Literature & Libations

In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Octavia E. Butler’s 1979 novel Kindred. Topics include Torrey Pines and Tawny Port, nuts, Nazi Germany vs. American slavery, why white people have such a hard time acknowledging history,  Rufus the Doofus and Tom Weylin who have 1 ¼ moral between them, (we need to talk about) Kevin, and Dana’s Conundrum. Plus, we get tipsy and talk about Keanu Reeve...

In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Thomas Olde Heuvelt’s 2024 novel Bore-acle Snore-acle Oracle. Topics include Dr. Pepper, a horrible translation that pretty much ruined the book for us, incoherent plotting, algae, Austin Powers, and the utter laziness of having the male characters call every woman a bitch multiple times. Plus, we do a deep dive into the origins of the “c”-word (and...

In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Daniel Mason’s 2023 novel North Woods. Topics include apple puns, the intricacies of Vermont maple syrup grading, beetle sex, geeking out about the writing, Taylor’s audiobook experience, the haunting magic of New England, creepy murder twins, gay tragedy, ghost sex, and the beautiful, hopeful ending. Plus, Kayla introduces a new song in her Taylor...

In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Anne Brontë’s 1847 novel Agnes Grey. Topics include the Sisters Brontë, Jack the Ripper origin stories, terrible children and their terrible parents, the fascinating character journey of Rosalie Murray, crazy courting rituals of Victorian England, the titular Agnes Grey, and the iconic clapback from Mrs. Grey.  This week’s drink: Creamy Earl Grey Co...

In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Gillian Flynn’s 2012 novel Gone Girl. Topics include true crime, the punchability of Ben Affleck, Nick’s family dynamics and his stunted development, the “Cool Girl”, how the patriarchy negatively affects women and men, Amy’s narcissism (and generally sociopathy), the Andie factor, the deeper commentary Gillian Flynn is making, and that frustrating...

In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Betty Smith’s 1943 novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Topics include horrible Brooklyn bits, elusive cocktail ingredients, the incredible detail and specificity of the characters and events in this book, how relatable people are even 100+ years later, the current real estate situation in Brooklyn, class prejudice, education as a means to improve your l...

In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Margot Douaihy’s 2023 novel Scorched Grace. Topics include lemon ribbons, New Orleans and how much we love it, how not upsetting a murder mystery is, the uniqueness of a nun (and a punk nun at that) solving mysteries, kickass feminist nuns, Sister Holiday’s views on religion, how Nina is THE WORST, the interesting partnership between Sister Holiday...

In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Hernan Diaz’s 2017 novel In the Distance. Topics include screen time and dryness, old timey medicine, Lorimer’s insight into nature, figuring out the timeline of this book, the violent turning point in Hawk’s life, literal and metaphorical stones, the concept of the American myth, utter desolation and loneliness, Asa the Flamboyant Prairie Gay, and...

In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Debra Magpie Earling’s 2002 novel Perma Red. Topics include Martini Time, Charlie, Baptiste, and Louise and their complicated and entwined experiences, Awful White Men, shame, generational trauma, and the hope at the end of it all. Plus, Taylor talks about her experience Marie Kondo-ing her books. This week’s drink: Dirty Martini via liquor.com INGR...

In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Percival Everett’s award-winning 2024 novel James. Topics include the never ending surprise of the atrocities human beings commit, slave language, dream visits from “enlightened” philosophers, the freedom inherent in reading and writing, the return of the King and the Duke (ugh), Huck is whose son?!, James’s revenge, and the reclamation of his narra...

In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Mark Twain’s 1885 children’s (?) novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Topics include the confusing geography of the south/midwest, Huck’s moral quandary and gradual shift of worldview, a peek at initial reactions of this book, the iconic energy of Aunt Sally, and a deep dragging of Tom Sawyer. Plus, Kayla gets on her librarian soapbox about boo...

In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Daphne Du Maurier’s 1938 novel Rebecca. Topics include important plant updates, Kayla’s frustrating pre-pod antics, Flow, the transatlantic accent, the writing prowess of Daphne du Maurier, murder, unhinged Mrs. Danvers, the unbelievable tension in many scenes, the looming figure of Rebecca (who we don’t actually hate!), the surprising complexity of...

In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Kelly Link’s 2024 novel The Book of Love. Topics include absinthe, the unique structure of this book, the “unlikeablility” of these magical teenagers, breaking down the ending, all the different types of love, and Hilary Duff. Plus, a brief word on Neil Gaiman.  This week’s drink: Necromancer via liquor.com INGREDIENTS: 3/4 ounce absinthe  3/4 ounce...

In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Lily King’s 2014 novel Euphoria. Topics include MySpace pictures, the ease of reading Lily King, evil Fen, poor Bankson, and Nell. Oh Nell. Plus, Taylor’s hot take on the Australian accent, and Kayla’s book snobbery. This week’s drink: Liquid Euphoria va BarGPT INGREDIENTS: 2 oz gin 1 oz elderflower liqueur 1 oz fresh lemon juice ½ oz simple syrup 2...

In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Ursula K. Le Guin’s 1969 sci-fi classic The Left Hand of Darkness. Topics include the new look of L&L, Nosferatu, the interesting ideas about sex and gender Ursula presents, the relationship between Genly and Estraven, the masculine urge for war and violence, the need for light and darkness, and our complete inability to traverse a vast glacier....

In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor wrap up their 2024 reading with their favorite pod and non-pod reads, plus other things that they enjoyed throughout the year. Thanks for reading and drinking with us! See you in 2025! This week’s drink: White Christmas Mimosa via @yellowbellykelly INGREDIENTS: Champagne White cranberry juice Edible glitter Cranberries and rosemary for garnish INSTRUCTIONS:...

In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Charles Dickens’s 1843 novel A Christmas Carol. Topics include Bob’s Burgers, the importance of vitamin C, a Dog Day Afternoon tangent, excellent food descriptions, the issue of Tiny Tim, the joy of gift giving, AI search results for “grool”, the sassiness of Christmas Present, and the hope of it all. This week’s drink: Cranberry Sauce Sour via @coc...

In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Tommy Orange’s 2018 novel There There. Topics include nostalgia for the Bay Area, the genius of the shifting narrative perspectives, the “there there” of it all, generational trauma, the lack of education about Native Americans, powwow experiences, and the final tragic scene. This week’s drink: Hot Toddy via Love & Lemons INGREDIENTS: ¾ cup hot...

In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Jean Rhys’s 1966 novella Wide Sargasso Sea. Topics include the background of Jean Rhys, important historical context for the novel, colonialism (no good very bad), how places can turn warped and hateful, the absolute douchebaggery of Rochester, Christophene and her obeah, and who is named and unnamed.  This week’s drink: Planter’s Punch via liquor.c...

In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Barbara Kingsolver’s 2022 novel Demon Copperhead. Topics include horse teeth, Appalachia, the tragedies of addiction, the many great characters…honestly there is so much to talk about with this book. This week’s drink: Wildest Redhead via Difford’s Guide INGREDIENTS: 1 ½ oz blended scotch whisky ⅔ oz lemon juice (freshly squeezed) ½ oz honey syrup ¼...

In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Mary Shelley’s classic 1818 novel Frankenstein. Topics include home decor, the complexity and shifting morality of the characters, growing your reading muscles, various Frankenstein films, the sadness of being utterly a l o n e, the badassery of Mary Shelley, nature as a reflection of the characters’ journeys, and how Walton is totally gay for Victo...

In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor get on their feminist soapboxes and discuss Rachel Yoder’s 2021 novel Nightbitch. Topics include feminine rage, all-consuming motherhood, women supporting women (yay Jen!), the divine power of women, and perpetuating gender roles and stereotypes in children. Plus, we talk about the upcoming movie adaptation. This week’s drink: Bloody Mary via food.com INGRE...

In this month's Patreon episode, we begin a new series: The Twilight Saga, by Stephenie Meyer. We start with…Twilight! Topics include our initial reactions to reading this book as emotional teens, Vampire Garbage Edward Cullen, Human Bowl of Oatmeal Bella, the unnervingly fast timeline of this book, what the heck is up with Stephenie Meyer, and Taylor’s utter ~chagrin~ throughout this episode...

In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss George Orwell’s 1949 dystopian novel 1984. Topics include the utter bleakness of this book. That’s it. That’s the tweet. This week’s drink: Between the Sheets via liquor.com INGREDIENTS: 1 oz cognac 1 oz light rum 1 oz triple sec ¼ oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed Garnish: flamed orange peel INSTRUCTIONS: Add the cognac, rum, triple sec and lemon ju...

In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Monica Heisy’s 2023 novel Really Good, Actually. Topics include the state of female pop music today, hilarious (and sad) breakup stories, the Gay Marriage Experience, how amazing our spouses are, bisexual representation, shitty friends you have in your 20s, another social media rant (Dating Apps Edition), and the benefits of being alone. This week’s...