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...

Welcome into The Reading Lounge. In this episode, Cynthiaand Sarah discuss The Girls of the Glimmer Factory by Jennifer Coburn. This historical fiction novel tells the intertwined story of two young women, their families,and those they meet during their different paths in Nazi-occupied Europe. Set largely in Nazi-occupied Europe, the novel confronts the Nazi propaganda machine designed to dehumani...

It's still spring and we have selected six new books we are adding to our TBR lists. If you're looking for suggestions for your next spring read, listen in to this bonus episode of The Reading Lounge! We are also going to give this refreshing cocktail a try during spring reading season: Primavera Spritz 1.5 oz vodka or gin 1 oz fresh orange juice 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice 1/2 oz simple syru...

Welcome into The Reading Lounge! We are discussing My Mother Cursed My Name by Anamely Salgado Reyes. Three generations of Mexican American grapple with family history and the "curse" of their names. We discovered this novel and this author at the 2026 Women's Literary Festival in Long Beach, California. This episode's libation is called: The Truth Tea. 2 oz gin 2 oz chilled mint...

Pull up a chair in The Reading Lounge as we discuss The Vulnerables by Sigrid Nunez. The short, spare novel gave us a lot to discuss as we decided on our thoughts and ratings about the novel. The book takes place during the COVID pandemic as a woman navigates her new, adjusted life in New York City. She manages to create a couple of new relationships, including with a parrot named Eureka. And we f...

It's February in The Reading Lounge and we stepping into the world of romance. Bitter Sweet by Hattie Williams is a story of obsession and bad choices set in the world of book publishing. Listen in to find out if you should add this novel to your TBR list. We've waved goodbye to dry January and are toasting this read with an appropriately named cocktail. The Illicit Affair 1 1/4 oz. Vodka...

Join us as we discuss Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken. As we start a new year and new resolutions we decided to dive into this comprehensive read about what actually is in the food many of us eat every day. The science, marketing, and business models that surround what we consume is fascinating. We enjoyed learning about our food supply without being told what we should eat. We had a...

We look back at our reading through 2025 to pick our favorite podcast books, favorite books overall, and favorite cocktails! We take a look forward into 2026 - what will we do differently?? 2025 will be hard to top with each of us having more 5-star reads than in year's past. We end the year with what might be our best "get cozy and read" cocktail of the year: A Warm and Fuzzy! 8 oz...

Sarah and Cynthia discuss The Council of Dolls by Mona Susan Power. This is a multi-generational story of three Native American women and how their history, memories, and traumas make them who they are and impact the future generations. Their beloved dolls are part of their lives and part of their stories through the generations. Join us to see if you'd like to add this 2023 novel to your TBR...

We are a little late getting to our seasonal reads - but there is plenty of cozy autumn weather to enjoy some great reads! We share what we are both looking forward to reading during the coziest reading season of all. We even offer a cocktail suggestion for those autumnal reading vibes.

Welcome into The Reading Lounge for our October "spooky" read - Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury. We are happy we added this to our reading list as adults so that we can fully appreciate the elegant and descriptive prose of Bradbury. If you read this in your younger years, perhaps it is worth a second go around with this suspenseful page turner. We paired this month's...

In this episode of The Reading Lounge, Sarah and Cynthia discuss The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz. An aptly titled mystery that takes place within the publishing world. Besides, don't we all love books about books? Listen in and hear out take and decide if you want to add it to your TBR list. Don't forget to mix up this fitting cocktail while you settle in for some reading time. The Imposte...

Welcome into The Reading Lounge. Sarah and Cynthia discuss Big Girl by Mecca Jamilah Sullivan. Big Girl is a coming of age story of an obese young woman growing up in Harlem and discovering who she is and through the complex relationships in her world. Did we like it? Hint: One of us gave it a coveted five star rating! Enjoy the read along with this month's cocktail: Starving Artist. Starving...

Sarah and Cynthia talk about the Booker Fiction Prize long list of finalists. Which are we adding to our TBR list! Check out https://thebookerprizes.com/ for more information and details on the 13 books long listed for the fiction prize. We'll see you in The Reading Lounge!

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 Dermansky The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper by Roland Allen Who is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service by Michael Lewis The...

What are Sarah and Cynthia reading this summer? Find out in this bonus episode of The Reading Lounge. Learn about six books you may want to pack into your summer tote bag. And don't forget the summer beverage. Sarah shares her recipe for homemade Limoncello. We used this beautiful liquor to make a Limoncello Spritz. 3 oz Prosecco 2 oz Limoncello 1 oz Club Soda Sprig of Mint (optional) Meet us...

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 l...

Sarah and Cynthia discuss historical fiction novel, The Swan's Nest, by Laura McNeal and dive into the love story of Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning framed by the backdrop of industrial London, tainted wealth, and limited choices from their families and society. This episode's cocktail is fittingly called, The Poet. 2 oz rye whiskey 1/4 oz simple syrup or honey 1 tsp fresh ginger, peeled 1 l...

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 book...

We each highlight a few new books that we're adding to our TBR list. Plus, we have a Spring cocktail you may enjoy whenever you find some reading time in this new season. Vodka Thyme Lemonade 1 C sparkling lemonade 3 oz vodka 1 sprig thyme Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and pour over ice!

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 coc...

Welcome to The Reading Lounge! Sarah and Cynthia discuss Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford. Perhaps not many find fame in the sunset of their lives but Mrs. Quinn's love of baking puts her front and center. The unexpected fame also illuminates the cost of keeping secrets in a nearly 60-year long marriage. If you enjoy The Great British Baking Show as much as we do, the setting for t...

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 M...

Cynthia and Sarah recap their reading year and choose their favorite books and cocktails. We hope you enjoy this brief bonus episode. Join us to raise a glass to the great reading of 2024!

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 wint...