We each highlight a few new books that we're adding to our TBR list. Plus, we have a Spring cocktail you may enjoy whenever you find some reading time in this new season.

Vodka Thyme Lemonade

1 C sparkling lemonade

3 oz vodka

1 sprig thyme

Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and pour over ice!

In this episode of The Reading Lounge Sarah and Cynthia discuss West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge. Inspired by a true story, Rutledge takes us on a journey with a pair of giraffes, their caretaker, and our storyteller across the country headed for the San Diego Zoo. A tale told against the backdrop of The Great Depression makes for great discussion. Join us while sipping on this month's cocktail, a Giraffe's Print!

2 oz spicy golden rum

1 oz Amaretto

1 oz fresh lemon juice

1 oz simple syrup

2 dashes Angostura bitters

1 egg white

Ice

Orange peel (we used lemon peel) for garnish

Add rum through bitters into shaker with ice and pour into your favorite cocktail glass. Whip up egg white and add a dollop to top. Garnish with citrus peel.

Enjoy!

Welcome to The Reading Lounge! Sarah and Cynthia discuss Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford. Perhaps not many find fame in the sunset of their lives but Mrs. Quinn's love of baking puts her front and center. The unexpected fame also illuminates the cost of keeping secrets in a nearly 60-year long marriage. If you enjoy The Great British Baking Show as much as we do, the setting for this fun and engaging novel will make you smile and keep turning page after page.

Let's not forget this episode's cocktail - A Sticky Toffee Fizz!

You'll need:

1 oz. Spiced Rum

1/2 oz. Butterscotch liqueur

1/2 oz Caramel Toffee liqueur

1 2/3 oz Brut Champagne/sparkling wine

We made a few modifications - listen in to find out what to do when you can't find Caramel Toffee liqueur!

Thank you for joining us in The Reading Lounge.

Thanks for joining us in The Reading Lounge! Sarah and Cynthia discuss the novel A Walker in the Evening by Nick Owchar. This is a beautifully crafted literary novel that is intelligent, interesting, and will keep you turning page after page.

Be sure to try this episode's signature cocktail: The Night Walker!

1 oz Rum

1 oz Vodka

1/2 oz Triple Sec

1 oz Cassis

2 oz Orange Juice

1 oz Lime Juice

Mix all ingredients in a shaker, serve over crushed ice. Garnish with pineapple wedge or lime.

Hint: We think fresh lime juice was key!

Cynthia and Sarah recap their reading year and choose their favorite books and cocktails. We hope you enjoy this brief bonus episode. Join us to raise a glass to the great reading of 2024!

Cynthia and Sarah discuss the 2013 novel The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey. Set in 1918, the story follows two people attempting to craft a life in the harsh Alaskan wilderness. The tragedies and longings are with them and so is hope that manifests in numerous ways. A great read at any time of year, but the novel beautifully captures the Alaskan seasons - especially the beauty and harsh reality of winter.

We paired this novel with a Holiday Aperol Spritz shared by @drinkswithdanica.

2 oz aperol

2 oz cranberry juice

1 oz club soda

3+ oz Proseco

Fill a wine glass with ice. Add aperol, cranberry juice and club soda. Stir and top with Proseco. Garnish with cranberries and a rosemary sprig. (We think the garnish really makes this drink!)

Thanks for stopping by The Reading Lounge!

Join Cynthia and Sarah in The Reading Lounge for a lively discussion of Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin. The novel harkens back to not so long ago scandals and led us to the question, "Has anything changed?" Be sure to sip on The Politician, a fitting cocktail for this fun read.

We'll meet you in The Reading Lounge!

The Politician

.75 oz gin

.75 oz whisky

1 oz lemon juice

.5 oz grenadine

.5 oz grapefruit syrup

.25 oz simple syrup

Mix and serve over ice with a lemon twist.

Autumn is made for reading! Get cozy and hear about the new fall books Sarah and Cynthia are excited about. What is your favorite new book?

We are in the Halloween spirit in The Reading Lounge as we discuss Frankenstein. Go beyond the movies to enjoy the gothic story written by 18-year-old Mary Shelley. Tell us what you think of this original horror story.

Pour yourself a Frankenstein cocktail while you listen to get into the spirit.

Frankenstein

1.5 oz vodka

1 oz melon liqueur (we used Midori)

1/2 oz fresh lime juice

2 oz ginger beer

Mix all ingredients over ice and garnish with a gummy worm or two for a special Halloween treat.

Enjoy!

Join us as we discuss Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy. Though published earlier this year, this one wasn't on our book radar until we learned that Ann Patchett recommended this novel. As listeners know, we love all of Ann Patchett's books and will always give her recommendations a try. As expected, this one did not disappoint. Listen in to learn what we loved about this novel. Perhaps you'll add to your TBR list.

Let's not forget this episode's cocktail:

The Mouse Trap

1.5 oz Triple Sec

2 oz Vodka

2 oz Orange juice

3 oz 7-Up or Sprite

1.5 oz Grenadine syrup

Shake vodka, triple sec, and orange juice with ice. Strain into cocktail glass and add soda (do not shake, stir). Layer drink with grenadine syrup.

Enjoy.