click to listen Criminy! The Mikes forage for some insights and witticisms about John Blackburn's first novel, and return home empty handed (and covered with ticks). They wonder about first-novel awkwardness and hope for better in later books. It's Cocktail Time! A Fungus among Us In a shaker, combine 2 tablespoons lime juice2 table spoons orange juice1/2 teaspoon mushroom powder (such as oyster mushroom)3 tablespoons mescal1 tablespoon triple sec shake with ice and pour into margarita glass rimmed with salt.

Click to listen. Pack the station wagon, head to the Adirondacks and join The Two Mikes as they vacation with Michael Talbot's  Night Things.  Is that a Fallen Angel under your covers or are you just excited to see us?  Do yourself a favor and head straight to the rental agent and demand better accommodations. It's Cocktail Time! The Adirondack Moonrise 2 shots blended Canadian Whiskey3 Tablespoons maple syrup1 Tablespoon wild blueberries1 lemon wedgeSplash of seltzer. Muddle the berries, lemon and maple syrup in an Old Fashion glass. Fill with ice and pour in the whiskey and seltzer.  Stir well. Garnish with lemon.

click to listen The Mikes get their hands dirty and moist digging into Michael Talbot's second novel. We learn about what bog tannins can do to human remains (preserve them) and what hanging out with a demon can do to a sorcerer (preserve them).  It's Cocktail time! The Bog Body In a cocktail shaker, combine:1 1/2 shots scotch (something peaty)1 shot Mirto liqueur (myrtle liqueur)3 dashes Angostura bitterssprig of crushed fresh thymeShake with ice and pour into a tumbler of ice. Fill glass with ginger beer and garnish with lemon slice. 

Click To Listen Dudes Solve all the mysteries with all the Mike's as they bite into The Delicate Dependency.  Something is certainly catching and hopefully it is not an invulnerable virus. Perhaps you'll ride a Dodo bird through the orchid green house or maybe you'll just walk out the door and head on home. Those silly vampires, what they won't do.  It's Cocktail Time! Hot House Flower  One bottle of KavaEqual parts half cranberry juice and pomegranate juiceTwo big glugs of Cointreau A healthy splash of Orange Blossom Water p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px} Pour into a large iced pitcher, stir, decant into Champagne flutes and garnish with pomegranate seeds. Chin Chin.

click to listen The Mikes round out their reading of Kathe Koja's first three books by wrestling with art and possession and the perils of hanging around with artists. Especially theatre-types. Do we have piercing insights or merely make cutting remarks? You're the judge. It's Cocktail Time! Stud in the Tongue In a martini shaker with crushed ice, add2 shots good gin1/2 or 1 shot good dry vermouth1, maybe 2, drops Liquid SmokeShake and strain into chilled martini glassgarnish with a lemon peel spiked on a 10-penny nail

click to listen The Mikes beat their heads against Kathe Koja's second novel until something finally breaks loose. It's Cocktail Time! A Blow to the Head In a cocktail shaker with ice, add1.5 shots rye whiskey .5 shot Benedictine .5 shot dry vermouth Shake and strain into a chilled martini glassGarnish with orange twist.Chin chin!

Click to listen  The Two Mikes shove it into an unspeakable hole with Kathe Koja and her first novel The Cipher.  What goes in does not always come out quite right, and that should be a lesson to us all.  It's Cocktail Time! The Black Hole Martini 2 oz. good vodka1 oz. Creme de Ciel or some other blue curaçao1/2 oz. Chambord or some other black raspberry liqueur Shake with ice and strain into martini glass.  Garnish with a lemon peel. Chin Chin.

click to listen The Mikes (Moncada, Stoffel, McDowell) sandbag furiously to keep from gushing about the excellence of this book. It's Cocktail Time! Blackwater 1/2 tsp. food-grade activated charcoal1 shot simple syrup2 shots Tennessee whiskeyzest of 1/2 lemon3 dashes Angostura bitters Mix all ingredients into cocktail shaker filled with ice; strain into chilled martini glass. Closing Music: "Perdido" by Spade Cooley Band

Click To Listen Take a road trip with the Mikes, Michael McDowell, and The Elementals. Can they relax in the Redneck Rivera? Take a sip and tell us, is that sugar or sand in your sweet tea? Cocktail Time! Sand in Your Crack Rim a martini glass with Turbinado sugar. In a shaker of ice put in: 2 shots dark rum2 shots light rum2 shots pomegranate juice1 shot fresh lime juice Shake well and strain in the rimmed glass.  Garnish with a lime wedge or a pecan sandy.

click to listen The Mikes rejoice to read a real and ripping spinner-rack horror novel from the genre's heyday in the 70s and 80s. Join us as we follow the deadly accessory's trail of destruction through a sleepy/sleazy southern town. Fun summer read! It's Cocktail Time! Southern DiscomfortIn a cocktail shaker filled with ice, mix 2 shots fresh grapefruit juice2 shots Southern Comfort1/2 shot simple syrupShake. In rocks glass rub a slice of fresh jalapeno pepper around the rim, fill with ice and toss in the pepper slice. Strain shaker into glass. Enjoy. Hmm . . . somethin' ain't right . . .  closing music: "I Keep Forgetting" by Laura Jane Grace