Three inspiring authors will appear as part of one motivational day in West Hartford on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016.

Chef Rossi is one of the inspiring speakers who will appear at the Mandell JCC’s ‘A New Year, A New You’ day. Submitted photo

Submitted by Larah Winn, Mandell JCC

Three motivational authors encourage readers to cook, confide in each other and conquer all of life’s obstacles at the Mandell JCC Jewish Book Festival Event, “A New Year,  A New You,” on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Mandell JCC, Zachs Campus, 335 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford, CT 06117. An ASL interpreter will be present for the entire day.

Cook – Chef Rossi, The Raging Skillet – 10 a.m. – noon

The Raging Skillet is one woman’s story of cooking her way through some of the most unlikely kitchens in New York City. This heartfelt, gritty, and hilarious memoir shows us how the creativity of the kitchen allows us to give a nod to where we come from, while simultaneously expressing everything that we are.

Chef Rossi is the owner and executive chef of The Raging Skillet, described as “a new breed of rebel anti-caterer” by The New York Times. Rossi has written for many publications, including Bust, the Daily News, the New York Post, the Huffington Post, Time Out New York, and McSweeney’s.

Confide – Iris Krasnow, Sex After… – noon – 2 p.m.

Filled with edgy and honest stories of carnal challenge and triumph from women of all backgrounds and life stages, Sex After… Women Share How Intimacy Changes as Life Changes is Iris Krasnow’s signature take on Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sex but Were Afraid to Ask—during all of life’s passages.

Iris Krasnow is a New York Times bestselling author, most recently of The Secret Lives of Wives, a journalist, professor, and professional speaker.

Conquer – Rebecca Alexander, Not Fade Away –  2 – 4 p.m.

Rebecca Alexander was born with a rare genetic mutation called Usher Syndrome type III. She has been simultaneously losing both her sight and hearing since she was a child, and was told that she would likely be completely blind and deaf by age 30. Then, at 18, a fall from a window left her athletic body completely shattered. Not Fade Away is both a memoir of the senses and a unique look at the obstacles we all face—physical, psychological, and philosophical—exploring the extraordinary powers of memory, love, and perseverance.

Rebecca Alexander is a psychotherapist in private practice, a spin instructor, a volunteer, and an athlete. She grew up in California and holds two masters degrees from Columbia, one in Public Health and one in Clinical Social Work.

In addition to author sessions, attendees can enjoy dry hair styling with BLO Blow Dry Bar, cozy gifts from Butterscotch Blankees, makeup tips with Tainted Inc., chair massages with Dora Avila – Muscles Puzzle Therapy, unique Activewear with Zayze and organic specialties with Adamah CSA and more.

Tickets are $20 per person and include all author sessions but feel free to enjoy the topic(s) of your choice. Light snacks/meals will be served throughout the day.

Tickets are on sale via mail, in person, or online at the Mandell JCC Box Office, 860-231-6316,  [email protected] and at www.mandelljcc.org. Patron and sponsorship opportunities available.

For more information, contact Jill Ziplow 860-231-6339, [email protected]. For updates, follow the Mandell JCC on Facebook and Twitter. All dates and programs subject to change.

The 2015-2016 Mandell JCC Book Festival is funded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford and the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford, and sponsored by Mandell JCC Partners: Saint Francis Care, LAZ Parking, Farmington Bank, Simsbury Bank, Group Insurance Associates, Blo Blow Dry Bar, Waterford Hotel Group, Hartford Car and Driver, RJ Julia Independent Book Sellers, The Greater Hartford Arts Council, The Jewish Ledger, Mandell JCC Pillars Society and Pacesetters (as of 12/1/15).