Such a lovely bookstore in a quaint little center of town and array of books small gift cards and in the back is a little luncheon place. the wooden floors in the old fashion feel inside is just wonderful there’s also an upstairs with an area you can sit and read. it’s an amazing bookstore and they have lots of guest Authors and many of times they’ve had very people. it’s definitely a great bookstore and you don’t have to be a reader to get joy visiting the store!

This place is magical! 🥰🤩🥰🤩 Im a HUGE bookworm and this is the most amazing book store in CT, 110%. I could/do spend a few hours in here, with my family, on our beach day trips. The staff is also top notch! A big thanks to them! You need to go here and experience this place. I cant describe it well enough to do it justice. 😍

Looking for a good book? Heres another independent bookstore to explore. Comfortable, friendly, well stocked. Staff recommendations. A cafe if youre hungry or thirsty. Give it a visit... youll be glad you did!

This is a great quaint little bookstore in downtown Madison Connecticut and it also has a little restaurant in the back so you can buy your purchases get a couple good books and then order some nice food and you can sit outside on the patio and get lunch and read your book at the same time. Very quaint local store.

Loved this bookstore. Been a patron for 25 yrs or so and they are as good, or better, than theyve always been.

One of the best locally owned bookstores in the country. Madisons Little gem. The knowledgeable staff is always eager to help you find just the right book. The second floor has space where you can peruse through your selections before purchase. The cafe in the back Has great coffee, tea and other more substantial offerings. Grab lunch and take in the outdoor seating area. RJ Julias is on the must-see list when visiting Madison

Everyone was so kind and helpful. I found some wonderful books and items to take home with me, and some good stories to look forward to reading. Thank you!

The most wonderful place, a must see. The cafe also has great food.

Great local cafe/deli. Home fries at breakfast were excellent. Many prepared meals ready to go just heat up or get them hot and fresh right away.

Always an excellent experience at this independent bookstore. The staff is incredibly helpful, the cafe has so many delicious treats. You could easily lose yourself for a few hours wandering the stacks and exploring all of the other wares they offer.

What a wonderful place to shop for books! My experience was enhanced by meeting one of my favorite authors, Lucy Burdette, whose new book, A Scone of Contention just came out that day.

Always a good place to browse and buy with the added benefit of a great cafe

Were always happy to support this local bookstore! They are always friendly and helpful in locating books that are rarely stocked outside of Jeff Bezos warehouses.

Much larger then you think, huge selection to choose from, and very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Highly recommend

Old time bookstore with mahogany style bookcases and old time store layout.

Its always nice in there!! A nice bookstore and other side has gifts and the back is the café. Staff always friendly and helpful!! A unique spot!!

One of my favorite places in Conn.

The employees will leave little notes describing some of the books they have read so other pimple can have a better idea of what they are about! It was such a cute store with so much to look at.

The book selection is amazing, the staff helpful and kind. The atmosphere of the store is cozy and welcoming.

One of the best book stores in New England. They frequently host authors for book signings.

What a beautiful bookstore! As you might expect from an independent bookstore, the selection is carefully curated. We found some interesting books including a signed copy of a book I’d been wanting. They also had a great selection of gifts for readers. I picked up a fun pen. The atmosphere is welcoming and invites browsing.

Great staff but unfortunately have not felt comfortable in the store social distancing-wise. The atmosphere that is usually so charming is simply too crampt to maintain six feet distance at any time. The booksellers are all lovely and are themselves always masked and at a distance but, sadly, I think that for the time being, RJ Julia should be online only. I am not sure who the owner is, but they should be holding the health of their customers and employees in higher regard than they are currently.

RJ Julia opened soon after my husband & I moved to Madison. It is a gem of a shop with knowledgeable, helpful staff & a wonderful selection of books. Its a lovely experience to spend a quiet hour perusing whats new.The cafe is also very nice - if youre lucky they will have a selection of Antonios cupcakes.

Great store, great cafe. Perfect place to browse. Love it.

An excellent independent bookseller with knowledgeable helpful staff.

RJ Julia is such a cute bookstore with a second floor for teens and children, a Cafe in the back, and a gift shop on the left. I would recommend it to anyone. Everyone there is very helpful!

A truly wonderful bookstore where literate people seem to congregate. They have an enormous range of books - something for nearly everyone. Each book title on the shelf is accompanied by a small card with a pleasant synopsis. In non-Covid times, they have a lovely little cafe in the back. This gem is curiously placed, embedded in a community that, politically, appears to support ignorance.

What a charming place! A great book selection with young adults upstairs. Very friendly staff! We ate at the cafe which seemed quite popular and I can see why! I had a panini which was delicious! Outdoor seating also available.

Absolutely the best bookstore you will ever find. Fabulous staff who are more than happy to help you. A favorite since they opened!

I always find something that peaks my interest. This trip was no different. They do not take Discover though.

Great little place & friendly, helpful, knowledgable, non- pressuring staff

From their in-store events to their extensive selection, this is an excellent independent bookstore along the CT shoreline. The staff is incredibly helpful and friendly as well!

Best place on the shoreline to buy books! The selection is always changing and if they are really helpful!

Very disappointed since the last time I went there. The espresso was cold, and I ordered a double, and I got a single. We also ordered a cappuccino, which tasted like a very light coffee without flavor. I dont think well go back.

Love RJJulia. Great books. Great staff

One of the finest small bookstores you will ever find. A great collection, carefully curated by the staff of serious readers.

LOVE independent bookstores!

RJ Julia’s is a bustling bookshop in the heart of Madison that regularly features celebrity authors. On this day, however, we stopped in after the Madison Garden Tour for a bite to eat in their cafe. It was pleasant to find Connecticut’s Shearwater Coffee on the menu among the unique food selections. A must try is the Grilled Cheese sandwich (panini) with fig and arugula. Just delicious. The salads are flavorful and you can have an Italian soda made up in your choice of flavor.

Friendly helpful staff, feels good to be in this local well stocked bookstore

A quaint book store in the center of Madison. The staff is friendly and helpful; as if youre a regular. The selections are well organized. I enjoy reading the handwritten blurbs by the staff under select books. The children look forward to finding their books too. As they walk upstairs they are welcomed with the same hospitality that their parents received downstairs. Get on their mailing list to hear about the many events theyre hosting!If you love books you will enjoy RJ Julias.

If youre like me and stare at the computer all day, why read a book on screen. RJ Julias is the perfect place to find your next book. The staff here is friendly and helpful. You can browse, read shelf talkers or they are happy to offer suggestions. The atmosphere is perfect, I wish I could stay the entire day. The other side of the store has the most beautiful, unique and fun gift ideas. Absolutely, do not miss checking it out.

This is our local go to for books and interesting birthday gifts. My 10 yr old daughter has enjoyed growing up with the childrens level, and now into YA. The other day we visited, she sat right down on the floor to read a book about Hedy Lamar, the actress/inventor. We love it here!

Lovely bookstore!

We just love this place. No better way to introduce children to get used/familiar with books than go in a library as beautiful as this one.The best thing is also wait for them to look around drinking a hot cocoa when is chilli out.Good and friendly service.Will be back.

The girl upstairs in the kid section was very helpful and knowledgeable in picking out some graphic novels for my 8 yr old

Great experience at an independent bookseller. Coffee shop at the location. Attended a book signing by Jeanine Cummins American Dirt. A wonderful treasure in the Madison community. Employees there truly love everything about books and authors, and provide great advice on selection.

Oh, yes! This is a bookstore/gift store boutique. The help are delightfully friendly and enthusiastic about their unique merchandise. And theres even a tiny little restaurant in the back. Always fun to go there.

Amazing local small bookstore. Ive been going to this place for 6 years and Ill go more. I love supporting local bookstores and this is one of the best ones. Great staff, friendly people, always willing to help you the cafe in the store is also great. They have the newest books and will get a book for you if they dont have it. Overall I love this store and recommend everyone go visit it.

Loved it, great selection, lots of new books and signed editions. Go check it out!

Fabulous, quaint little bookstore in a charming town. They carry a tremendous variety, including great depth in their history and mystery departments. The childrens sections is massive and carefully selected. They even carry signed first-editions from a variety of authors.It feels like an old fashioned bookstore, lined with dark wood shelves, festooned with antique special edition books, decorated with antiques, and full of displays using unique antique furniture.Its a must for any trip to the area.

I could spend hours here. Amazing selection. Helpful staff. Make sure to get a latte in the cafe before you browse.

Great bookstore

Fabulous store full of new books and classics as well as a whole childrens department AND cafe where you can get a delicious meal or just a coffee and biscuit. This is a must see if youre visiting from afar. And of course I support my locals.

You wont find a better bookstore! RJ Julias has the perfect atmosphere, knowledgeable staff and a great cafe. Plus, there is even a gift section with the most unique items for everyone.

Great to have a viable independent book store. Good selection of books plus extras. Helpful staff

RJ Julia is my favorite independent bookseller. I live in Rhode Island, but I still go to Madison, CT to get books from this charming store. Listen to the owner’s podcast, Just the Right Book - it’s terrific! Roxanne Coady knows books.

Amazing little bookstore. Very nice and knowledgeable staff.

Wonderful store AND delicious cafe (meals not just coffee). The owner also sells out many of her author events. I love hearing the guests share their writing and ideas.

RJ Julia is my favorite bookstore in Connecticut. Its got a positive vibes that stays with you for days.

R.J. Julia is more wonderful than you can imagine. It is a small beacon of light in a time of darkness. Its large stock of wonderful books isnt just randomly deposited by publishers or thoughtlessly chosen; it is carefully, brilliantly, and thoughtfully curated. Dont even waste your time with anything lesser: go to the real thing and patronize this wonderful institution.

We love this place. My wife and I literally spend hours there on weekends. Theres a great book selection. The staff is very courteous and helpful. We usually have lunch therr as well. We highly recommend it.

My husband and I stopped here during our road trip in New England. We loved the ambience of this store. If you have time you can spend a whole day here just browsing books. They also a have a cute cafe attached to it. If you are a book lover and happen to be in Madison, CT then this place is a must visit.

This bookstore is so old school with so many modern attitudes and things going on. They have unbelievable guest authors for book signings and other events. Theres a cafe in the back that has sandwiches, salad, soup and dessert. If you enjoy libraries holding books and flipping through pages this is a place to go. Expanded to a new store up on the Wesleyan campus in Middletown thats lovely too.

A great place for people who love books. Knowledgeable staff. Relaxing place to just browse. One of the best independent booksellers in the country.

Great bookstore. Wide selection of poetry, current fiction, history and public events. Great staff. You wont regret the visit.

I love books, consequently I love this store. So nice that it survived. The store just has a terrific vibe, great sales people.

Always a pleasant experience. I love being surrounded by so many books as well as great employees!

I’ve been to bookstores around the world. I try to always go to the independent bookstore first. So just to say I’m experienced this is an Amazing independent bookstore. Outstanding in every section but the upstairs birth- young adult section was beyond anything I’ve seen even in the big chains.

Great book store. Plus dont miss great coffee shop. Lunch fab. Desserts fantastic

Best bookstore in the state. Excellent cafe. Very knowledgable book people

Good selection and helpful knowledgeable staff

Attentive, excited, and knowledgeable staff who seem genuinely interested in the books and helping you. The shop itself is cozy with a nice varied selection of books, crafts, and kitsch.

Great little cafe inside inside the bookstore, food is great, the waitresses are sweet. The bookstore itself is warm and inviting with a nice selection. Have been to quite a few book signings here with author/celebrities, quite fun!

R. J. Julia is more than a bookstore. It is a cafe. It is a gift shop. It is in essence a gathering place for young and old. The authors brought I to speak appeal to all segments of our townspeople. We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful place in our town.

A very nice bookstore with all the latest thrills, I wish there were more bookstores like this one.

Great place to buy books!

Good selection of books and knickknacks. Nice to support an independent bookstore.

A really fun bookstore--love the handwritten cards recommending certain books and they cozy feel of the place. Large variety of books and excellent selection of quality picture books. Look at the schedule to see what author will be giving a talk next--they get some really good ones!

Special book store atmosphere is wonderful!

Best of the best book store. Staff makes great recommendations. Always spot on!

My husband the book reader loves this place. Great selection of fiction and non fiction books in addition to periodicals, greeting cards and candles and other small items made by local artisans. A little pricey but what isnt in Madison,CT. Sally, one of the last bookshops around.

Beautiful place for shopping books

Fantastic book store, was my first time there. I loved it lots of holiday shoppers, yet I was asked if needed help 3 times .The ladys working there were fun and helpful . This place has cute gifts, cards,games and a coffe shop .what could be better !

Colonial charm and decor mixed with excellent customer service. There is also an fun and exciting cafe inside! They get top tier authors for book signings from time to time.

Great place to explore your hunger for books. There needs to be way more of these kind of bookstores, but theyre few and far between.

Excellent bookstore. Everyone there is so helpful and friendly.Great selection of books and if they dont have it they will order it for you. Enjoyable visit.

Favorite bookstore to visit when traveling to Connecticut.Located in Madison, the store has great atmosphere, loads of books and knowledgeable staff. Loved my visit.

Always a vibrant place. Good sandwiches in bistro at back. Seems to be a local meeting spot. Lots of authors visit for book signings.

Best book store around! I suggest going & browsing. They also have a café!

Intelligent and helpful staff. Fabulous selection. Wonderful setting. Whats not to love?

This is our favorite bookstore. The kids section is vibrant and has so many options, and we always love reading the staff picks.

One of THE best independent book stores! Excellent selection of books, knowledgeable staff, cozy atmosphere. I visit RJ Julia every time I pass this way and am never disappointed.

Love this bookstore. Huge selection of books, games and gifts. They are always holding great author talks.

Even if you dont live in CT, you need to add this bookstore to your bucket list! Alcoves and great staff picks, just a gem and a place to easily be lost in for hours!

Great getaway to get lost in a book and a cup of tea and sweet treat. Very nice, helpful staff.

Love coming here - they have a great selection of books and a nice sandwich shop in the back.

I look to read, RJ Julia is my favorite book store on the CT shoreline! Reasonable prices throughout a wide selection of books. Employees are friendly and very helpful!!

The book store was very beautiful and had a large selection to look through.

Superb collection of childrens books with a very knowledgeable and helpful staff.

Amazing independent bookstore.