Over twenty thousand miles of highways and main streets crisscross the state of Connecticut, inviting hungry travelers and locals into the more than one hundred diners that dot the roadways. Among these eateries are some of the most prized American classic diners manufactured by such legendary builders as DeRaffele, O'Mahony, Tierney and Kullman. Author Garrison Leykam hosts a road trip to Connecticut's diners, celebrating local recipes and diner lingo--order up a #81, frog sticks or a Noah's boy with Murphy carrying a wreath--as well as stories that make each diner unique. Tony's Diner in Seymour still keeps pictures of the 1955 flood to always remember the tragedy the diner overcame. Stories like these--of tragedy, triumph, sanctuary, comfort and community--fill the pages in this celebration of classic and historic diners of the Nutmeg State.
 

Photo of Garrison by Ann Nyberg

Photo of Garrison by Ann Nyberg

"Nyberg," interview with ABC WTNH-TV Host Ann Nyberg. Ann is an Emmy-nominated on-air talent with over thirty years experience in television news.  She has been a marquee anchor in Connecticut for over 25 years interviewing leading news makers such as Peter Jennings, Walter Cronkite, Dr. William Petit, Ann Margaret, Don Imus, Michael Bolton, Art Carney and more. A visionary in the industry, Ann started Network Connecticut in 2011 as a means for connecting the state.






































"Talk of the Town" with Larry Rafkin
, WATR radio, Friday, November 8th, 12:30pm





Prospect Library Saturday, November 9th @ noon, book talk/signing





















Ivoryton Tavern Saturday, November 16th, 5-7pm, book talk/signing.
Thanks to Sue McCann of Essex Books and Nan & Jim Crowell, owners of the Ivoryton Tavern, for hosting the Meet-the-Author event at the Ivoryton Tavern.
Kudos to Nan's culinary wizardy in creating "The Garrison Leykam Diner Burger Special" in my honor: a burger cooked to order and topped with knockwurst boiled in Widmer Hefeweifer beer, red cabbage and apple slaw and Swiss cheese on top served with fries, lettuce, tomato, onions and pickle smear. Mmmmmmm!























Fox CT Morning Extra Show, Thursday, November 21st, interview with Logan Byrnes who has also interviewed Al Pacino, Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep for Inside Edition.
Watch video and read more



Barnes & Noble-Farmington, CT Friday, November 22nd @7pm, book signing 

















Bank Square Books, Saturday, November 23rd, 1-3pm, book signing

Cromwell Belden Public Library Wednesday, December 11th, 7pm, book talk/signing
(postponed due to weather conditions)


Barnes and Noble- Buckland Hills, CT Saturday, December 14th, 1-3pm, book signing
(postponed due to blizzard)


Woodbury Public Library Thursday, December 19th @ 6:30pm, book talk/signing

Northeast Motorcycle Expo, Sunday, January 12th, 9am-noon. Garrison and Ralph will be broadcasting "Those Diner and Motorcycle Guys" radio show "live" from the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston. Garrison will be signing copies of Classic Diners of Connecticut.











RJ Julia book signingShoreline Diner, Monday January 13th, 7:30pm book talk/signing














RJ Julia book signing: Georgie's Diner, Thursday, January 16th, 7:30pm 
Read the Georgie's Diner Community Page announcement














North Haven Library, Saturday, February 1st, 2pm, book talk/signing

Guilford Smith Memorial Library, Thursday, February 6th, 6:30pm, book talk/signing

Goshen Public Library Wednesday, February 12th, 7pm, book talk/signing

Kent Memorial Library, Wednesday, February 19th, 7pm, book talk/signing
To be rescheduled due to ice and hazardous forecasted travel.

Guilford Free Library, Thursday, February 20th, 7pm, book talk/signing

Mohegan Sun, Saturday, February 22nd, 1pm, guest author/panelist with Emmy award-winning journalist and TV personality Diane Smith and author Eric D. Lehman.
Click here to register. Read about the Featured Authors.





Garrison presenting at Mohegan Sun by Sue McCann














Derby Public Library, Monday, February 24th, 6:30pm, book talk/signing

West Hartford Public Library, Wednesday, March 5th, book talk/signing

UConn Co-op Bookstore at Storrs Center, Tuesday, March 11th, 6:30pm, book talk/signing

Photo by Suzy Staubach

Photo by Suzy Staubach




Babcock Library, Friday, March 14th, 7:00pm, book talk/signing

Barnes & Noble, Buckland Hills, CT, Saturday, March 22nd, 2pm book signing

Oliver Wolcott Library, Thursday, April 3rd, 7pm, book talk/signing

The Connecticut Association for Adult & Continuing Education (CAACE) at the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa.
Garrison addressed the 300+ attended conference.

Tuesday April 8th, 5:30pm: Garrison will be addressing the students of Jane Stern's Food Media Class. Co-author with Michael Stern of Roadfood (now in its 9th edition!) Jane is the winner of 3 James Beard Awards and has written over 40 books! Check out her website















Burlington Public Library Wednesday, April 9th, 6:30pm, book talk/signing

Andover Public Library Wednesday, April 16th, 7:00pm, book talk/signing































Torrington Library Friday, May 2nd, 7pm, book talk/signing

Groton Public Library, Thursday, May 15th, 6:30pm, book talk/signing














"It was a pleasure to meet you and hear you speak tonight. You are an awesome presenter and I would highly recommend your program. Everyone who attended your talk enjoyed it, and there was a great deal of interaction…always a sure sign that people are engaged with the speaker."
Jean Schweid, Groton Public Library


Southington Library, Thursday, June 26th, 6:30pm, book talk/signing
Read more in The Southington Observer



Read about Classic Diners of Connecticut in:
Hartford Courant
Hartford Courant















New Haven Register













North Haven Citizen





















ConnecticutMag.com
The Valley Gazette
New Britain Herald
Plainville Citizen

FuzzyGalore.com 
City Biz
The Big Book Getaway
Valley Independent Sentinel