R.J. Julia Booksellers Blog

Hey Everyone -

Did you miss us? We are back from our post-holiday rehab (for Ghirardelli squares and home-baked goods – that’s what happens when you work with a group of women) and are looking forward to the calendar flipping over. [Teaser alert:] In January, I’ll be telling you about a book by a short story writer who’s decided to dive into the full-length novel pool – his new book is really fabulous and will end up on lots of award lists at the end of 2010.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. After I put my “Happy New Year’s” tiara back in storage, I’ll be gathering friends and family for a pretty neat event on Wednesday, January 6th. Our two wonderful Random House sales reps, Michael and Ann, will be presenting Graphic Literature: More than Manga and Superman. Why do I want you to come, too? Because 1) if you already read graphic novels, you’re going to discover some great titles you’ve probably missed; 2) if you only read “traditional” books, you’re going to be introduced to a new way to enjoy some wonderful fiction, biography, and current events titles; and 3) you’ll get to schmooze with two pretty smart industry insiders.

I’d always assumed graphic novels were all about crazy Japanese cartoon characters or Batman – either too bubble-gum pop or too dark and gothic for my tastes. Then I found myself stuck in a hotel with only one galley: Stitches, a memoir by David Small. “Ah, now I get it,” I said at 2:30 in the morning, when I’d finished it. A stunning, powerful story of stunted family emotions, secrets, and a young boy, this ranks as one of my top five books of the year – and certainly my favorite biography.  I gave it to my friend Tom, who runs Beacon Press – they publish the poet Mary Oliver, weighty tomes on serious current issues, and have won a slew of awards. And he loved it.

So I can’t wait for Michael and Ann to introduce me to more wonderful books: Persepolis, the story of the 1979 Iranian Revolution through the eyes of young Marjane; Asterios Polyp, a novel about a womanizing architecture professor who moves to the midwest after his Manhattan apartment burns down; A.D., one of the most wrenching tellings of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina; and more. I hope we’ll see you on the 6th – click here to sign up.

Karen