We're changing the Books and Bites format up a little bit with this episode and dividing this month's discussion into two separate episodes. Today we'll each give a detailed review of one book, and then in a couple weeks we'll air another episode with some brief recommendations from each of us.

Book Notes

• Carrie enjoyed The Mere Wife by Maria Dhavana Headley, a feminist retelling of Beowulf.
• Unless you're a fan of realistic fiction that focuses on social drama, Adam advises staying away from Anna K: A Love Story by Jenny Lee, an adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina.
• Michael recommends Victor LaValle’s Destroyer written by Victor LaValle and illustrated by Dietrich Smith.  This graphic novel reimagines Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

Bite Notes

• An Aquafaba Whiskey Sour will help you ride out the ups and downs in The Mere Wife.
• For some sweet to go with his probably-too-sour review, Adam suggests indulging in a traditional Korean Valentine’s treat, pepero cake. For pepero cake and other Korean recipes, check out Korean Cooking Simplified by Lori Yun.
• Pair Victor Lavalle’s Destroyer with the pre-prohibition cocktail, Corpse Reviver, No.2.