This week I am joined by Dr. Stephanie Lau, she is research faculty in the School of Education at VCU, she has a Masters of Arts in Teaching as well as a PhD in Public Policy and Administration. She is also a wife and mom of two young boys, and on top of all this she has co-run our neighborhood bookclub with me since 2021!

Stephanie picked one of the many books we have read for bookclub, Olga Dies Dreaming Xóchitl González. Olga is a wedding planner in Brooklyn trying to find her way, but will her mother-turned-Puerto-Rico-revolutionary ruin all her plans? This book is LAY-ERED, there is so much about family, parenthood, Puerto Rican history, love, loss, and maybe everything else in-between. We had a great time talking about this book and I loved the thoughtfulness Stephanie came to this conversation with, and how much of the nuance from the novel she was able to cipher out and demonstrate what a tremendous book this is.

For the drink we chose a Caipinhara, which is the national drink of Brazil and absolutely delicious. Why did we choose a Brazilian drink to discuss a book largely about Puerto Rico? You will just have to listen to the episode to find out!

Caipinhara Recipe

½ lime, quartered

1 teaspoon white sugar

2 ½ fluid ounces cachaça (Brazilian rum)

1 cup ice cubes

Squeeze and drop lime wedges into a large rocks glass. Add sugar and muddle until juices release.

Pour in cachaça and ice. Stir well.

Although I was not able to find a Zero-proof cachaça, using a Ritual Rum will work to make a refreshing alcohol free option!

In this episode:

Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA)

Caipinhara

Anita de Monte Laughs Last - Xóchitl González latest book!

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