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Wendy and Amy discuss The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas while sipping a Watermelon Prosecco Cocktail. We tackle tough topics like police violence, media spin and how difficult stories continue to teach important lessons. Pop a cork to books that make you stop, think, reflect, and grow.

Ingredients for Today's  Watermelon Prosecco Cocktail:
1 small watermelon, 6 3/4 fl. oz vodka, 1 chilled bottle of Prosecco, and fresh mint

Peel then chop the watermelon into chunks and pop them into the freezer, along with your bottle of vodka. When you're ready to serve, put about a quarter of the watermelon chunks into a blender along wit the vodka and blitz until smooth. Top with Prosecco and then blend on a low setting to combine. Fill a large pitcher with ice, pour the pink cocktail over it and garnish with plenty of fresh mint leaves. 

Links from Show:

1. Prosecco is Always the Answer from Summersdale Publishers
2. Timeline of book banning on the Freedom to Read website
3. American Library Association List of Banned and Challenged Books
4. Discussion questions for banned books
5. Angie Thomas' website. 

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Wendy and Amy discuss Sold by Patricia McCormick and sip a Frozen Lemon Fizzer prosecco cocktail. We talk about the horrific reality of child sex slavery, gender dynamics and women as property. Pop a cork to the strength of a woman!

Ingredients for Today's  Frozen Lemon Fizzer:
4 scoops lemon sorbet, 1  3/4 fl. oz. limoncello, 2 oz. Prosecco, 2 springs mint

Blend the lemon sorbet on low speed and add the limoncello slowly. Add prosecco. Pour into chilled cocktail glasses and serve garnished with mint. 

Links from Show:

1. Prosecco is Always the Answer from Summersdale Publishers
2. Timeline of book banning on the Freedom to Read website
3. American Library Association List of Banned and Challenged Books
4. Discussion questions for banned books
5. Patricia McCormick's website. 

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Wendy and Amy discuss a beloved middle-grade read, Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. We talked about friendship, grief and gender roles. We also explored how a book like this can help when tackling tough topics with young readers. Pop a cork to classics that never get old!

Ingredients for Today's Slow Gin and Blackberry Sparkle Pairing:

1 fl. oz. slow gin

Blackberries

Enough chilled prosecco to fill the glass.

Add the sloe gin to a tumbler along with a blackberry or two before topping it up with prosecco. 

Links from Show:

1. Prosecco is Always the Answer from Summersdale Publishers
2. Timeline of book banning on the Freedom to Read website
3. American Library Association List of Banned and Challenged Books
4. Discussion questions for banned books
5. Katherine Paterson's website. 

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Wendy and Amy discuss their first nonfiction read ever for the podcast, George M. Johnson's memoir All Boys Aren't Blue. We talk about the benefits of reading someone else's story and how much can be learned from them, as well as the value this book in particular brings to readers. Pop a cork to being open to others' truths!

Ingredients for Today's Prosecco Cobbler Cocktail Pairing:

1/2 tsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp curacao

Slice of orange

Enough chilled Prosecco to fill the glass. We use Kirkland purple label. 

Half fill a goblet glass with crushed ice. Add the lemon juice, curacao, and orange slice. Stir, top with Prosecco, stir again and serve. 

Links from Show:

1. Prosecco is Always the Answer from Summersdale Publishers
2. Timeline of book banning on the Freedom to Read website
3. American Library Association List of Banned and Challenged Books
4. Discussion questions for banned books
5. George M. Johnson's website. 

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Wendy and Amy take on heavy topics discussing Thirteen Reasons Why by J. Asher. We talk about story structure and symbology, as well as why such an impactful story would be banned. Pop a cork to books that can teach us to look and listen for ways to help and speak up for others.

Thanks to Podcast Feedspot for helping us spread the word about our podcast!   

Ingredients for Today's Black Velvet Cocktail Pairing:

2 cans Guinness

1 bottle Kirkland's Prosecco

Fill half champagne flutes with beer and then "VERY SLOWLY" top them with chilled prosecco. 

Links from Show:

1. Prosecco is Always the Answer from Summersdale Publishers
2. Timeline of book banning on the Freedom to Read website
3. American Library Association List of Banned and Challenged Books
4. Discussion questions for banned books
5. Need to talk? 1.800.SUICIDE | www.hopeline.com 
6. Jay Asher

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Wendy and Amy discuss a high school staple, The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. We talk about the fourth musketeer, Holden as a contradiction, and ducks. Pop a cork to teen angst. 

Ingredients for Today's D'Artagnan Cocktail Pairing:

1 tsp. Armagnac (We subbed Remi Martin Cognac VSOP)
1 tsp. orange liqueur (We used Grand Marnier)
3 tsp. chilled orange juice
1/2 tsp. simple syrup
Slice of orange
Enough chilled prosecco to fill glass (Kirkland's DOCG | Purple Bottle)

Links from Show:

1. Prosecco is Always the Answer from Summersdale Publishers
2. Timeline of book banning on the Freedom to Read website
3. American Library Association List of Banned and Challenged Books
4. Discussion questions for banned books
5. The 4th Musketeer - D'Artagnan
6. J. D. Salinger

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Wendy and Amy start off the season with one of the most banned and challenged books, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. We talk about reading difficult topics and what can be learned from that. We also dive into a bit of the history of Dick and Jane readers and their use in this novel. Pop a cork to incredible writing that tackles harsh realities. 

Ingredients for Today's Cocktail Pairing:

1/2 fl. oz. gin
1/2 fl. oz. cherry brandy
1/3 fl. oz. lemon juice
4 cherries (Bada Bing Cherries, Tillman Farm
Bottle of prosecco (Kirkland's DOCG | Purple Bottle)

Links from Show:

1. Prosecco is Always the Answer from Summersdale Publishers
2. Timeline of book banning on the Freedom to Read website
3. American Library Association List of Banned and Challenged Books
4. Discussion questions for banned books
5. Dick and Jane link 
6. Dick and Jane (Dana Teach) scholarly article
7. Toni Morrison Society link

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Wendy and Amy are kicking off another season of books and bubbly! This season we'll be talking about banned books and pairing them with some bubbly cocktails. We've got everything we'll be reading and drinking here in the Prologue. Pop a cork to Season 7, banned books, banned booze!

Ingredients for Today's Cocktail Pairing:
from Prosecco is Always the Answer by Summersdale Publishing
10.5 oz. rhubarb, trimmed and finely chopped
2.5 oz. sugar
1 bottle of chilled prosecco (We use Costco's Kirkland brand)

Season 7 Lineup: 

• JAN - Prologue | Rhubarb Bellini
• FEB - Toni Morrison's Bluest Eye | Cherry Pop Prosecco Cocktail
• MAR - J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye | D'artagnan
• APR - J. Asher's 13 Reasons Why | Black Velvet
• MAY - George M. Johnson's All Boys Aren't Blue | Prosecco Cobbler
• JUN - Katherine Paterson's Bridge to Terabithia | Sloe Gin & Blackberry Sparkle
• JUL - Patricia McCormick's Sold | Frozen Lemon Fizzer
• AUG - Angie Thomas' The Hate You Give | Watermelon Prosecco Cocktail
• SEP - Judy Blume's Forever | Maple Fizz
• OCT - Ellen Hopkins' Tricks | Peachy Prosecco Cocktail
• NOV - John Green's Looking for Alaska | Spiced Pear Prosecco
• DEC - Epilogue | Ginger & Lime Sparkler

Links from Show:

1. Prosecco is Always the Answer from Summersdale Publishers
2. New mics: Shure SM57
3. Timeline of book banning on the Freedom to Read website
4. American Library Association List of Banned and Challenged Books
5. Discussion questions for banned books

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Wendy and Amy wrap up the season with a rundown of the books and bubbly they couldn't stop talking about. We give our top three reads and sips of the season. And throw in a teaser for Season 7. Pop a cork to all the characters of Season 6!

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Wendy and Amy find themselves on opposing sides when they discuss Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher. We talked about first loves, fate, couple tattoos, and power dynamics. Pop a cork to memories!
 
Book: Never Never by Colleen Hoover & Tarryn Fisher
Bubbly: Zufini Prosecco

This episode has a SPOILER SUMMARY.

*Our apologies for the sound quality of this episode. We are having technical difficulties with our microphones. Season 7 will have new mics with the best sound quality. Thanks Josh and Ruffino.

Hefty Character Discussion
Several Book Club Questions Discussed

Couple Tattoos Link


Podcast hostesses styled for social media posts this season by an independent cabi stylist.