Curl up with a great read this winter
With winter’s early onset this year, there’s nothing to do but curl up in a cozy corner and get lost in a book. Here are a few recent releases that will hopefully get you through until spring. And what makes a solo session with a book even better? A cocktail. Whip up a Louisburg Toddy, made with locally produced J. Rieger Whiskey, and take the edge off of the cold!
Russian Winter
Daphne Kalotay
This richly detailed historical debut set in the ballet world will sweep away readers to the darkest days of Stalinist Russian then yank them back to cold contemporary Boston.
Tangerine
Christine Mangan
Two college roommates reunite in the exotic city of Tangiers. Is it happy coincidence or foreboding circumstance? Lonely heiress Alice is languishing in the oppressive heat while Lucy finds the atmosphere dangerously liberating.
The Library Book
Susan Orlean
Curled up by the fire? Don’t get too close. Orlean’s latest work of narrative nonfiction tells the story of the mysterious Los Angeles Public Library fire of 1986.
One Day in December
Josie Silver
One wintery evening as her bus pulls up to the next stop, Laurie spots a man she’s never met before but knows instantly. He is her soulmate.
Heavy: An American Memoir
Kiese Laymon
Not a memoir of the American Dream come true because of, or in spite of, Laymon’s upbringing. It’s a missive to his violent, brilliant mother revealing truths and lies hidden from themselves.
Heating and Cooling
Beth Ann Fennelly
This sexy and slim memoir of 52 page-length life musings are tart, sweet, poignant, snarky, witty and surprising. What all good books and cocktails should be.
The Enchanted Sonata
Heather Dixon Wallwork
15-year-old Clara Stahlbaum has her future perfectly planned: marry the handsome pianist, Johann Kahler, and enjoy a life full of music. That changes when Clara receives a mysterious and magical nutcracker. Whisked away to his world of beautiful palaces, fickle fairies, enormous rats, and a prince, Clara must face a magician who uses music as magic.
The Louisburg Toddy
1.5oz J. Rieger & Co. KC Whiskey
.5oz lemon juice
.5oz Boozy Botanicals Vanilla Allspice
3 oz Louisburg Cider (steamed hot)
Shake first three ingredients to combine and pour into a mug. Top with hot Louisburg apple cider. Enjoy!
