The Reading Lounge

We are talking about The Artist and The Feast by Lucy Steedsin The Reading Lounge. Set just after WWI, a famous artist, the artist’s niece, and an aspiring artist and journalist come together in a remote village in the south of France and discover what it means to both unseen and seen and the challenges people face to find their self-expression. Join us in The Reading Lounge to see if you may want to add this novel to your TBR.Our resident mixologist, Sarah, developed a fabulous andapropos cocktail for this read:The Crimson Atelier1 ½ oz vodka1 oz cranberry juice (we used sweetened)½ oz Cointreau (or other orange liqueur)½ oz lime juice2-3 fresh rosemary sprigssplash of ProseccoMuddle a sprig of rosemary in a shaker, add ice, vodka,juices, and Cointreau. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass. Add a splash of Prosecco and garnish with rosemary. Other books mentioned in this episode:Attribution by Linda Moore is the book we read previouslythat dealt with women in the art world!Daughters of the Bamboo Grove by Barbara DemickThe Magnificent Ruins by Nayantara Roy

Cynthia and Sarah discuss Typewriter Beach by Meg Waite Clayton. With dual timelines set in 1950s and modern day Hollywood, themes of loss, found families, and inequality are explored. Hear about the other books we've read including:Hot Air by Marcy DermanskyThe Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper by Roland AllenWho is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service by Michael LewisThe Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night by Mark HaddonThey're Going to Love You by Meg HowreyCome and Get It by Kiley ReidThis month's cocktail should be an award winner - delicious!The Starlet4 mint leaves3/4 oz silver tequila1/2 oz elderflower liqueur1/2 oz simple syrup1/2 oz lime juice3 oz champagneStarfruit for garnish (very optional)In a cocktail shaker combine simple syrup, lime juice, and mint leaves. Use a muddler or wooden spoon to muddle the mint. Add tequila and elderflower liqueur and fill shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Strain into a glass and top with champagne. Shake up a cocktail and join us in The Reading Lounge.

Sarah and Cynthia discuss the novel The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick. It is the early 1960's and four very different women in a DC suburb come together to discuss The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. Perhaps "The Bettys" as they come to call themselves will take some of the books messages to heart and life. Listen in and decide if you want to add it to your summer reading list. Along with their discussions, "The Bettys" enjoy a cocktail - or two. We tried one of their favorites: The Vodka Stinger.2 parts vodka1 part Creme de Menthe(we added a drop or two of green food coloring)Mix over ice in a cocktail shaker and serve in a chilled martini glass.Listen in to the episode to get the mocktail recipe. Other books we mention in this episode:Everything is Tuberculosis by John GreenMargo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi ThorpeThe Correspondent by Virginia EvansThe Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

Welcome to The Reading Lounge! This month Cynthia and Sarah discuss Hum by Helen Phillips. A work of speculative fiction that leaves a long-lasting impact. In the novel, we follow one woman as she makes a variety of choices tobring her family closer together while living in a not-to-distant future world of AI. We had much to say about this novel and we think you will, too. Here are the others books mentioned : Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn IveyThe Lost Bookshop by Evie WoodsThe Story Collector by Evie WoodsThe Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan KamaliThe Covenant of Water by Abraham VergheseDon’t Forget to Write by Sara Goodman ConfinoThis month’s cocktail and mocktail is called BotanicalGarden. Read the book and it will all make sense!Botanic Garden – original recipe50 ml Pineapple Tequila20 ml Lime juice20 ml Basil syrup25 ml Pineapple juiceBasil leavesTop with proseccoMix first five ingredients in a shaker with ice. Strain intoa cocktail glass. Top with prosecco and gently stir. Garnish with a basil leaf.Our Mocktail Botanic GardenSame ingredients minus the tequila and adding club soda.Mix lime juice, pineapple juice and basic syrup in shakerwith ice. Pour into glass and top with club soda and mix. Garnish with basil.Enjoy!

In this episode of The Reading Lounge Sarah and Cynthia discuss West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge. Inspired by a true story, Rutledge takes us on a journey with a pair of giraffes, their caretaker, and our storyteller across the country headed for the San Diego Zoo. A tale told against the backdrop of The Great Depression makes for great discussion. Join us while sipping on this month's cocktail, a Giraffe's Print! 2 oz spicy golden rum1 oz Amaretto1 oz fresh lemon juice1 oz simple syrup2 dashes Angostura bitters1 egg whiteIceOrange peel (we used lemon peel) for garnishAdd rum through bitters into shaker with ice and pour into your favorite cocktail glass. Whip up egg white and add a dollop to top. Garnish with citrus peel. Enjoy!

Thanks for joining us in The Reading Lounge! Sarah and Cynthia discuss the novel A Walker in the Evening by Nick Owchar. This is a beautifully crafted literary novel that is intelligent, interesting, and will keep you turning page after page. Be sure to try this episode's signature cocktail: The Night Walker! 1 oz Rum 1 oz Vodka 1/2 oz Triple Sec 1 oz Cassis 2 oz Orange Juice 1 oz Lime Juice Mix all ingredients in a shaker, serve over crushed ice. Garnish with pineapple wedge or lime. Hint: We think fresh lime juice was key!

Cynthia and Sarah discuss the 2013 novel The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey. Set in 1918, the story follows two people attempting to craft a life in the harsh Alaskan wilderness. The tragedies and longings are with them and so is hope that manifests in numerous ways. A great read at any time of year, but the novel beautifully captures the Alaskan seasons - especially the beauty and harsh reality of winter. We paired this novel with a Holiday Aperol Spritz shared by @drinkswithdanica. 2 oz aperol 2 oz cranberry juice 1 oz club soda 3+ oz Proseco Fill a wine glass with ice. Add aperol, cranberry juice and club soda. Stir and top with Proseco. Garnish with cranberries and a rosemary sprig. (We think the garnish really makes this drink!) Thanks for stopping by The Reading Lounge!