Literature & Libations

In this week’s bonus episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss their favorite spooky reads and watches! Books, shows, and movies discussed in this episode: We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson Dark Tales by Shirley Jackson House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski The Turn of the Screw by Henry James The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling Coraline by Neil Gaiman The October Country b...

It’s Spooky Season! Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of Shirley Jackson’s 1959 novel The Haunting of Hill House. Topics include the eccentricities of Shirley Jackson, how Mrs. Montague is The Worst, and a quick dive into the Netflix adaptation.  This week’s drink: The Nellie via Carla Davis at 1428elm.com INGREDIENTS 2 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin 1 oz honey simple syrup 1 egg whi...

In this week’s bonus episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss some books about mental health and addiction to add to your TBR, and go on a tangent about how not to address a letter.  Books, etc. discussed in this episode: The Sum of Us: Tales of the Bonded and Bound Turtles All the Way Down by John Green The Last Confessions of Sylvia P. by Lee Daniel Kravetz   The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath Honey Girl by...

Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of Yaa Gyasi’s 2020 novel Transcendent Kingdom. Topics include neuroscience, the trauma of addiction, and the hip-hip-hypocrisy of religion. This week’s drink: Gray Matter (made by Taylor!) INGREDIENTS 1.5 - 2oz gin Juice from ½ grapefruit ½ TB rosemary simple syrup 4 dashes plum bitters INSTRUCTIONS In a shaker with ice, combine gin, rosemary si...

In this week’s bonus episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss the 2015 film version of Carol. Topics include 1950s aesthetics, Angry Harge, and how much we love Cate Blanchett. Follow us on Instagram @literatureandlibationspod. Visit our website: literatureandlibationspod.com to submit feedback, questions, or your own takes on what we are reading. You can also see what we are reading for future episodes!...

Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of Patricia Highsmith’s 1952 novel The Price of Salt (or, Carol). Topics include the interesting publication history of the book, positive character development (we love to see it), and the importance of happy endings in queer stories. This week’s drink: Sloe Gin Fizz via liquor.com INGREDIENTS 1 ½ oz sloe gin 1 oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed ¾...

In this week’s bonus episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss the (not-so-great) history of east Asian representation in Hollywood film and TV shows, as well as recent examples of great things to watch! Books, etc. discussed in this episode: Rise: A Pop History of Asian America from the Nineties to Now by Jeff Yang Kayla’s sources for this week’s discussion: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrayal_of_Eas...

Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of Charles Yu’s 2020 novel Interior Chinatown. Topics include Hollywood satire, Asian American representation, and what is actually going on in this novel… This week’s drink: Lychee Margarita-Tini (name taken from the novel, recipe put together by our very own Taylor! INGREDIENTS: 1.5 - 2 oz vodka .25 oz orange liqueur ½ TB lychee syrup; more or...

In this week’s bonus episode, Kayla and Taylor welcome a special guest: their mom! Topics include reader frustrations, what it really takes to be a good mother, and some epics roasts by Taylor. Follow us on Instagram @literatureandlibationspod. Visit our website: literatureandlibationspod.com to submit feedback, questions, or your own takes on what we are reading. You can also see what we are read...

Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of Jessamine Chan’s 2022 novel The School for Good Mothers. Topics include what it means to be a good (or bad) mother, lifelike dolls, and The Audacity of it all. This week’s drink: Bad Thoughts via Tipsy Bartender INGREDIENTS 1 ½ oz reposado tequila ½ oz bergamot orange liqueur 2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters 2 dashes aromatic bitters Absinthe spray...

In this week’s bonus episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss the history of children’s literature, our top 5 childhood faves (plus some honorable mentions), and share some of our listener’s favorites as well! Books, etc. discussed in this episode: Who Wants Arthur? By Amanda Graham The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams, illustrated by Donna Green  Holes by Louis Sachar   A Series of Unfortunate Event...

Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of Norton Juster’s 1961 children’s classic The Phantom Tollbooth. Topics include tasty letters, apathy and ignorance, and the sheer joy of reading, learning, and knowledge.  This week’s drink: Sunny Side of the Street via Thrillist INGREDIENTS 1 pouch Capri Sun 1 oz. white rum 0.25 oz. Maraschino 0.5 oz. lemon juice Lemon wedge, for garnish DIREC...

In this week’s bonus episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss the history of the Anglo-Saxon wars (spoiler alert: there’s a lot of fighting), and give an overview of the Arthurian legends that continue to inspire retellings today. This week’s drink: choose your favorite English ale! Taylor is drinking North Coast Old Stock Ale   Books, etc. discussed in this episode: Le Morte d’Arthur by Sir Thomas Malor...

Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of Kazuo Ishiguro’s 2016 novel The Buried Giant. Topics include the importance of remembering, Dragon Truthers, and the real purpose of the boatman. This week’s drink: a hearty English/British ale! Taylor is drinking North Coast Old Stock Ale Current Reads and Recommendations: Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd Never...

In this week’s bonus episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss the history of Malibu and surfing in California, and briefly examine California through the lens of two very different writers: Joan Didion and Eve Babitz. This week’s drink: Malibu Sunset via Averie Cooks INGREDIENTS Ice cubes Pineapple-orange juice Malibu coconut rum Grenadine Maraschino cherries Pineapple and / or orange slices (for garnish...

Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s 2021 novel Malibu Rising. Topics include the bonds between siblings, fire as metaphor, and why men cheat. This week’s drink: Malibu Sunset via Averie Cooks INGREDIENTS Ice cubes Pineapple-orange juice Malibu coconut rum Grenadine Maraschino cherries Pineapple and /or orange slices (for garnishing) DIRECTIONS Add ice to a...

In this week's bonus episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss the history of the western and the emergence of the “weird western”. Also: Tom Lin himself, author of The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu, joins us for a conversation! (!!!!) Books, etc. discussed in this episode: Encyclopedia of Weird Westerns by Paul Green The Dark Tower series by Stephen King Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy How Much of T...

Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of Tom Lin’s 2021 debut novel The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu. Topics include the mystical nature of the desert, western tropes, and who would be a better ringmaster in the movie version: Tom Hanks or Christoph Waltz? (It’s Christoph Waltz).  This week’s drink: Oolong Old Fashioned via Palais de Thés INGREDIENTS 0.4 oz oolong tea leaves 8.5 oz fi...

In this week’s bonus episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss the “Lost Generation” -  American writers who came to Paris in the 1920s to dance, drink, and craft their novels. Topics include the origin of the label, the famous Shakespeare and Company bookstore, and…the weather. Books, etc. discussed in this episode: The Paris Bookseller by Kerri Maher Shakespeare and Company by Sylvia Beach Sylvia Beach...

Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of Ernest Hemingway’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1952 novella The Old Man and the Sea. Topics include shark punching, Hemingway as the original Insufferable Hipster, and whether symbolism does or does not exist in this story. This week’s drink: Hemingway Daiquiri via winemag.com INGREDIENTS 2 ounces white rum ¾ ounce lime juice ½ ounce Maraschino liq...

In this week’s bonus episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss a real-life situation of an oil corporation destroying of the Niger Delta in Nigeria. Topics include book-to-real-life comparisons, how much big corporations suck, and where exactly do the Dutch come from? Here are the links to the sites Taylor perused for her research this episode: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/dec/06/th...

Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of Imbolo Mbue’s 2021 novel How Beautiful We Were. Topics include gender roles, corrupt governments, and the realities of starting a revolution. This week’s drink: Folere Spritzer - Cameroon Hibiscus Ice Tea (via AFROVITALITYEATS) INGREDIENTS Folere: 1 medium pineapple 2 cups dried hibiscus sepals (roselle) 3 quarts water Simple Syrup: 1 cup suga...

In this week’s bonus episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss the cinematic masterpiece Point Break (the 1991 version, NOT the terrible remake) starring our favorite human Keanu Reeves. Topics include Wet Keanu, the unexpected violence, and our mom’s thoughts on how hot Keanu is. This week’s cocktail: a glass of red wine Keanu’s favorite drink is red wine - specifically Australian wines such as the 1971...

Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of K.M. Jackson’s 2021 novel How to Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days. Topics include the growing diversity in romcoms, the romance of the desert, and everyone’s favorite human cinnamon roll (it’s Keanu). This week’s cocktail: a glass of red wine Keanu’s favorite drink is red wine - specifically Australian wines such as the 1971 Penfolds Grange Shira...

In this week’s bonus episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss other stories about immigration. See the full list of titles below! This week’s cocktail: Guaro Sour via shopcumbe.com INGREDIENTS 2 oz Cumbé 1 oz Pineapple Juice .25 oz Lemon Juice .25 oz Grand Marnier 2 Dashes Scrappy's Cardamom Bitters 1 Egg White DIRECTIONS Put all ingredients in shaker. Vigorously dry shake. Add ice to tin and shake...