oriana is placed in the same category as Barbara Walters and Mike Wallace when naming the greatest interviewers of all time, but the story of her career and her great love is little-known in America — until now. Ms. Rubis will be in conversation with artist and architect Yanni Fotiadis. If You’re Going …

Barrett Bookstore 2024

A Challenge for Bibliophiles: See a Bunch of CT Bookstores This Weekend, Enjoy the Scenery, Maybe Win a Prize

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Twenty-one Connecticut bookstores are inviting you to the latest “passport challenge,” where book lovers get their special “passport” stamped at a slew of participating bookstores in the state — all in one weekend (with an exception — see below). They then become eligible for various prizes in one of several lotteries. This year’s Connecticut Book Trail Passport Challenge starts this Saturday, April 27. — an announcement from the organizers

What’s In It for You
After getting your passport stamped at a certain number of bookstores, you can be entered into lotteries to become eligible for various prizes. You don’t need to buy anything to participate.

Anna Gass
Anna Gass Italian snacking

Cookbook Author Anna Gass Discusses Her New Book on Italian Snacking — 3 PM Today, Sunday at Darien Library

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Darien Library, along with Barrett Bookstore, welcome back Anna Gass to discuss her new cookbook, Italian Snacking: Sweet and Savory Recipes for Every Hour of the Day.  Anna will be in conversation with cookbook author Kat Ashmore. — an announcement from Darien Library and Barrett Bookstorre

In her new cookbook, Italian Snacking: Sweet and Savory Recipes for Every Hour of the Day, chef, author and culinary influencer Anna Francese Gass invites food lovers and home cooks on a delectable journey through the heart of Italy, exploring the rich tapestry of flavors that define Italian snacking culture. Combining simplicity and creativity, at its best, Italian cuisine charms us through a combination of the highest-quality ingredients, simple recipes tied to the specialties of each region, and the experience of being at the table. Anna introduces the American audience to the complete range of spuntini, with recipes drawn from across the country. She shares recipes for spuntini di meta mattina (mid-morning snacks often enjoyed with a second — or third coffee); merenda, the cherished after-school treat for children (that also offers adults a way to stave off hunger before dinner); and aperitivi, delightful early-evening bites meant to be enjoyed with drinks.

Barrett Bookstore 2024
Zibby Owens author of Blank

Luncheon with Zibby Owens, Who’s Talking About Her Latest Book at Wee Burn Country Club on March 1

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Please join Zibby Owens for an in-person luncheon at Wee Burn Country Club on March 1 to celebrate the release of her new book, Blank. — an announcement from Barrett Bookstore
If You’re Going … The event takes place from 11:20 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Friday, March 1, 2024 at Wee Burn Country Club, 410 Hollow Tree Ridge Road, Darien. Tickets cost $76.54 and are on sale now. Register here.