Readers are blessed in this area. A lot of touring authors come through, and virtually every week affords the opportunity to see a world class and/or bestselling author.

Hell, Wally Lamb lives down the street!

But take note of this: Colm Tóibín appears today in Madison at RJ Julia Booksellers. His 2012 book, "The Testament of Mary," was the third (!) of his novels to be shortlisted for the prestigious Man Booker Prize - along with "The Master" (2005) and "The Blackwater Lightship" (1999).

This is the sort of thing that should make you - even if you only read "Betty and Veronica" comic books - want to travel to Madison just to look at someone who's a three-time Booker shortlister! It's that big of a deal.

"The Testament of Mary" - yeah, it's THAT Mary - describes the anguish and rage of a mother who has lost her only begotten Son. Now in exile, she wants to know and understand why everything happened - even as her life begins to take on the stuff of myth and legend in the wake of Jesus' crucifixion.

- RICK KOSTER

Colm Tóibín, 7 tonight, RJ Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Road, Madison; free; (203) 245-3959, rjjulia.com.