
Just the Right Book with Roxanne Coady
Just the Right Book is a podcast hosted by Roxanne Coady, owner of famous independent bookstore R.J. Julia Booksellers in Madison, CT, that will help you discover new and note-worthy books in all genres, give you unique insights into your favorite authors, and bring you up to date with what’s happening in the literary world.
Latest episodes

Nov 8, 2018 • 1h 20min
Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom
2018 marks 200 years since the birth of Frederick Douglass, and we now have the first major biography of Douglass in a quarter century. Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom by prize-winning historian and Yale Professor David Blight is based on nearly a lifetime of research as well as letters and private documentation to which no biographer has previously had access. It’s this revealing collection that helped shed new light on Douglass, particularly in the latter third of his life.

Oct 11, 2018 • 34min
"Paper Chase" Author's Latest Novel Explores a Fractured Love Story
In John Jay Osborne Jr.'s new novel, "Listen to the Marriage" we are introduced to a couple who seemed to be destined for divorce. Told through the therapist's eyes, we see the couple both confront and skirt issues that have torn them apart. The former screenwriter and legal professor joined Roxanne to talk about his first novel in 37 years, his decade of experience writing in Hollywood, and how his own marriage counseling 35 years ago helped him "understand my wife for the first time".

Oct 4, 2018 • 50min
Past #MeToo: Constraints & Imbalances That Shape Women's Lives
Bestselling National Book Award finalist Kate Walbert stopped by the Just the Right Book studios for an in depth interview on her latest book which Roxanne calls "gorgeous, restrained, and powerful." The 149 page novel is a timely story about a 15 year old girl, a charming and manipulative English teacher, a dark secret and how the protagonist Jo confronts a trauma many years later.

Sep 26, 2018 • 28min
How Doing Nothing Can Make You More Productive
Alan Lightman is a physicist, novelist, and essayist who believes we are losing ourselves in the digital network and builds a case that the overload of Information and distraction from technology is making us less productive. The MIT professor joined Roxanne to discuss his latest book In Praise of Wasting Time. Lightman believes we need a mental attitude that values and protects stillness, privacy, solitude, and personal reflection, or at the very least, a half an hour a day to "waste time".

Sep 20, 2018 • 1h 12min
Anne Bogel Would "Rather Be Reading"; Lithub.com's Book Picks & More
We were delighted to welcome Dan Sheehan, the Bookmark's editor at Literary Hub to discuss what books are hot right now, and his debut novel, Restless Souls. Also in this episode, we welcome back the creator of the popular blog Modern Mrs. Darcy and the podcast What Should I Read Next?, Anne Bogel. Anne spoke to Roxanne about her latest book I'd Rather Be Reading, her experience as a bookseller...for a day, and what books she is currently loving!

Aug 31, 2018 • 26min
Senator John McCain in His Own Words: A Tribute
Senator John McCain recorded the last chapter of his book, The Restless Wave: Good Times, Just Causes, Great Fights and Other Appreciations earlier this year and all of us at Just the Right Book thought the finest tribute would be to honor the true American patriot in his own words.

Aug 29, 2018 • 42min
Sarah Jessica Parker Talks New Imprint, SATC’s Impact on Women & More
Sarah Jessica Parker who is best known for her iconic role as Carrie Bradshaw is also a producer, designer, and now a publisher, recently launching her own imprint, SJP for Hogarth. In a rare and revealing interview, the Sex and the City star opens up to Roxanne on several hot topics. They discuss not only the imprint, but the series’ impact on the role of women in society, the importance of pay equality for working mothers, and recent movements #MeToo and #TimesUp.

Aug 23, 2018 • 1h 11min
Mark Salter on McCain's Legacy, Presidential Run & His Vision for America
In part two of Roxanne’s powerful sit-down with Mark Salter, the two dive further into "The Restless Wave", the latest collaboration between Senator John McCain and his longtime aide, speechwriter and friend, Mark. Salter shares his first-hand story of McCain's 2008 run for president, including his VP choice, and we hear Senator McCain himself read the last chapter of the memoir.

Aug 22, 2018 • 34min
John McCain's Co-Author, Mark Salter on a Great American Patriot
Mark Salter is the author, with John McCain, of several books, including Faith of My Fathers and their latest, The Restless Wave: Good Times, Just Causes, Great Fights and Other Appreciations. Salter recently joined Roxanne for an intimate conversation in the historic town of Castine, Maine to discuss his thoughts on the Trump presidency, foreign policy, his latest collaborative memoir with the Arizona Republican, and more.

Jul 26, 2018 • 30min
Gail Honeyman Says "Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine"
Reese Witherspoon has a reputation for celebrating women's stories through "Reese's Book Club x Hello Sunshine" so its no surprise that the Legally Blonde actress has optioned Gail Honeyman's novel for the big screen. The first-time author opens up to Roxanne about how a milestone birthday inspired her to pursue her dream which led to her multi-award winning book "Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine" about loneliness and the importance of human connection.