Literature & Libations

In this week’s bonus episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss the life and legacy of Zora Neale Hurston, and offer up suggestions for more classics by African American/Black authors. Books, etc. discussed in this episode: The Weary Blues by Langston Hughes Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison   Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin Kindred by Octavia E. Butler   Native Son by Richard Wright   Quicksand by Nella Lar...

Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of Zora Neale Hurston’s classic 1937 novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God. Topics include The Audacity of Men, surviving a hurricane, and the realism of the characters. This week’s drink: Lemonade with Vanilla, Mint and Rosemary via Valerie Stivers at  The Paris Review INGREDIENTS: 8 cups cold water 8 large lemons 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar 10 sp...

You heard it right! We're havin' ourselves a giveaway! The goal of this giveaway is to expand our listenership by obtaining more ratings and reviews by you fine people! We will reward you with fun prizes, don't worry! TO BE ENTERED YOU MUST SCREENSHOT YOUR RATING OR REVIEW! Send that screen shot to literatureandlibationspod@gmail.com, or send it so us via DM on our IG page, @literat...

In this week’s bonus episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss more debut novels that you should add to your TBR! Plus, Taylor reveals her criminal past… Books, etc. discussed in this episode: Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders The Tiger’s Wife by Tea Obreht Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder The Secret History by Donna Tartt There There by Tomm...

Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of Parini Shroff’s debut novel, The Bandit Queens. Topics include dark humor, the realness of the women in the book, and the genius of Parini Shroff. This week’s drink: Spicy Mango Moscow Mule via Fresh Flavorful INGREDIENTS: 3 oz ginger beer 1.5 oz vodka (jalapeno or habanero infused, optional) 1 oz mango puree .5 oz lime juice (½ lime) 1 ¼ inch...

In this week’s bonus episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss the 5 types of books to best kick off your reading year (with great suggestions for your TBR, of course). Books, etc. discussed in this episode: The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Green Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman The Moth Presents All These Wonders: True Stories About Facing the...

Happy 2023, y’all! For the first episode of the year, Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of Ottessa Moshfegh’s 2018 novel My Year of Rest and Relaxation. Topics include selfishness vs. self-centeredness, the alarming amount of prescription drugs being consumed in this novel, and the genius of the ending. This week’s drink: Dry Manhattan via foodviva.com INGREDIENTS: 2 oz Rye Whisk...

For the last episode of 2022, Kayla and Taylor discuss their favorite reads of the year - podcast books and non-pod books! They also share their reading goals for 2023, reflect on this year’s episodes, and more! Books discussed in this episode: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy Little Women by Louisa May A...

In this week’s bonus episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss our favorite holiday books, shows, movies, music, and more! Books, etc. discussed in this episode: Books Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox Hercule...

For the last book discussion episode of the year, Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of Melissa de la Cruz’s 2018 novel Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe. Topics include matching original characters with their retelling counterparts, wet noodles, and a truly unhinged summary by Kayla.  This week’s drink: Spiked Eggnog INGREDIENTS: 8 oz eggnog 1.5 oz alcohol (bourbon, whiskey, bran...

Kayla and Taylor continue their discussion of Little Women with part 2 of Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel. Topics include “domestic experiences”, what was really going on with Beth, and whether we are Team Jo/Laurie or Team Amy/Laurie. Plus, we find out via science which March sister we are. This week’s drink: Spiced Maple Bourbon Fizz via Half Baked Harvest INGREDIENTS: Spiced Maple Syrup: ½ cup m...

Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of the first part of Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel, Little Women. Topics include the importance of depicting everyday occurrences in literature, how Louisa may have been Team Lesbian, and how birth order may or may not show up in our personalities. Also, Kayla accidentally reveals a MASSIVE spoiler, much to Taylor’s chagrin. Ah, sisters! This we...

In this week’s bonus episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss the history of San Francisco’s Beat Movement.  Books, etc. discussed in this episode: Taylor’s sources: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/04/jack-kerouac-neal-cassady-friendship/622829/ https://www.foundsf.org/index.php?title=Beat_Generation_and_San_Francisco%27s_Culture_of_Dissent https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jack-Kero...

Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of Jack Kerouac’s1957 novel On the Road. Topics include road trips, the allure of the West, and Really Problematic Men. This week’s drink: The Margarita via liquor.com INGREDIENTS: 2 oz blanco tequila ½ oz orange liqueur 1 oz lime juice, freshly squeezed ½ oz agave syrup Lime wheel and kosher salt, for garnish INSTRUCTIONS Add tequila, orange liq...

In this week’s bonus episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss the history of lesbian literature, including some recommendations for your TBR! They also go on a Taylor Swift tangent, which is perfectly understandable because have you HEARD Midnights?! Books, etc. discussed in this episode: The Well of Loneliness  by Radclyffe Hall Women's Barracks by Tereska Torres The Beebo Brinker Series by Ann Ban...

Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of Ashley Herring Blake’s 2022 novel Delilah Green Doesn’t Care. Topics include finding your community, utterly abysmal men, and those SPICY lady-on-lady scenes! This week’s drink: Pocket Full of Green via Hendrick’s Gin INGREDIENTS 50ml Hendrick’s gin 8-12 mint leaves 30ml cucumber juice 20ml freshly squeezed lemon juice 35ml aloe vera juice 30m...

In this week’s bonus episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss the history of gothic literature, and give y’all some recommendations for your TBR! Books, etc. discussed in this episode: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner The Graveyard Book...

Spooky Season continues! Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s 2020 novel Mexican Gothic. Topics include femininity, 1950s outfits, and MUSHROOMS! Mushrooms everywhere! This week’s drink: Black Widow Smash via Half-Baked Harvest INGREDIENTS 8 fresh blackberries, plus more for topping 1-2 tsp fresh rosemary, plus a sprig for serving Juice from half a lemon 1-...

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...