In The Spirit(s)...Chapter Two
/A Bookish & Boozy Holiday…Chapter Two
Many readers will tell you that how and where you read is almost as important as what you read. If you are a true book lover, you can plop yourself down just about anywhere and lose yourself in the pages. But your preference is always to make an occasion of it.
Picture this; outside its cold and snowy, your notifications are turned off, the chaos of daily life is on pause, and your favourite chair is beckoning you with a plush and warm blanket. What better way to settle into the moment than with a good book and a cocktail. This holiday season let me lure you to your happy place with lovingly curated pairings of reading recommendations and cocktail recipes.
My Christmas wish is that you find whatever it is you might be craving or needing in these pages. May they provoke thought, impart wisdom, induce fits of laughter or bouts of tears, transport you into entirely new and unexplored worlds, allow you to be captivated and entertained, and above all, may they provide sustenance to your heart and mind.
Get cozy, raise a glass, and crack open a book as you celebrate the season!
Cocktail Note: First and foremost, please drink responsibly and legally! Also, each cocktail is about one(ish) servings and the expectation is you choose the brands suited to your taste.
On The Shelf: Charming Characters & Cozy Sipper
The Man Who Died Twice – Richard Osman
The Thursday Murder Club is back! Still high off their solving of a recent real life murder case they are looking forward to a little peace and quiet in their posh retirement village. But they are out of luck. An unexpected visitor, accused of stealing millions of dollars of diamonds from the wrong sort of men is on the lam and in need of some help. Can it be long before the bodies begin to drop? Clever, funny, quirky and an absolute delight!
Mystery: A Seduction, A Strategy, A Solution – John Lehrer
A book that sets out to unravel the mystery of mysteries and answer the question, what makes a mystery so compelling? Blending psychology, neuroscience, and anthropology to shine new light on everything from the formulas of our favourite detective shows to the tricks of advertising campaigns and the calculated risks of the stock market. Illuminating and so much fun!! Let your curiosity be peaked!
The Affair Of The Mysterious Letter – Alexis Hall
A charming, witty, and weird fantasy novel that pays homage to Sherlock Holmes. Upon returning from fighting a war, John finds himself an unusual housemate with a mercurial temperament, a dark reputation, and an unusual job. Soon the mismatched paired are caught up in a mystery that takes the reader on a delightful romp through this author’s extravagant imagination! A brilliant new spin on an oft visited classic story.
On The Shelf: Snarky, Sly & Spicy On The Tongue
The Other Black Girl – Zakiya Dalila Harris
Editorial assistant Nella is tired of being the only Black employee at Wagner Books. Fed up with the isolation and microaggressions, she’s thrilled when Harlem born and bred Hazel starts working there. A string of uncomfortable events soon elevates Hazel to office darling and someone want’s Nella gone which sends her into a spiral. Whip-smart, combustible, and sly, this is a standout thriller in every sense of the word.
New York, My Village – Uwem Akpan
A Nigerian editor and winner of a publishing fellowship is on the cusp of the opportunity of a lifetime; to learn the ins and outs of the publishing industry from its New York epicenter. Soon he is exposed to the ruthlessly commercial underbelly of callous agents, greedy landlords, boorish neighbours, and racist assumptions. A searing flaying of publishing, biases and our infinite capacity to blithely look away. What the author leaves the reader to unpack can never be put back into the box. Fearless and funny!
Crying In H Mart – Michelle Zauner
An exquisitely told story of family, food, grief, and endurance. With lots of humour and heart, the author tells of growing up as one of the few Asian American kids in her school; of struggling with her mother’s expectations; of painful adolescence and of treasured time spent in her grandmother’s tiny home where she and her mother would learn to bond over heaps of food. She loses her connection to her background when she enters adulthood and finds her way back when her mother receives a terminal diagnosis. A deeply heartfelt and funny story of mothers and daughters, one that you will experiences with all your senses!
On The Shelf: Torment & Suffering
Sistersong – Lucy Holland
The old magic in the ancient kingdom of Dummonia is calling to three siblings; Riva can cure others but can’t seem to heal her own deep scars.; Keyne battles to be accepted for who he is; and Sinne dreams of seeing the world and finding adventure. All three fear a life tethered by the magic around them until two strangers appear and everything changes. A spellbinding, beautiful and mournful book.
A Town Called Solace – Mary Lawson
Angry and rebellious, sixteen-year-old Rose stormed out of the house after an argument with her mother and simply vanished. Left behind is her seven-year-old sister Clara, who is bewildered and distraught and who’s only comfort is the abandoned cat next door. When a stranger with a shady past moves in it appears many people have secrets in the town. Compelling and unforgettable we see the laying bare of the grief, remorse and love that connect these characters.
The Women Of Troy – Pat Barker
Troy has fallen and the victorious Greeks are eager to return home and enjoy the spoils of war, including the women of Troy they intend to take with them. Only the gods are offended, and the ships do not come. As old feuds resurface and new rivalries begin to fester, the Trojan queen Briseis quietly takes it all in. And then she begins to maneuver. A long awaited perspective of a powerful and epic story.
On The Shelf: All The Fun & The Feelgoods
Girly Drinks: A History Of Women & Alcohol – Mallory O’Meara
Cocktails that come in sleek-stemmed glasses, bright colours and fruity flavours, these are the Girly Drinks. Since the early days of civilization alcohol has been a key factor in social rituals and cultures worldwide. But when exactly did drinking become a gendered act? With boundless insight and curiosity this book unveils an entire untold history of female distillers, brewers and drinks that have played a vital role in the creation and consumption of alcohol. Cheeky and brilliant!
Tacky: Love Letter To The Worst Culture We Have To Offer – Raz King
An irreverent collection essays about the joys of low brow culture and bad taste! Pop culture, even more than any other art, has the power to imprint itself on our lives and shape our experiences. No matter what one’s commitment to “good” taste might be. Soaked in nostalgia you will revisit everything from snakeskin pants, the birth of the book sized menu to frosted lip gloss. Each essay revolves around a different maligned “artifact”, providing thoughtful and hilarious meditations on the matter!
Blackout – Dhonielle Clayton
A summer heatwave weighs like a heavy blanket across New York City and plummets it into darkness. As the city is thrown into confusion, a different kind of electricity sparks. Charming and hilarious, this collection celebrates the beauty of six couples and the unforgettable magic they discover on a sweltering night in the city.
On The Shelf: Cool Heroes & Drink Of Champions
The Bones Of Ruin – Sarah Raughley
Iris is a young African tightrope dancer in Victorian London and used to being seen by others as strange. If only they knew. She has a secret that goes way beyond strange. She cannot die. Haunted by her unnatural power and with no memories of her past, she is obsessed by finding out who she is. Then she meets an alluring and enigmatic young man who seems to be harboring terrifying revelations about the future state of the world. Suddenly they are caught up in the Tournament of Freaks. And if you want to know more about that you will just have to read the book!
The House In The Cerulean Sea – T.J. Klune
Linus leads a quiet, solitary life. Living with his devious cat and record collection, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in an orphanage. One day he is summoned a secret island to determine whether six children are a danger to the world; a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable blob, and were-Pomeranian and the Antichrist. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg of the unusual goings on to be found in this enchanting and witty story!
Project Hail Mary – Andy Weir
Ryland is the sole survivor on a desperate, last chance mission, and if he fails humanity, the earth itself will perish. But he doesn’t know any of that. He can’t even remember his own name, how he came to be where he is and what exactly he is supposed to do about it. With dead crewmates and hazy flashes of memory, it’s up to him to puzzle it all out. Reading this is like trying to figure out the secrets of the universe with your genius and quirky favourite teacher. As per usual with Weir, expect the unexpected!
On The Shelf: Secrets Revealed & Liquor Unlocked
Year Book – Seth Rogen
Rogen’s funny personal essays cover everything from his grandparents, always fodder for humor, to doing stand-up comedy as a teenager, Jewish summer camp, adventures in Hollywood and tidbits about famous people that will undoubtedly result in some awkward conversation someday in the not-so-distant future. If you laugh at his films, you will laugh until it hurts at his life! Hilarious!
Secret To Superhuman Strength – Alison Bechdel
A deeply layered story of the author’s fascination, from childhood to adulthood, with every fitness craze to come down the pike. You will see your athletic or semi-athletic pasts flash before your eyes through an ever-evolving kaleidoscope of bad fashion and overpriced gear. A comic chronicle for our times! Stunning and hilarious in equal measure!
The Secret History Of Food – Matt Siegel
The author set out to uncover the hidden side of everything we put in our mouths, probing the myths, the realities and even the proclivities! A rich exploration of the historical, cultural, scientific, and emotional elements of food. If we are indeed what we eat, then you may never look at your next bite the same again!
On The Shelf: Quirky, Fuzzy & Fizzy
Great Glorious Goddamn Of It All – Josh Ritter
In a tiny timber town in Idaho, ninety-nine-year-old Weldon recounts his life in all its glory, filled with tall tales of murder, mayhem, natural disasters, and criminal intent. Ever since his was young Weldon dreamt of joining the ranks of his ancestors in their axe swinging adventures as legendary lumberjacks. An infectious and utterly unique coming of age story that will sweep you off to the snowy mountains.
Fuzz: When Nature Breaks The Law – Mary Roach
In her latest, Roach, who is not new to covering unique subject matter, tackles natures lawbreakers. Did you know that once upon a time a moose that wandered into a residential pool or a bear breaking and entering in search of a snack would be given legal representation and put on trial? That’s just the tip of the iceberg of the discoveries in this book. A fascinating, witty, and humane dive into “problem” wildlife and what is more often the real problem, we humans. Check out another by her, Stiff. A strange exploration of our bodies, postmortem.
Long Division – Kiese Laymon
It’s 2013 and after an on-stage meltdown during a nationally televised quiz show, fourteen-year-old Citoyen becomes an overnight YouTube celebrity. A nightmare I am sure haunts us all in some fashion. Before he is sent to stay with his grandmother, he is given a book whose main character shares his name but lives in a different time. These two stories start to merge in magical and meaningful ways. Laymon is a master with language and imbuing it with power and with this sly flip of narrative structure he may be a genius.
