This week, we’re off to the deceptively cozy village of St. Mary Mead, where gossip flows freely and murder is just around the hedgerow. Join us as Miss Marple makes her unforgettable debut in The Murder at the Vicarage—knitting needles in hand and sharper than ever.

My guest this week is author Kemper Donovan. Kemper began his writing career while still working as a manager, eventually publishing his debut novel, The Decent Proposal, after a lengthy journey to publication. Around the same time, he co-created the podcast All About Agatha with his friend Catherine Brobeck, celebrating the work of Agatha Christie. Following Catherine’s passing in 2021, Kemper has continued the podcast on his own, and his passion for Christie’s mysteries led him to create his own Ghostwriter mystery series including books The Busy Body and Loose Lips, now published by Kensington Books. He lives with his husband and their two daughters, and when not writing or podcasting, he enjoys running and making valiant attempts at playing the violin.

Our drink this week is Miss Marples Cherrry Blossom from the book Agatha Whiskey by Colleen Mullany in which Kemper wrote the forward!

MISS MARPLE’S CHERRY BLOSSOM 

Serves 2

Miss Jane Marple's character is based loosely on Agatha's grandmother and her friends, and has appeared in twelve novels and twenty short stories. She makes her own cherry brandy from her garden, claiming that a bit of brandy helps ease one's nerves. Cheers to that, Jane!

1 ounce gin

1 ounce cherry brandy

1 ounce sake

¾ ounce grenadine

1 ounce lemon juice

Edible flowers for garnish

In a shaker with ice, combine all ingredients. Shake well, strain into coupe glasses, garnish with edible flowers, and serve.

Mocktail! Replace the gin with Monday or another nonalcoholic spirit, the cherry brandy with San Pellegrino's Sanbitter Red or another nonalcoholic aperitif, and the sake with Gekkeiken alcohol-free Daiginjo Sake or another nonalcoholic sake. Prepare as above.

In this Episode

All About Agatha Podcast

Kemper’s Website

Hercule Poirot Series

The Murder at the Vicarage Episode- All About Agatha Podcast

Dr. Mark Aldridge - Agatha Christie Historian

Shedunnit Podcast

Anne of Green Gables Episode -Drinks in the Library 

Welcome to this week’s episode of Drinks in the Library! Today we’re exploring Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher, a darkly whimsical tale of a shy princess who undertakes an impossible quest — armed with a dustwitch, a reluctant fairy godmother, and a dog made of bones — to rescue her sister from a cruel prince and a cursed kingdom.

My guest this week is my husband, Bill Howard. I asked if he wanted me to read a little bio for him, and he said he’d actually prefer to have even less of himself on the internet — which, frankly, is impossible given all the stuff I’ve already spilled about him on this podcast.

Both Bill and I love Nettle & Bone so much and it was fun to talk with him about it! This book is a dark fairy tale and I wanted to pick a dark drink, I think any will do but I went with an Espresso Martini because that is one of Bill’s favorite cocktails. 

Espresso Martini

1 ounce espresso or cold brew coffee

2 ounces vodka

1 ounce coffee liqueur, I used Virago, and RVA distillery

.5 ounce simple syrup, or to taste

Ice

Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. You can be cute an garnish it with coffee beans if you want!

In this Episode

Rick Flair

Charlotte Hornets Starter Jackets

Books by T. Kingfisher

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson DITL Episode

Hyperion by Dan Simmons DITL Episode

Family Search

Hugo Awards

Hello Libration Nation, this week we are discussing The Women by Kristin Hannah. The Women is a powerful, heart-wrenching novel that follows a young nurse, Frankie McGrath, as she volunteers to serve in the Vietnam War — a world of violence, loss, and unspoken heroism. Through her journey, Hannah shines a light on the often overlooked stories of the women who fought, served, and survived, both overseas and at home.

My guest this week is my friend and neighbor, Sarah Glover. Sarah is a teacher by day, mom 24/7. Baker of cookies and sarcasm. Fueled by coffee, true crime, and dark humor. Probably judging your grammar while reading murder mysteries.

Our drink this week was Cut Water Mai Tais! In the book while on R&R Frankie and her friends cut loose with this refreshing, fruity rum drink, so Sarah and I decided to as well!

My plug for this week is that it’s Independent Bookstore Day this coming Saturday April 26th. Please make an effort to support your local shop by visiting them in person or shopping online or through Bookshop.org Here in Richmond you can visit nine participating shops for a chance to earn a $50 gift card. Start at any of the nine participating stores and they will give you a Passport and your first stamp. First day is April 26th. You have until May 10th to get all nine. 

Nine participating stores:

@resist_bks (Sat pop up with @thelitbaebookshop)

@tlbookshopva 

@bbgbbooks 

@fountainbookstore 

@abi_books_brews 

@bookpeoplerva 

@ilysm_books 

@midlobooks 

@shelflifebooksrva

In this Episode

Books by Kristin Hannah

Hello Libration Nation! This week we are discussing Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins. This is a love story… kind of. It’s about a princess, an outlaw, a lot of philosophical rambling, and a surprising number of Camel cigarettes. Tom Robbins basically asks: how do you make love stay? The answers are weird, hilarious, and occasionally involve explosives.

I'm so excited for my guest this week: Michael Bickett is an award-winning podcaster with over a decade of experience and 1,000+ podcast credits. As the Founder and COO of Certified Crucial, he helps creators monetize their podcasts through eco-friendly, custom merchandise solutions. Michael is also the Founder and CEO of Geeks Under the Influence, an award-winning digital media company and podcast network.

A mentor for the RVA Community of Podcasters, he’s passionate about making the podcast industry more inclusive and accessible. With expertise in branding, monetization, and community-building, Michael is a sought-after speaker on topics like creator-driven merchandise, co-branded deals, and creating equitable opportunities in digital spaces.

Since Tom Robbins did spend some time here in Richmond, I wanted to pick a drink that is local. We went with Kopper Kettle's Bourbon Whiskey 

In this Episode

Geeks Under the Influence Digital Media

Certified Crucial

Michael Bickett Linktree

Village Café - Richmond, Virginia

Books by Tom Robbins

On the Road - Jack Kerouac

Books by Kurt Vonnegut - Or listen to my Slaughterhouse Five Episode

Hi Libration Nation! I am coming to you this National Library week with a delightful book Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire, which offers a whimsical, yet dark exploration of fantasy realms where each child's story revolves around finding and losing mystical doors to other worlds.

My guest this week is Britt Keup. Britt is a corporate girly by day, and an avid reader at night. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Britt created her Bookstagram account, what_britt_reads, to share her lifelong love of reading and be a part of a community that loves reading as much as she does. Although she isn't posting on the grid as often, she is still furiously reading behind the scenes and sharing fun instagram stories about all of the books she's reading and her love of her two pups, Ollie and Smokey. Aside from devouring a great book, Britt enjoys spending time with her fiancé, Bryan, her pups, fitness, live music, spending time with friends and she's currently writing her first novel! If you're looking for book recommendations, check her out on her Bookstagram account, what_britt_reads.

Our drink this week is one of my favorite Cabernet Sauvignon’s, a profile both Britt and I love: Double Black’s Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles

Lastly, it is National Library Week, support your local library by visiting a branch, getting a library card if you don’t already have one, and finding other ways to get involved, libraries need our support now more than ever.

In this Episode

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

ACOTAR - A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Crescent City Series - by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco

Hello Libration Nation!, I am so excited for you to hear this week’s episode. Our book is Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe, and my guest is the absolutely amazing Forest Issac Jones. If you didn’t guess it immediately, we paired this book with the most Irish of drinks, a smooth, cold Guinness beer.

Forest Issac Jones is an award-winning author of nonfiction, history, and essays. He specializes in Irish history, the US Civil Rights Movement, and Northern Ireland. He lives in Salem, Virginia. His book, Good Trouble: The Selma, Alabama, and Derry, Northern Ireland Connection 1963-1972, will be released on April 1st, 2025, so if you’re reading this, it’s out!

This episode was so special as Forest spoke with me about his experience writing Good Trouble and reading Say Nothing, exploring the Northern Ireland Troubles and the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. I cannot say enough about what I learned through reading this book, interviewing Forest, and all I can say, if you’re listening to me, to check out Good Trouble now!

And also, if you are loving Drinks in the Library, please go to wherever you listen to your podcasts and leave a review and five stars. I really do check those every week, and it’s so encouraging to me to see the numbers go up. Also, support the show by telling two friends about it this week. This really helps me grow and shares our love of books, reading, and, of course, amazing beverages!

In this Episode

Say Nothing Series on Hulu

Disappearance of Jean McConville

Bloody Sunday, Derry Ireland January 30, 1972

Understanding Northern Ireland’s Troubles

On Bloody Sunday:A New History of the Day and Its Aftermath by Those Who Were There  by Julieann Campbell

Burntollet Bridge Attack

Selma to Montgomery March

Dolours and Marian Price

Gerry Adams

Brendan Hughes

Northern Ireland Internment: What is its legacy?

Edmund Pettus Bridge Bloody Sunday March 7, 1965

Eamonn McCann

Marian Price lawsuit against Disney+ over Say Nothing TV Show

Boston College Tapes: Troubles Cofessions

Sheyann Webb-Christburg

Richard Smiley

Billy McVeigh and the Derry riots

Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland - PBS series

Bernadette Devlin

Hello Libration Nation! I’m thrilled to welcome Sarah Glenn Marsh to this week's episode as we uncover the wonders of "The Last Ranger" by Peter Heller. A thrilling exploration of nature's beauty and human empathy, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat. And we've paired it with the citrusy and daring Lone Ranger cocktail—tequila, lemon, and a hint of rose—capturing the essence of adventure.

Sarah Glenn Marsh has been an avid fantasy reader since the day her dad handed her a copy of The Hobbit and promised it would change her life. She believes we all deserve happy endings and is an author of books for everyone, including many young adult, middle grade, and picture book titles. She lives in Richmond, Virginia with her family, including one sweet daughter, one slightly dull sword, and the chaos of many pets, like a turtle named Muffin who she definitely did not bring back from any haunted swamp. We Could Be (Anti)heroes is her first adult novel and will be coming out Spring 2026.

And hey, before you go—if you’re loving Drinks in the Library, can you do me a favor? Drop a quick review, hit us with some stars, and most importantly, tell two friends this week. Sharing is caring, and it helps us keep the good times rolling. 

The Lone Ranger Cocktail (fron liquor.com)

1 1/2 ounces tequila

1 ounce lemon juice

1/2 ounce rich simple syrup

2 ounces brut rosé sparkling wine

Garnish: lemon twist

Add the tequila, lemon juice and simple syrup to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.

Add the sparkling wine.

Strain into a Collins glass filled with fresh ice.

Garnish with a lemon twist.

In this Episode

Sarah’s Books on Bookshop.org

The Last Ranger by Peter Heller

Sarah Glenn Marsh's Website

Kook by Peter Heller

Yellowstone National Park

Fota Wildlife Park in Ireland

Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy

Hello, Libration Nation! 📚✨ This week, we’re diving into Parable of the Sower  by the legendary Octavia Butler. If you haven’t read it yet, get ready—it’s a powerful, thought-provoking novel that feels more relevant than ever.

My guest this week is the lovely Gretchen Gales, a writer, teacher, editor, and occasional artist. Her first poetry chapbook Agora Alien Buddha Press, 2023) is available now. Gretchen's work has also appeared in Ms., HuffPost, Next Avenue, YourTango, Well + Good, and others. See more of her work at www.writinggales.com. 

Our drink this week is a green tea highball, which pairs with the Earthseed, which if you have read the book you know is a major part of the story, and if you haven't read the book yet, now is your chance!

Now one last thing, if you love this podcast, do me a favor—take a moment to review, give us a star rating, and most importantly, tell two friends about Drinks in the Library this week. It makes a huge difference!

Green Tea Highball

2 oz. Whisky

2½ oz. Tea

½ oz. Simple syrup

½ oz. Lemon juice

Top up with Soda

Pour over ice in a highball glass, garnish with a lemon wheel.

In this Episode

Well + Good

Quail Bell Magazine

Libby 

Hoopla

Kindred by Octavia Butler

Parable of the Sower Graphic Novel

Kindred Graphic Novel

John Green's take on Parable of the Sower

Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer

Valley Haggard

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Educated by Tara Westover

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

Books by R. Eric Thomas

 Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson 

Hello, Libration Nation! 📚✨ This week, we're diving into Be Ready When the Luck Happensby none other than Ina Garten. And joining me is the fabulous Mair Downing!

Our drink this week is a classic Cosmopolitan because Ina Garten has a hilarious video she made at the beginning of the pandemic where she makes a giant, I mean GIANT cosmopolitan, Mair even brought over a giant martini glass for us to replicate it!

In this Episode

Olive Kittridge by Elizabeth Strout

Ina Garten Cocktail Hour

A little bit about Mair:

Mair transitioned into real estate from a Fortune 200 company because she wanted a career where she could make a real difference in people’s lives. Whether working with buyers, sellers, or investors—helping clients right-size or find that perfect river getaway—she believes in the energy that comes from realizing goals are within reach. And with Mair’s guidance, they are.

WHY MAIR?

Everything Mair does is focused on minimizing stress and maximizing joy. She is trained in developing strategies that enhance her clients' strengths, setting them up for early success. She values honesty and transparency and runs an accountable, process-centric business. Behind every seamless transaction is a great deal of preparation—she ensures that everything is in place to make the process feel effortless.

FREE TIME

When Mair isn’t showing homes or preparing listings, she’s cheering on her teen daughters in their various activities—soccer, volleyball, and basketball—or snuggling with her Havanese, Odie (and, of course, her husband, too!). She loves to travel, enjoy great food, and soak in all that life has to offer. For quiet moments, she finds peace sitting on a dock, watching the water glimmer with a good book. Favorite right now: Demon Copperhead.

So, grab your Cosmo and settle in for a great conversation! And before we dive in, I have a quick favor to ask—if you love this podcast, take a moment to review, give us a star rating, and most importantly, tell two friends about Drinks in the Library this week. It really helps us grow!

Our book this week is the classic love, revenge, and ghost story, Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, and my guest this week is Carrie Pruett.

Carrie is a power user of the Henrico County, Virginia library. She loves books, movies, and also loves podcasts about books and movies. She frequently appears on the podcast 'Worst Bestsellers' to talk about teenage vampires and horse girls.  When she was 13, she accidentally read 'Wuthering Heights' because her mom told her it was 'like Pride and Prejudice.'  (It wasn't).  Ever since then, she has enjoyed stories about terrible people who make bad decisions, especially if they do it in English country houses.

Our drink this week is a Sam Smith beer from Yorkshire England, near the Moores where Wuthering Heights is set. Sam Smith is Yorkshire’s oldest brewery, it even predates the Brontë sisters and was is a great drink to enjoy while reading this dark, brooding ghost story

If you enjoy the show, please either head over to where you get your podcast and give me 5 stars and a review, or tell two people about it this week. This helps me grow the show and keep it going, as always, I appreciate your support!

In this Episode

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Books by Tana French

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Books by Thomas Hardy 

All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot

The Brontës by Juliet Barker

Worst Bestsellers Podcast