Join us as we discuss Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken. As we start a new year and new resolutions we decided to dive into this comprehensive read about what actually is in the food many of us eat every day. The science, marketing, and business models that surround what we consume is fascinating. We enjoyed learning about our food supply without being told what we should eat.

We had a great time discussing this non-fiction read with a refreshing mocktail.

Spa Water Mocktail

5 oz organic coconut water

1/2 oz lime juice (we used lime and lemon juice)

4 cucumber slices

4-6 mint leaves

splash of sparkling water

We added the cucumber, mint, and juice to a cocktail shaker and muddled. We added chilled coconut water, gave it a shake, and poured into wine goblets over ice. We topped it off with sparkling water.

Here are the others books mentioned in this episode:

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Bread of Angels by Patti Smith

High Tea and Misdemeanors by Laura Childs

Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar

The Lucky Ride by Yasushi Kitagawa

The Elements by John Boyne

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

Thanks for joining us in the The Reading Lounge!

We look back at our reading through 2025 to pick our favorite podcast books, favorite books overall, and favorite cocktails! We take a look forward into 2026 - what will we do differently?? 2025 will be hard to top with each of us having more 5-star reads than in year's past.

We end the year with what might be our best "get cozy and read" cocktail of the year: A Warm and Fuzzy!

8 oz freshly brewed coffee

1 oz Irish Cream liqueur

1 oz nut-flavored liqueur (we used Frangelico)

Whipped cream and freshly grated nutmeg for garnish

Make yourself a Warm and Fuzzy and look back with us at a great 2025 Reading Year. We can hardly wait for the great books we'll uncover in 2026!

Sarah and Cynthia discuss The Council of Dolls by Mona Susan Power. This is a multi-generational story of three Native American women and how their history, memories, and traumas make them who they are and impact the future generations. Their beloved dolls are part of their lives and part of their stories through the generations. Join us to see if you'd like to add this 2023 novel to your TBR list.

We have a lovely autumnal cocktail developed by Sarah!

The Spiritual Guide

1 oz. Amaretto

2 oz. Dry Apple Cider

3 oz. Prosecco

2-3 fresh sage leaves

.25 oz. fresh lemon juice

Optional: A dash of Angostura bitters

In a shaker, muddle sage with lemon juice. Add Amaretto and cider, then shake lightly with ice. Strain into a chilled flute or coupe glass. Top with Prosecco and garnish with a sage leaf or apple slice.

We are a little late getting to our seasonal reads - but there is plenty of cozy autumn weather to enjoy some great reads! We share what we are both looking forward to reading during the coziest reading season of all. We even offer a cocktail suggestion for those autumnal reading vibes.

Welcome into The Reading Lounge for our October "spooky" read - Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury. We are happy we added this to our reading list as adults so that we can fully appreciate the elegant and descriptive prose of Bradbury. If you read this in your younger years, perhaps it is worth a second go around with this suspenseful page turner.

We paired this month's read with a cocktail aptly named, Cursed Carnival. Sip on a Cursed Carnival while you let Bradbury spin a tale of good and evil told against the backdrop of a malevolent traveling carnival.

Cursed Carnival

1.5 oz dark rum

1 oz pineapple juice

1/2 oz lime juice

1/2 oz grenadine

crushed ice

maraschino cherry for garnish

Mix all ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Strain into chilled cocktail glasses and garnish with a cherry.

Other books mentioned during this episode:

Liliana's Invincible Summer

The Phoenix Pencil Company

The Names

Audition

Wanting Daisy Dead

The Sequel

In this episode of The Reading Lounge, Sarah and Cynthia discuss The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz. An aptly titled mystery that takes place within the publishing world. Besides, don't we all love books about books? Listen in and hear out take and decide if you want to add it to your TBR list.

Don't forget to mix up this fitting cocktail while you settle in for some reading time.

The Imposter

1.5 oz Limoncello

1/2 oz Aperol

3/4 oz grapefruit juice

Tonic water

Grapefruit peel and rosemary spring to garnish (optional)

Fill a wine glass with ice. Add the limoncello, Aperol, and grapefruit juice. Stir and top with tonic water. Garnish and enjoy!

Welcome into The Reading Lounge. Sarah and Cynthia discuss Big Girl by Mecca Jamilah Sullivan. Big Girl is a coming of age story of an obese young woman growing up in Harlem and discovering who she is and through the complex relationships in her world. Did we like it? Hint: One of us gave it a coveted five star rating!

Enjoy the read along with this month's cocktail: Starving Artist.

Starving Artist

1 oz vodka

1/2 oz Campari

1/2 oz pineapple juice

2 oz proseco

In a shaker with ice, combine vodka, Campari, and pineapple juice. Shake briefly and strain into a flute or couple. Top with proseco and serve chilled.

Other books mentioned in this episode:

1. The Hollow Half by Sarah Aziza
2. You Dreamed of Empires by Alvaro Enrigue
3. Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson
4. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Sarah and Cynthia talk about the Booker Fiction Prize long list of finalists. Which are we adding to our TBR list!

Check out https://thebookerprizes.com/ for more information and details on the 13 books long listed for the fiction prize.

We'll see you in The Reading Lounge!

Cynthia and Sarah discuss Typewriter Beach by Meg Waite Clayton. With dual timelines set in 1950s and modern day Hollywood, themes of loss, found families, and inequality are explored.

Hear about the other books we've read including:

• Hot Air by Marcy Dermansky
• The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper by Roland Allen
• Who is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service by Michael Lewis
• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night by Mark Haddon
• They're Going to Love You by Meg Howrey
• Come and Get It by Kiley Reid

This month's cocktail should be an award winner - delicious!

The Starlet

4 mint leaves

3/4 oz silver tequila

1/2 oz elderflower liqueur

1/2 oz simple syrup

1/2 oz lime juice

3 oz champagne

Starfruit for garnish (very optional)

In a cocktail shaker combine simple syrup, lime juice, and mint leaves. Use a muddler or wooden spoon to muddle the mint. Add tequila and elderflower liqueur and fill shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Strain into a glass and top with champagne.

Shake up a cocktail and join us in The Reading Lounge.

What are Sarah and Cynthia reading this summer? Find out in this bonus episode of The Reading Lounge. Learn about six books you may want to pack into your summer tote bag. And don't forget the summer beverage. Sarah shares her recipe for homemade Limoncello. We used this beautiful liquor to make a Limoncello Spritz.

3 oz Prosecco

2 oz Limoncello

1 oz Club Soda

Sprig of Mint (optional)

Meet us in The Reading Lounge!