Books and Bites: Recent Episodes
Jessamine County Public Library
Books and Bites
JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them.
This month, we discuss adventure stories, one of the prompts on the Books and Bites Bingo Reading Challenge. Choose your own adventure, whether it's with a group of teens on a road trip, on top of Mount Everest, or on a pirate ship!
Jacqueline's Pick
Jacqueline enjoyed Five Survive by New York Times bestselling author Holly Jackson. Red Kenny is on a road trip for spring break with five friends. When their RV breaks down in the middle of nowhere with no cell service, they soon realize this is no accident.
They have been trapped by someone out there in the dark, someone who clearly wants one of them dead. With eight hours until dawn, the six friends must escape, or figure out which of them is the target.
Pairing: No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein Cookies, a yummy road-trip treat.
Michael's Pick
Michael took a trip to Mount Everest with Jon Krakauer's nonfiction book, Into Thin Air. Working for Outside magazine, Krakauer was given the opportunity to ascend Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world, during the 1996 climbing season on Rob Hall’s team, Hall being one of the most experienced and respected climbers and guides in the world.
They were about to witness one of the deadliest days in the mountain's history. A storm rolled in on summit day that ultimately left eight people dead. This is Krakauer’s personal account of that expedition, relying on interviews with others to corroborate his experiences and provide perspective.
Pairing: A hot cup of Masala Chai.
Carrie's Pick
Carrie went on an adventure with The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee, a YA novel that takes place in the 18th century. Felicity Montague wants to become a doctor, but the English and Scottish hospital boards she appeals to for apprenticeship turn her down because of her gender.
When she learns that one of her medical idols is about to marry her childhood best friend and may need an assistant, she sets out for Germany to plead her case. What follows is a quest with two other young women involving pirates, a voyage to Algeria, and (spoiler alert!) sea monsters.
Pairing: Shakshouka, an Algerian dish of eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapeno, onion, and spices. Find the recipe in the library database AtoZ World Food.
In honor of this year's summer learning theme, Dig In, we're digging into some authors we already know with the Books and Bites Bingo prompt, read another book by an author you love.
Carrie's Pick
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, a coming of age story that satirizes Gothic novels. Seventeen year-old Catherine Morland visits Bath with family friends, where she indulges in her love of reading Gothic novels.
When her new friends, Henry and Eleanor Tilney, invite her to their home in a former abbey, Catherine’s overactive imagination almost gets the better of her.
Pairing: Bath Buns, a sweet enriched yeast dough bun that was reportedly a favorite of Austen’s.
Michael's Pick
Gone to See the River Man by Kristopher Triana. This splatterpunk novel follows Lori, a superfan of the notorious serial killer, Edmund Cox.
She corresponds with him regularly and even goes as far as to visit him in prison. During one visit, he gives her a task to prove her devotion that she of course eagerly accepts.
Pairing: Mississippi Delta Infusion, a refreshing cocktail inspired by the birthplace of the Delta Blues.
Jacqueline's Pick
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. When orphan Tessa Gray’s aunt dies, Tessa travels across the ocean to reunite with her brother, Nathanial, her only living relative. Upon her arrival, the Mysterious Dark sisters kidnap Tessa, who work for the Magister.
During her captivity, Tessa learns that she has the power to transform into other people. The Magister wants to marry Tessa and use her ability. The Dark Sisters threaten to hurt her and her brother if she fails to comply with their demands to change into other people.
Pairing: Angel Food Cake, a light, airy dessert that goes great with fresh berries.
On this episode, we discuss books by LGBTQIA+ authors, one of the prompts for Books & Bites Bingo. We've got a diverse group of characters and settings for you, including a Splatterpunk novel set in 1990s New Orleans, a Booker Prize-winning novel set in the United Kingdom, and a YA novel set in 1987 El Paso, Texas.
Michael's Pick
Michael read Exquisite Corpse by Billy Martin (formerly Poppy Z. Brite). This Splatterpunk novel about a pair of gay, necrophiliac serial killers in New Orleans is not for everyone--even Michael admits he had to put it down at times. But the lyrical writing and focus on the AIDS epidemic kept him reading.
Pairing: Immerse yourself in the New Orleans setting with a bowl of Duck and Andouille Gumbo, a recipe that be found in Justin Devillier’s The New Orleans Kitchen
Carrie's Pick
Carrie recommends the Booker Prize-winning Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo, an Anglo-Nigerian writer. Each chapter is told from the third-person point of view of eleven different British women and girls and one nonbinary person, ranging in age from their teens to their nineties. Their different classes, races, and sexualities highlight the diversity of the United Kingdom. The book's power grows as you see the characters' lives intersect.
Pairing: This book is full of delicious sounding Caribbean and West African dishes, but the description of a character making Thai Chicken Coconut Curry is especially mouth-watering. Lemongrass and Coconut Curry with Summer Vegetables has similar ingredients and would be a great way to use up some summer squash.
Jacqueline's Pick
Jacqueline enjoyed Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Pen Faulkner Award-winning author Benjamin Alire Sáenz. This YA novel is a coming-of-age, LGBTQIA+ story set in the summer of 1987 in El Paso, Texas. It tells a story of a friendship between two boys on the cusp of manhood. The author uses the boys' friendship to explore issues of family, ethnicity, and sexuality.
Pairing: An Edible Mosaic's brisket recipe would make a good choice for a summer picnic under the stars.
On this episode, we discuss the eleventh prompt in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge, a nonfiction book about something you’re curious about. We hope we can pique your interest with books about octopuses, Sherlock Holmes, and cults!
Book Notes
- Carrie recommends The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery.
- Jacqueline recommends Sherlock Holmes Was Wrong: Reopening the case of the Hound of the Baskerville by Pierre Bayard.
- Michael recommends Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell.
Bite Notes
- Watching a cup of flowering or blooming tea steep is as relaxing as watching an octopus swim.
- Since most of Sherlock Holmes Was Wrong takes place on a windy moor, warm yourself up with the Best White Bean Soup.
- Pair Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism with a pint of Schlafly’s Pumpkin Ale, a beer that has quite the following.
On this episode, we discuss the eleventh prompt in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge, a nonfiction book about something you’re curious about. We hope we can pique your interest with books about octopuses, Sherlock Holmes, and cults!
Book Notes
- Carrie recommends The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery.
- Jacqueline recommends Sherlock Holmes Was Wrong: Reopening the case of the Hound of the Baskerville by Pierre Bayard.
- Michael recommends Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell.
Bite Notes
- Watching a cup of flowering or blooming tea steep is as relaxing as watching an octopus swim.
- Since most of Sherlock Holmes Was Wrong takes place on a windy moor, warm yourself up with the Best White Bean Soup.
- Pair Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism with a pint of Schlafly’s Pumpkin Ale, a beer that has quite the following.
On this episode, we discuss the tenth prompt in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge, read a manga! Manga are comics or graphic novels that began in Japan. Since you read them from right to left instead of left to right, they can be challenging at first. But thanks to the wide variety of subject matter, you should be able to find something you'll enjoy.
Book Notes
- Michael recommends Remina by Junji Ito.
- Carrie recommends She and Her Cat by Makoto Shinkai and Tsubasa Yamaguchi.
- Carrie also seconds former Books and Bites co-host Adam's recommendation of Dragon Goes House-hunting by Kawo Tanuki and Choco Aya.
- Jacqueline recommends Fairytail Vol. 1 by Hiro Mashima.
Bite Notes
- A refreshing pint of Hitachino Nest White Ale nicely juxtaposes with the madness and chaos of Junji Ito’s Remina.
- Pair She and Her Cat with a big bowl of Sapporo Soup Curry from the book Japanese Soul Cooking by Tadashi Ono.
- A bowl of ramen would complement Fairytale, whose character Natsu has a hearty appetite. Try this Quick Homemade Ramen from Pinch of Yum.
On this episode, we celebrate the freedom to read with the ninth prompt in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge, read a banned or challenged book. Dr. Ron Critchfield, JCPL's Executive Director, joins us to discuss the importance of intellectual freedom, the role of parents in helping their children choose books, the problems with censorship, and more.
What's the Difference Between Banned and Challenged Books?
According to the American Library Association, book challenges are "documented requests to remove materials from schools or libraries." A banned book is one that has been removed in response to a challenge.
Book Notes
- Jacqueline recommends The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
- Michael recommends Animal Farm by George Orwell
- Carrie recommends Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison
- Find more banned or challenged books on the ALA's Top 10 Most Challenged Books page or on their Frequently Challenged Books page. You can also stop by the library display in our adult section or ask a librarian for help.
Bite Notes
- Pair The Hate U Give with Red Velvet Cake with Ermine Frosting, a Southern specialty that Starr's neighbor has perfected.
- Yorkshire Wensleydale & Cranberries is the perfect cheese to snack on while reading Animal Farm.
- Martha's American Food: A Celebration of Our Nation's Most Treasured Dishes, from Coast to Coast includes recipes for both Cedar-Plank Roasted Salmon and Pike Place Fish and Chips. Celebrate your freedom to read Lawn Boy with whichever sounds best to you.
On this episode, we discuss the eighth prompt in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge, novellas. These short novels of 200 pages or less are just the right size for reading in one sitting or trying something new. We’ve got something for everyone with cozy SciFi, a creature feature, and a dark fairy tale that both teens and adults will enjoy.
Book Notes
- Carrie recommends A Psalm for the Wild-Builtby Becky Chambers
- Jacqueline recommends The Lost Sistersby Holly Black
- Michael recommends Below by Laurel Hightower
Bite Notes
- Sip a soothing cup of ginger thyme tea while reading A Psalm for the Wild-Built. Or try custom blending tea like Dex, a tea monk. Learn how with Homegrown Tea: An Illustrated Guide to Planting, Harvesting, and Blending Teas and Tisanes.
- Pair The Lost Sisters with peach sorbet, a smooth and easy treat.
- Chow down on savory pepperoni rolls while experiencing the thrills of Below.
On this episode, we welcome our new co-host Jacqueline Cooper and discuss the seventh prompt in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge, books that take place near the ocean. To celebrate our summer learning theme, we have an ocean of possible reads for you, including horror, cozy mystery, and fantasy.
Book Notes
- Michael recommends The Fisherman by John Langan
- Carrie recommends The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths
- Jacqueline recommends The Siren by Kiera Cass
Bite Notes
- Pair The Fisherman with the aptly named Leviathan Baltic Porter from Harpoon Brewery. Appearing like the black ocean in a glass, it has a nose of toasted biscuits and dark fruits with a dark chocolate and earthy finish.
- Munch your way through The Postscript Murders with Spicy, Crisp Puffed Rice Nibbles, a recipe from Madhur Jaffrey's book, Vegetarian India: A Journey through the Best of Indian Home Cooking.
- The Siren deserves a sweet treat like Lemon Layer Cake with Summer Berries, a recipe that reminds Jacqueline of picking berries, swimming, and just enjoying the sun.
On this episode, we discuss the sixth prompt in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge, books that include Black joy. These books celebrate the richness and fullness of Black lives.
Book Notes
- Michael recommends Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby.
- Shantel recommends Seven Days in June by Tia Williams.
- Carrie recommends Mr. Lovermanby Bernardine Evaristo.
Bite Notes
- Pair Blacktop Wasteland with the Richmond, VA, staple, the Sailor Sandwich.
- Enjoy Seven Days in June with the best snickerdoodle cookie recipe.
- Find recipes from Antigua and Barbuda in the library database AtoZ World Food. Dacuna, a sweet potato dumpling, and Seafood Salad sound particularly delicious, though you could also pair Mr. Loverman with a taste of rum.
On this episode, we discuss the fifth prompt in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge, a book published in the decade you were born. We're covering the hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s—brought to you by WJCPL!
Book Notes
- Michael recommends Pet Sematary by Stephen King.
- Carrie enjoyed Pet Sematary's direct opposite, the memoir All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot.
- Adam discusses The Revelation by Bentley Little.
Bite Notes
- Contemplate the ending of Pet Sematary with a whiskey sour.
- Grab a pint of bitter and imagine you're at the pub with James Herriott. A great choice from this side of the pond is Green Man ESB.
- Pair The Revelation with Coffee Ground Cashew Butter, a recipe that turns trash into a tasty treat! Find this recipe in Lindsay-Jean Hard’s Cooking with Scraps.
Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 64
JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them.
On this episode, we discuss the fourth prompt in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge, a biography or autobiography. You may be surprised to find biographies and autobiographies come in varied formats and styles to match any reader’s tastes.
Book Notes
- Adam recommends autobiographical Junji Ito’s Cat Diary: Yon and Mu by horror master Junji Ito.
- Michael recommends You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington by Alexis Coe, which takes an honest and sometimes humorous look at the life of George Washington.
- Carrie recommends genre-bending A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ní Ghríofa. This book pieces together the buried history of eighteenth-century Irish poet Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill.
Bite Notes
- Indulge Juji Ito’s love for the… Lovecraftian with an Earl Grey Bourbon Pomegranate Punch, aptly titled Under the Scarlet Sea. This dark scarlet drink mixes fruity flavors, the bitterness of tea and bourbon, and some intrigue through club soda and black tapioca pearls. Find the recipe at feastinthyme.com
- Start your morning off like George Washington with a plate of hoecakes swimming in melted butter and honey. The recipe can be found in Alexis Coe’s You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington.
- Colcannon, a traditional Irish comfort dish, is the perfect accompaniment to A Ghost in the Throat. Find the recipe in Real Irish Food by David Bowers.
On this episode, we discuss the third prompt in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge, books recommended by young people. Young is a subjective term, so feel free to define it by whatever seems young to you! Reference Librarian Mycah Sylvain kindly fills in for Michael, who is busy welcoming a new young person into his family.
Book Notes
- Carrie and her niece recommend Cat Kid Comic Club by Dav Pilkey. They also enjoy series that feature strong girls having adventures, including Ivy and Bean, Princess in Black, and Bink and Gollie.
- Mycah's younger self enjoyed Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine.
- Adam and members of the JCPL Teen Manga Club recommend Kamisama Kiss by Julietta Suzuki.
Bite Notes
- Get into the spirit of Dav Pilkey's potty humor with some dog poo brownies. They're just regular brownies shaped to look like dog poo. Katharine Hepburn's brownies bake up nice and gooey for that perfect "disgustingly delicious" taste.
- Since noodles are the next best thing to unicorns, pair Ella Enchanted with a bowl of ramen from the cookbook Let's Make Ramen: A Comic Book Cookbook by Hugh Amano.
- Why not accompany Kamisama Kiss with some tasty mochi? Make some yourself with a recipe from Mochi Magic by Kaori Becker.
On this episode, we discuss the second prompt in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge, inclusive and diverse award winners. Our Teen Librarian Jacqueline Cooper stops by to talk about the Global Reads for Teens challenge. [Content warning: the books we discuss describe abuse and racism.]
Book Notes
- Adam recommends The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman
- Michael recommends The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
- Carrie recommends Memorial Drive: A Daughter's Memoir by Natasha Trethewey
Bite Notes
- To accompany The Bridge Home, dig into a comforting bowl of Moong Dal Payasam from Indian for Everyone: The Home Cook's Guide to Traditional Favorites, available in print or as an eBook on Hoopla.
- Pair a cold pint of Guayabera Pale Ale from Cigar City Brewing with Elwood’s and Turner’s harrowing story of survival in The Nickel Boys.
- Savor the sweetness of Trethewey's early childhood with Easy Fig Pecan Bars.
Find More Books With These Diverse Awards
Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards
Arab-American Book Awards
Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature
Association for Asian American Studies
Black Caucus of the American Library Association Literary Awards
Lambda Literary Awards
Stonewall Book Awards
Book Notes
Adam recommends:
- Can’t Stop Cursing You with art by Natsuko Uruma and story by Kensuke Koba
Michael recommends:
- Where All Light Tends to Go by David Joy
Carrie recommends:
- The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
Bite Notes
- In the duplicitous spirit of Can't Stop Cursing You, savor the sweet, fireside smell of Yaki Imo while you and your friends suss out the traitor in your midst. Instructions for these Fire-Roasted Sweet Potatoes can be found in The Gaijin Cookbook by Ivan Orkin and Chris Ying.
- For a tasty treat with Where All Light Tends to Go, travel to the hills of North Carolina with this slow cooker Carolina-Style BBQ recipe.
- Pair The Dictionary of Lost Words with a pot of tea and Esme's specialty, scone-like rock cakes packed with dried fruit.
Book Notes
- Michael recommends Furious Hours : Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee by Casey N. Cep
- Carrie recommends Ivory Shoals by John Brandon
Bite Notes
- Pair Furious Hours with Harper Lee's satirical recipe for Crackling Cornbread.
- Swamp Cabbage Stew makes a satisfying meal when you're roughing it on the Florida frontier.
Book Notes
Carrie recommends:
- Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny
- Home Cooking: A Writer in the Kitchen by Laurie Colwin
Michael recommends:
- Haunted Nights : a Horror Writers Association Anthology edited by Ellen Datlow and Lisa Morton
Adam recommends:
- Witch Hat Atelier, by Kamome Shirahama
Bite Notes
- Complement Early Morning Riser’s Taco Tuesdays with Tacos with Roasted Winter Vegetables and Red Cabbage Slaw. Carrie recommends using corn tortillas from Tortillería Y Taquería Ramírez in Lexington.
- Fall into a….well, fall mood by mixing an Apple Cider Mimosa before turning the chilling pages of Haunted Nights.
- Apprentice witches may break from their studies with Hunny & Rosemary Cakes, inspired by Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne. These cinnamon and rosemary cakes from Kate Young’s The Little Library Cookbookare topped with fluffy cream cheese icing and drizzled with rosemary-infused honey.
Book Notes
Michael recommends:
- The Lesser Dead by Christopher Buehlman
- The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
Adam recommends:
- Dragon Goes House Hunting, written by Kawo Tankui and art by Coco Aya
Carrie recommends:
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Bite Notes
- Saddle up to the bar with a Vampire’s Kiss Martini while vampire Joey Peacock regales you with his tales.
- Pair Dragon Goes House Hunting with a hot bowl of Arkhan the Cruel’s Flame-Roasted Halfling Chili from Heroes' Feast: The Official D&D Cookbook.
- In The Little Library Cookbook: 100 Recipes from Your Favorite Stories, Kate Young suggests Potato & Leek Soup with Rye Bread as the perfect meal to comfort you when reading The Book Thief.
Book Notes
Michael recommends:
- The Everything Ghost Hunting Book: Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Exploring the Supernatural World by Melissa Ellis
- Narconomics: How to Run a Drug Cartel by Tom Wainwright
- How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them by Jason Stanley
Carrie recommends:
- How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell
- Playing with Image Transfers: Exploring Creative Imagery for Use in Art, Mixed Media, and Design by Courtney Cerruti
- Can I Recycle This? A Guide to Better Recycling and How to Reduce Single-Use Plastics by Jennie Romer
- Beyond Beautiful: A Practical Guide to Being Happy, Confident, and You in a Looks-obsessed Worldby Anuschka Rees
Adam recommends:
- You Call This Democracy? How to Fix Our Government and Deliver Power to the People by Elizabeth Rusch
- Period Power: A Manifesto for the Menstrual Movement by Nadya Okamoto
- Girls Garage: How to Use Any Tool, Tackle Any Project, and Build the World You Want to See by Emily Pilloton
Bite Notes
- The Conjuring will offer a chilling cap to a night of investigating the paranormal with The Everything Ghost Hunting Book.
- Enjoy How to Do Nothing with a cup of matcha tea, a type of Japanese green tea powder known for its ability to help you focus.
- Add some fiber to your non-fic dessert pairing with Corn & Blackberry pops. For the full recipe, see People’s Pops, available from JCPL in hard copy.
Book Notes
Adam recommends:
- Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky
- The Ballad of Yaya, Book 1: Fugue by Jeanne-Marie Omont, Charlotte Girard, and Golo Zhao
Michael recommends:
- Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare
- Night of the Mannequins by Stephen Graham Jones
Carrie recommends:
- The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon
- I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
Bite Notes
- Accompany the uncomfortable juxtaposition of creativity & anxiety in Imaginary Friend with a dessert which satisfyingly mixes sweet, tart, and savory flavors: a plum-thyme sundae available in The Forest Feast: Simple Vegetarian Recipes from My Cabin in the Woods.
- Enjoy a refreshing Clowns Cup after a long, hot night of running from killer clowns.
- To take your bonfire from ordinary to extraordinary, check out The Campout Cookbookby Marnie Hanel and Jen Stevenson. It offers a dozen twists on hotdogs and s'mores.
- In her Guardian column Novel Recipes, Kate Young offers two recipes inspired by I Capture the Castle: Bread, Butter, and Honey and Cassandra's Midsummer Cake. For more recipes inspired by books, check out Kate Young's The Little Library Year, available on Hoopla.
Book Notes
Michael recommends:
- In the Valley of the Sun by Andy Davidson
- No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
- The Thicket by Joe R. Landsdale
Carrie recommends:
- Outlawed by Anna North
- True Grit by Charles Portis
- News of the World by Paulette Giles
- Hearts of Horses by Molly Glass
- The Compton Cowboys: The New Generation of Cowboys in America's Urban Heartland by Walter Thompson-Hernandez
Adam recommends:
- The Lone Ranger: The Devil’s Rope written by Mark Russell and illustrated by Bob Q.
Adam does not think Cowboy Ninja Viking (written by A.J. Lieberman and illustrated by Riley Rossmo) has broad appeal.
Bite Notes
- If you have insomnia like the Kid in Outlawed or just find yourself staying up too late reading, try brewing some lemon balm tea.
- To quench your thirst after visiting the desert of West Texas, mix yourself up a Corvette Summer.
- Mosey through Cowboy Ninja Viking with a fresh jar of Pickled Mixed Vegetables from The Cowboy’s Cookbook by Beverly LeBlanc. Like the triplets of CNV, Each bite brings a different flavor to the salty, sweet, sour, and spicy mix.
Book Notes
Adam Recommends
- Flamer by Mike Curato
- Ever After by Olivia Vieweg
Michael Recommends
- The Troopby Nick Cutter
- The Night Will Find Us by Matthew Lyons
Carrie Recommends
- The Wangs vs. the World by Jade Chang
- Professor Chandra Follows His Bliss by Rajeev Balasubramanyam
Bite Notes
- Tasty Campfire Apples in Tinfoil contain the best parts of a flame. Find the recipe in Camp Cooking by the National Museum of Forest Service History.
- Next time you're in the backyard around a campfire, enjoy a twist on an all-time favorite, a S’more’s Milk Shake, a recipe from tasteofhome.com.
- If, like Andrew Wang, eating fried rice is one of your favorite pastimes, try the recipe in Chinese Soul Food by Hsiao-Ching Chou.
Book Notes
- Carrie recommends the first issue of DC Comics' digital series, Represent!: It's a Bird by Christian Cooper and Alitha Martinez.
- Carrie also recommends The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary.
- Michael sleuthed out American Predator: The Hunt for the Most Meticulous Serial Killer of the 21st Century by Maureen Callahan.
- Michael also recommends Ring Shout by P. Djeli Clark.
- Adam shares YA nonfiction, Everything You Wanted to Know about Indians but Were Afraid to Ask by Anton Treuer.
- Adam also recommends JCPL's Story Phone. Dial up a story anytime with the JCPL Story Phone. Simply call the Story Phone line, 859-885-7234, and choose from a selection of stories to listen to. New stories are added each week.
Bite Notes
- The next time you go birdwatching, pack an easy travel snack to keep you fortified. Jenné Claiborne, author of the cookbook Sweet Potato Soul, offers several vegan travel snacks on her website.
- Get cozy with a warm bowl of wild rice pudding from The Sioux Chef's Indigenous Kitchen by Sean Sherman and Beth Dooley.
- Pair American Predator with Maudite, a beer brewed by Unibroue.
Michael Recommends
- The Apocalyptic Mannequin by Stephanie M. Wytovitch
- WWJD and Other Poems by Savannah Sipple
- Light for the World to See: A Thousand Words of Race and Hope by Kwame Alexander
Carrie Recommends
- Monument by Natasha Trethewey
- Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude by Ross Gay
- Fanny Says by Nickole Brown
Adam Recommends
- The Mermaid’s Voice Returns in this One by Amanda Lovelace
- Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
- Cast Away by Naomi Shihab Nye
Book Notes
- Adam enjoyed the novel-in-verse Black Flamingo by Dean Atta.
- Carrie recommends the award-winning parable-in-poems Deaf Republic by Ilya Kaminsky.
- Michael suggests The Virginia State Colony for Epileptics and Feebleminded: Poemsby Molly McCully Brown.
Bite Notes
- Accompany Black Flamingo with Mahalepi, a cool, firm Cyprian pudding. Find the recipe on AtoZ World Foods, a library database.
- Pair Deaf Republic with orange-flavored vodka from The New Ukrainian Cookbook.
- A book of poetry set in Appalachia had Michael reaching for a favorite cookbook, Ronni Lundy's Victuals. This time, he chose the Chili Bun Chili recipe.
Michael Recommends:
- The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White
- Alice by Christina Henry
- Usher’s Passing by Robert R. McCammon
Carrie Recommends:
- Egg & Spoon by Gregory Maguire
- Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi
- The Beekeeper's Apprenticeby Laurie R. King
- Unmarriageableby Soniah Kamal
- Longbourn by Jo Baker
Adam Recommends:
- The Princess Saves Herself in This One by Amanda Lovelace
- Nubia: Real One by L.L. McKinney and Robyn Smith
- Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy by Rey Terciero and Bre Indigo
We're changing the Books and Bites format up a little bit with this episode and dividing this month's discussion into two separate episodes. Today we'll each give a detailed review of one book, and then in a couple weeks we'll air another episode with some brief recommendations from each of us.
Book Notes
- Carrie enjoyed The Mere Wife by Maria Dhavana Headley, a feminist retelling of Beowulf.
- Unless you're a fan of realistic fiction that focuses on social drama, Adam advises staying away from Anna K: A Love Story by Jenny Lee, an adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina.
- Michael recommends Victor LaValle’s Destroyer written by Victor LaValle and illustrated by Dietrich Smith. This graphic novel reimagines Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
Bite Notes
- An Aquafaba Whiskey Sour will help you ride out the ups and downs in The Mere Wife.
- For some sweet to go with his probably-too-sour review, Adam suggests indulging in a traditional Korean Valentine’s treat, pepero cake. For pepero cake and other Korean recipes, check out Korean Cooking Simplified by Lori Yun.
- Pair Victor Lavalle’s Destroyer with the pre-prohibition cocktail, Corpse Reviver, No.2.
Book Notes
Michael recommends:
- The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling
- Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey
- Redshirts by John Scalzi
- Salvation Day by Kali Wallace
Adam recommends:
- Wires and Nerve v. 1, written by Marissa Meyer; illustrated by Doug Holgate
- Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon by Takeuchi, Naoko; translated by William Flanagan
- Land of the Lustrousby Haruko Ichikawa; translated by Alethea Nibley
Carrie recommends:
- The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro
- The Ocean at the End of the Laneby Neil Gaiman
- The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
- The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Bite Notes
- Take comfort in a dish of Dutch oven-cooked pot roast while you read Caitlin Starling's anxiety-inducing The Luminous Dead. You can find the recipe in Matty Matheson's Matty Matheson: A Cookbook.
- Pair Wires and Nerve with Homemade Moon Pies. These are delicious cookies sandwiched with marshmallow crème and dipped in chocolate.
- If only the characters in The Buried Giant had a batch of Crispy Peanut Butter Treats with Chocolate Chips to fortify them on their quest! Find this recipe in Alicia Silverstone's cookbook The Kind Diet.
Book Notes
Carrie recommends:
- Still Life by Louise Penny
- Autumn by Ali Smith
- The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King
- 44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith
Michael recommends:
- Agents of Dreamland by Caitlin R. Kiernan
- Nevernight by Jay Kristoff
- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
- Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse
Adam recommends:
- Quincredible: Quest to Be the Best, written by Rodney Barnes and illustrated by Selina Espiritu
- The Novice by Taran Matharu
- A Blade So Black by LL McKinney
- The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
Bite Notes
- You could go all out and try the Roast Turkey and Chestnut Stuffing that the characters enjoy in Still Life. Or bake Dorie Greenspan's Lemon Meringue Cookie recipe. It's inspired by Inspector Gamache's love of that dessert.
- Pair Caitlin R. Kiernan’s Agents of Dreamland with a delicious, alien-fungus-free dish of pasta with whiskey, wine, and mushrooms.
- Enjoy the complex flavors of Dijon Apricot Chicken Salad when you read Quincredible. Find the recipe in The Everything Salad Book by Aysha Schurman.
Book Notes
Adam and Michael recommend:
- Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan
Michael also recommends:
- Matty Matheson: Home Style Cookery by Matty Matheson
- Victuals: An Appalachian Journey, With Recipes by Ronni Lundy
- The World Atlas of Coffee by James Hoffmann
Adam also recommends:
- The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O'Neill
- The Drunken Botanistby Amy Stewart
- With the Fire on Highby Elizabeth Acevedo
Carrie recommends:
- Eat Joy, edited by Natalie Eve Garrett
- An Everlasting Mealby Tamar Adler
- Be My Guest : Reflections on Food, Community, and the Meaning of Generosityby Priya Basil
- Jacques Pépin Quick + Simple : Simply Wonderful Meals with Surprisingly Little Effortby Jacques Pépin
- As Always, Julia : The Letters of Julia Child and Avis DeVoto : Food, Friendship, and the Making of a Masterpiece
- Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Childby Bob Spitz
Bite Notes
- Jim Gaffigan would approve of The Famous Original Genuinely Not Ray’s Sandwich Extravaganza, which is also the perfect sandwich to eat while driving.
- Another pairing for Jim Gaffigan’s Food is the L. A. Dirty Dog. The recipe can be found in Roy Choi’s L. A. Son.
- According to Claire Messud, one of the writers contributing to Eat Joy, Mrs. Hemmings's Chocolate Brownies have helped her "through exams, loneliness, even despair." They are just the thing for a cold pandemic night.
Book Notes
Adam recommends:
- Madam Belle: Sexy, Money, and Influence in a Southern Brothel by Maryjean Wall
- Birds of Opulence by Crystal Wilkinson
- The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman
- The Thing About Leftovers by CC Payne
- Echoes Between Us by Katie Mcgarry
Michael recommends:
- Whispers in the Dark by Laurel Hightower
- Hillbilly Hustle by Wesley Browne
- Battletown Witch: Leah Smock, the Evolution of Witchcraft, and the Last Witch Burning in America by Gerald D. Fischer
- Dark Highway: Love, Murder, and Revenge in 1930’s Kentucky by Ann Dangelo
Carrie recommends:
- For Black Girls Like Me by Mariama J. Lockington
- Come and Go, Molly Snow by Mary Ann Taylor-Hall
- The Once and Future Witchesby Alix E. Harrow
- So We Can Glow by Leesa Cross-Smith
- In the Shadow of the Valley by Bobi Conn
- At the Center of All Beauty: Solitude and the Creative Life by Fenton Johnson
Bite Notes
- Breeze through Madam Belle with a tart glass of sour cherry lemonade, made with sour cherries, lemon, simple syrup, and club soda. The recipe can be found in Classic Kentucky Meals by Rona Roberts.
- The spice and sweetness of Heaven Hill Distillery’s Larceny Bourbon pairs perfectly with Laurel Hightower’s Whispers in the Dark.
- You can easily make a pizza that's better than Domino's with the recipe for Quick Pizza Dough from the New York Times.
Book Notes
Carrie recommends:
- Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghostsby Kate Racculia
- Things in Jarsby Jess Kidd
- Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
- Belovedby Toni Morrison
Adam recommends:
- The Hellbound Heartby Clive Barker
- Taproot: A Story about a Gardener and a Ghost, written and illustrated by Keezy Young
- Justice League Dark Vol. 1: In the Dark by Peter Milligan
Michael recommends:
- The Siren and The Specter by Jonathan Janz
- The Shiningby Stephen King
- The Saturday Night Ghost Club by Craig Davidson
- Ghostland: An American History in Haunted Places by Colin Dickey
Bite Notes
- With its orange and black color-scheme and sweet and spicy flavors, the Halloween Stew from Liana Krissof's Vegetarian for a New Generation is the perfect accompaniment to Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts.
- Take a break from hunting the spirits of Alexander House and enjoy a glass of New Holland’s Pumpkin Ale.
- Accompany the tortuous need for fulfillment in The Hellbound Heart with a tall, cold glass of Troubled Leisure. Find the recipe in Cocktail Codex.
Book Notes
Michael recommends:
- Black Fire by Hernan Rodriguez
- Night Witches by Garth Ennis
Carrie recommends:
- Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
- The Queen of the Sea by Dylan Meconis
Adam recommends:
- Dreadful Ed & Mary Scary; written by Andrew Cosby and illustrated by Troy Nixey
- The Gashlycrumb Tinies by Edward Gorey
Bite Notes
- Transport yourself to the abandoned village in Black Fire with the traditional Ukrainian village dish of Potatoes with Pork and Shallots, a recipe found in Mamushka by Olia Hercules.
- Raise a glass of Black Currant Vodka to the Night Witches! The recipe can also be found in Mamushka by Olia Hercules.
- A churro’s sweet and crunchy fried dough would be the perfect thing to munch on while reading Nimona.
- Eat breakfast like a queen with a bowl of Instant Pot Oatmeal with Apples and Cinnamon. You won’t need a nunnery kitchen maid to prepare this porridge—just throw everything in the Instant Pot in the morning and let it do its thing while you’re getting ready.
- Pair Dreadful Ed and Mary Scary with anise biscotti. These twice-baked cookies combine anise and almond for a dark, nutty flavor that’s perfect for dunking in a cup of strong coffee. Find the recipe in Spiced from America’s Test Kitchen.
- Have a chill, adult storytime when you enjoy The Gashlycrumb Tinies with Vincent’s Ruin–a bittersweet cocktail featuring bourbon, a hint of absinthe, and St. Germain Elderflower liqueur. Find the recipe in Absinthe Cocktails: 50 Ways to Mix with the Green Fairy by Kate Simon and Lara Ferroni.
Book Notes
Adam recommends:
- Much Ado About Nothing, adapted by Richard Appignanesi and illustrated by Emma Vieceli.
- Wonderland, written and illustrated by Yugo Ishikawa
Michael recommends:
- The Auctioneer by Joan Sampson
- We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
Carrie recommends:
- The Street by Ann Petry
- So Big by Edna Ferber
Bite Notes
- Accompany the tart romance of Much Ado About Nothing with a fresh strawberry granita. This Italian iced dessert is made with fresh strawberries, sugar, ice, and the added options of lemon juice and balsamic vinegar. The recipe can be found on AllRecipes.com
- The tiny horror story Wonderland deserves equally tiny snacks! How bout mini homemade pop tarts? These pocket-sized pastries pack a fruitful flavor with just a few ingredients. Check out this recipe and other teeny tastes in Tiny Food Party: Bite-size Recipes for Miniature Meals by Teri Lyn Fisher & Jenny Park.
- Transport yourself to Harlowe, New Hampshire, with a dish of Mountain Green Beans & Taters, a recipe from Ronni Lundy’s Victuals.
- Pull up a chair to the Blackwood family dinner table and enjoy a delicious main dish of roasted spring lamb.
- Toast The Street with a glass of Black is Beautiful beer, a collaborative brewing effort that attempts "to bring awareness to the injustices that many people of color face daily."
- Pair So Big with the Raw Thai Citrus Crunch Salad from Anna Jones's A Modern Way to Eat. This salad will have even cabbage haters seeing its beauty.
Book Notes
Carrie recommends:
- The Book of Delights by Ross Gay
- Drinking Coffee Elsewhere by ZZ Packer
Adam recommends:
- The Dark Crystal: Creation Myths Vol. 1, written by Brian Holguin
- Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Sirens, written by Sarah Webb, Bartosz Sztybor, Aud Koch, and Chan Chau
Michael recommends:
- Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
- We Live Inside Your Eyes by Kealan Patrick Burke
Bite Notes
- If you'd like to try making your own kombucha to pair with The Book of Delights, we have several books that can help, including The Big Book of Kombucha: Brewing, Flavoring, and Enjoying the Health Benefits of Fermented Tea.
- Read stories about the origins of life on Thra, the birth of Aughra, and the arrival of complex lifeforms while savoring a frozen Kombucha Berry Pop. The recipe can be found in For the Love of Popsicles by Sarah Bond.
- In honor of Adjei-Brenyah's New York roots, pair his short story collection, Friday Black, with Brooklyn Brewery’s refreshing Stonewall Inn IPA.
- Like Dina in the title story of Drinking Coffee Elsewhere, you can transport yourself to another country with a strong cup of Turkish or Armenian coffee.
- Complement the varied flavors of regional folklore in Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Sirens with a bubbly, savory-sweet Cucumber Mint Cooler. The recipe can be found in Homemade Soda by Andrew Schloss.
- Take comfort in a bowl of Colcannon, a traditional Irish dish, after reading Burke’s terrifying We Live Inside Your Eyes.
Book Notes
Michael recommends:
- The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon
- IQ by Joe Ide
Carrie recommends:
- Blanche on the Lam by Barbara Neely
- This Lovely City by Louise Hare
Adam recommends:
- Shuri Vol. 1: The Search for the Black Panther by Nnedi Okorafor
- Archival Quality; written by Ivy Noelle Weir, illustrated by Steenz
Bite Notes
- Pair Bayley Hazen Blue, a delicious blue cheese, from Vermont's own Jasper Hill Farm with Jennifer McMahon’s The Winter People.
- Piece together the clues with Isaiah and Dodson over a bowl of New Orleans-style gumbo with a recipe found on tastesbetterfromscratch.com.
- Add a kick to plain old sweet tea with Lemongrass and Ginger Iced Tea. This spicy, fragrant blend of black tea, lemongrass, fresh ginger, and honey is a great match for the sophisticated and straight-talking narrator of Blanche on the Lam. The recipe appears in North Carolina chef Ashley English's book Quench.
- In This Lovely City, Lawrie and his friends serve a version of rum punch at their gatherings, and it sounds like the perfect fruity summer cocktail to sip while you're reading this book. You can find AtoZ World Food on the databases page of our website.
- “Storm” into some snacking with Mandazi, an airy doughnut flavored with coconut, cardamom, and cinnamon. You’re “Shuri” to love it! Find the recipe on AtoZ World Food, available on our databases page.
- Accompany Archival Quality's slow-brewing mystery with a jar of Sun Tea. All you need is a clear jar, purified water, tea, and the warm summer sun! Add fresh mint, lavender, or chamomile for extra flavor. Instructions can be found on AtoZ World Food, available on our databases page.
Book Notes
Carrie recommends:
- The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa; translated from the Japanese by Stephen Snyder
- Mirror, Shoulder, Signal by Dorthe Nors; translated from the Dutch by Misha Hoekstra
Adam recommends:
- Lone Wolf and Cub Vol. 1: The Assassin's Road by Kazuo Koike; illustrated by Goseki Kojima, Frank Miller
- Batman: The Jiro Kuwata Batmanga, Vol. 1 by Jiro Kuwata
Michael recommends:
- Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi ; translated from the Arabic by Jonathan Wright
- Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt ; translated from the Dutch by Nancy Forest-Flier.
Bite Notes
- Pair The Housekeeper and the Professor with a Japanese Hamburg Steak, or hambagu, a popular home-cooked, Western-style dish which, like the American hamburger and Salisbury steak, has its roots in Germany.
- Bake a Danish Dream Cake to enjoy with Mirror, Shoulder, Signal.
- As Hadi recounts his tale of the Whatitsname in Frankenstein in Baghdad, grill up a plate of Iraqi Kabobs with a recipe that can be found on yummly.com.
- Enjoy the Dutch roots of Black Spring, New York, by making Broodje Rookworst, a Dutch sausage and sauerkraut sandwich, from a recipe found on thespruceeats.com.
- Pair Batman's fusion of Western-Japanese culture with omelet rice, a popular breakfast for families in Japan. The recipe can be found in Japanese Cooking Made Simple, available on Hoopla.
- The pop culture-influencing read Lone Wolf and Cub goes well with Fluffy Cheesecake, a Japanese take on our favorite Golden Girls accompaniment. The recipe can be found in Japanese Cooking Made Simple, available on Hoopla.
Book Notes
Adam recommends:
- The Wild Book by Margarita Engle
- Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
Michael recommends:
- FantasticLand by Mike Bockoven
- Slash by Hunter Shea
Carrie recommends:
- History of the Rain by Niall Williams
- The Hearts of Horses by Molly Gloss
Bite Notes
- For The Wild Book's bubbly, colorful story, make Fizz and Fruit Popsicles from Raquel Rabade Roque’s The Cuban Kitchen Cuisine.
- Accompany the psychological turmoil of Long Way Down with “Eggs in Purgatory,” found in Questlove’s Mixtape Potluck Cookbook.
- After a harrowing day spent at FantasticLand, whip up a batch of Grilled Cheese Dogs.
- There's nothing better than coming home to a hot bowl of Cholent after surviving a frigid night of being hunted by the Wraith in the ruins of the Hayden Resort.
- Pair History of the Rain with The Good Shepherd's Pie, a vegan update of the classic Irish shepherd's pie that you can find in Jae Steele's cookbook Get it Ripe: A Fresh Take on Vegan Cooking and Living.
- Enjoy The Hearts of Horses with a meatless—or nearly meatless—soup made with whatever ingredients you have on hand. Tamar Adler's minestrone recipe offers lots of suggestions for seasonal substitutions. You can find it in her book An Everlasting Mealor on Saveur.com.
Book Notes
Melissa recommends:
- Novice Dragoneer by E.E. Knight
- Ahimsa by Supriya Kelkar
Adam recommends:
- The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O'Neill
- Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
Carrie recommends:
- Egg & Spoon by Gregory Maguire
- Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
Bite Notes
- Warm up like Ileth in Novice Dragoneer with the hearty Roasted Corn and Chorizo Chowder from The London Cookbook by Aleksandra Crapanzano.
- Make Badam Burfi, a quick sweet treat like Anjali's mom did to celebrate Diwali, using this recipe from Cook with Manali.
- Enjoy The Tea Dragon Society with a non-traditional approach to a London Fog—which is typically made with Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, vanilla, and sweetener. For our twist, swap the Earl Grey with your favorite tea dragon's variety.
- Bittersweet hot cocoa is the perfect sip for the dark, yet nuanced story of Three Dark Crowns.
- As Baba Yaga might say in Egg & Spoon, marinate yourself from the inside with this Vegetarian Red Borscht.
- Pair Other Words for Home with any of the delicious-sounding Syrian recipes in Feast: Food of the Islamic World. Or fry some cauliflower like Jude's mother.
Book Notes
Michael recommends:
- I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
- Bird Box by Josh Malerman
Melissa recommends:
- And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
- Can You Ever Forgive Me?: Memoirs of a Literary Forger by Lee Israel
Carrie recommends:
- Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- The Good Lord Bird by James McBride
Bite Notes
- Enjoy this recipe of Bourbon Lemonade from Bulleit Whiskey as you try to wrap your head around the mind-bending ending in I'm Thinking of Ending Things.
- Savor a Bell’s Two-Hearted Ale as you join Bird Box's Malorie in trying to survive the new world blindfolded.
- Enjoy Daisy Jones and the Six with your favorite burger—the messier, the better. Sidebar Grill in Lexington has great meat and vegetarian versions, homemade potato chips, and plenty of rock 'n roll vibes.
- Pair The Good Lord Bird with Peach-Glazed Pearl Onions from the cookbook Afro-Vegan by Bryant Terry.
Book Notes
Michael recommends:
- The North Water by Ian McGuire, winner of the Royal Society of Literature Encore Award (2017)
- The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock, winner of the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière (2012), the Thomas and Lillie D. Chaffin Award for Appalachian Writing (2012), and the Prix Mystère de la critique (2013)
Melissa recommends:
- Days Without End by Sebastian Barry, winner of the Costa Award for the Novel and Book of the Year (2017)
- Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds, winner of the Newbery Medal (2018), National Book Award Nominee for Young People’s Literature (2017), Odyssey Award Nominee (2018), Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Young Adult Literature (2017), Edgar Award for Best Young Adult (2018)
Carrie recommends:
- The Salt Path by Raynor Winn, winner of The Royal Society of Literature Christopher Bland Prize (2018)
- Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson, a New York Times Notable Book (2019) and a LibraryReads favorite (2019)
Bite Notes
- As you follow along with the trials and tribulations of the crew of the Volunteer, enjoy this cod dish from Emeril Lagasse’s Essential Emeril: Favorite Recipes and Hard-won Wisdom from My Life in the Kitchen.
- Travel to Appalachia with this recipe for slow cooked roasted pork shoulder from Ronni Lundy’s Victuals: An Appalachian Journey with Recipes.
- Pair Days Without End with a fine Irish whiskey, like Slane Whiskey, which is made in County Meath and available locally at Total Wine and Kroger.
- You may not be able to replicate the perfect, lightly salted blackberry that the Winns taste along the South West Coast Path, but you can bake Salted Dark Chocolate Vegan Blackberry Brownies.
- After reading Red at the Bone, feed your body and soul with the Vegetarian Red Beans and Rice from The Fresh & Healthy Instant Pot Cookbook.
To learn more about how to get started streaming videos, visit the eLibrary page of our website.
Book and Video Notes
Melissa recommends:
- Reel Injun, directed by Kino Lorber and available on Kanopy
- In Whose Honor?, New Day Films and available on Kanopy
- There, There by Tommy Orange
Carrie recommends:
- The Detectorists, written and directed by Mackenzie Crook and available on AcornTV, which you can check out through RBdigital
- Less by Andrew Sean Greer
- The Man at the Helm series of novels by Nina Stibbe
- Surfacing by Kathleen Jamie
Michael recommends:
- Hereditary, directed by Ari Aster and available on Kanopy
- A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay
Bite Notes
- Melissa and Carrie both look to the recent article in the New York Times, “Sean Sherman’s 10 Essential Native American Recipes,” for bites to pair with their books.
- This holiday season, try a Snowball cocktail, a classic winter warmer from the U.K.
- Pour yourself a glass of Campfire Whiskey, neat, while you ponder the shocking ending of Hereditary.
- Sit down with the Barrett family and enjoy a hot plate of baked spaghetti.
Book Notes
Carrie recommends:
- Black Klansman: Race, Hate, and the Undercover Investigation of a Lifetime by Ron Stallworth
- Don’t Call Us Dead by Danez Smith
Melissa recommends:
- Whiskey & Ribbons by Leesa Cross-Smith
Michael recommends:
- Savage Season by Joe R. Lansdale
- The Thicket by Joe R. Lansdale
Bite Notes
- Alton Brown’s Pickled Okra from Good Eats is a great recipe for preserving the harvest.
- Roasting okra and tomatoes reduces the slime factor of stewed okra and tomatoes. Find the recipe in Mississippi Vegan: Recipes and Stories from a Southern Boy’s Heart.
- Enjoy the Texas staple Cowboy Beans from The Homesick Texan’s Family Table: Lone Star Cooking from My Kitchen to Yours by Lisa Fain. Wash it down with an ice cold Dr. Pepper.
Book Notes
Michael recommends:
- Moonshine by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso
- Kill Creek by Scott Thomas
Melissa recommends:
- Good Talk by Mira Jacob (link to our catalog coming soon!)
- The Grace Year by Kim Liggett
Carrie recommends:
- Paper Girls by Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang
- Mrs. Caliban by Rachel Ingalls
Bite Notes
- Enjoy a cocktail of Werewolf’s Blood as you try to survive the mob and werewolf war and make it out of the West Virginia mountains alive.
- Sip a cold pint of Shlafly’s Pumpkin Ale as you join Sam McGarver and try to escape the horrors of the Kill Creek house before it’s too late.
- Enjoy Mrs. Caliban with Avocado and Lemon Zest Spaghetti from Anna Jones’s A Modern Way to Eat. Since most of the ingredients are pantry staples, it’s the perfect meal to whip up when a frogman drops in unexpectedly.
- Pair Good Talk with south Indian rice pudding, Paal Payasam or the Syrian Christian version made with rice flakes, Palada Payasam.
- The Grace Year would go well with the Early Autumn Apples on Hot Toast recipe found in Nigel Slater’s cookbook Ripe.
Book Notes
Carrie reads:
- Get in Trouble by Kelly Link
- My Ántonia by Willa Cather
Michael reads:
- 20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill
- The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle
Melissa reads:
- Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl by Carrie Brownstein
- The Eyre Affairby Jasper Fforde
Bite Notes
- Pair Get in Trouble with a slice of Florida Key Lime Pie, available on our website. You can tell from the state of the copy pictured that it's a favorite recipe in Carrie's family. For a less sweet pie, use 3/4 cup of sugar instead of a full cup. Carrie recommends Nellie & Joe's key lime juice, which you can usually find at Kroger. The pie is also great when served frozen.
- The kolaches mentioned in My Ántonia are still enjoyed in areas of the United States where Czech immigrants settled. Read more about the history of this Czech pastry and find a recipe on toriavey.com.
- Try the recipe from the website Caroline's Cooking for the Trinidadian snack Pineapple Chow. It's just like the dish Tommy Tester enjoyed at the Victoria Society.
- Enjoy this easy recipe for the New England staple the Fluffernutter sandwich as you relish each story in 20th Century Ghosts by New England’s very own Joe Hill.
- Try the Jabberwock cocktail from the Savoy Cocktail Book in honor of the Vorpal's Special that Tuesday Next orders in The Eyre Affair.
Books & Bites Podcast, Episode 30
Each month, JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. We’re gearing up for back-to-school in this episode, with books set in school or books we should have read in school.
Book Notes
Melissa recommends:
- Dear America : Notes of an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Antonio Vargas
- The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
- The Fire This Time edited by Jesmyn Ward
Carrie recommends:
- The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
- Citrus County by John Brandon
- Old in Art School by Nell Painter
Michael recommends:
- The Bone Weaver’s Orchard by Sarah Read
- My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix
Bite Notes
- Try out Panlasang Pinoy’s Filipino Chicken Adobo to taste the food Jose Antonio Vargas grew up with in the Philippines.
- Learn more about French wine in Windows on the World Complete Wine Course by Kevin Zraly and then go find one to try as you savor the words of James Baldwin and the authors that responded to him in The Fire This Time.
- Since kale is a staple in Scottish kitchens, try the Warm Salad of Roasted Kale, Coconut, and Tomatoes from Anna Jones’s cookbook, A Modern Way to Eat.
- West Sixth Brewery’s Valencia Berliner Weisse is a beverage with bite to match Citrus County‘s hard-boiled feel.
- Enjoy a chilled Cidergeist Semi-Dry Cider as you try to piece the mystery of the old abbey with Charley and Sam.
- If you want to transport yourself back to the late 80’s, try the Pioneer Woman’s recipe for Sloppy Joes and pair it with an ice-cold Diet Coke with a slice of lemon.
JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. This month, Carrie and Melissa welcome Michael to talk about good books for summer reading--whether you're outside by the pool or staying cool inside.
JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. In this episode, we talk about the Wayfarer series by Becky Chambers and other books that relate to this year's summer learning theme, A Universe of Stories.
JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. In this episode, we discuss books that take you to another place, including "Our Homesick Songs," "With the Fire on High," "News of the World," and more.
JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. On this episode, we discuss "The Library Book" by Susan Orlean and what to read next.
JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. In honor of National Women's History Month, we discuss books with strong girl characters, including "Louisiana's Way Home," "Aru Shah and the End of Time," "Ms. Marvel," "Goldie Vance," and more.
JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. On this episode, we discuss short reads like "Heads of the Colored People," "Our Souls at Night," "Sea Prayer," and "Convenience Store Woman."
JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. On this episode we discuss, "Bellweather Rhapsody," "The Trials of Morrigan Crow," "Cold Comfort Farm," "I Am, I Am, I Am," and more.
JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. It's a family affair on this episode, with a discussion of the novels "Pachinko," "Caramelo," "Little Fires Everywhere," "The Middlesteins," and more.
JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. On this episode, we discuss learning about history through cookbooks, poetry, graphic novels, and unconventional biographies.
JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. On this episode, we discuss spies, lies, online surveillance, and more.
JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. On this episode, we discuss Madeline Miller’s novel "Circe," other adaptations of Greek myths, and more.
This episode is dedicated to audiobooks and the road trip snacks to go with them. We discuss "A Man Called Ove," "Bossypants," "Barracoon," "All Systems Red," and more!
JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. On this episode, we talk about creativity and creative types, including the books "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert, "Hyperbole and a Half" by Allie Brosh, "Petty: The Biography" by Warren Zanes, and more!
JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. On this episode, we talk to author Kayla Rae Whitaker about her book, "The Animators," creativity, and the many varieties of pie, including oatmeal cream and Frito.
JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. In keeping with the spirit of spring, this month we consider our favorite recent debuts, including "The Philosopher's Flight," "What You Are Getting Wrong About Appalachia," "Blood Water Paint," and "The Virginia State Colony for Epileptics and Feebleminded."
JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. In honor of Women's History Month, this episode features strong female characters, including a 14 year old seeking revenge for her father's death, a librarian spy, and more.
JCPL librarians discuss Jesmyn Ward's novel "Sing, Unburied, Sing," and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with it. We also recommend what to read next.
Each month, we bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. Our twelfth episode focuses on reading goals and challenges, and we talk about the books Exit West, Here, Sabriel, Braiding Sweetgrass, and The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet.
Each month, librarians Carrie Green and Eden Grey bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. In our eleventh episode, we talk about some of our favorites, including books by Kevin Young, Alice Munro, Matsuo Basho, Pierce Brown, Tahrereh Mafi, Patricia A. McKillip, and more!
JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. In our tenth episode, we talk about great fall reads, including:
"Lincoln in the Bardo" by George Saunders "Stalking Jack the Ripper" by Kerri Maniscalco "Autumn" by Ali Smith "Not a Drop to Drink" by Mindy McGinnis "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie "Wink Poppy Midnight" by April Genevieve Tucholke "Jane Austen at Home" by Lucy Worsley And more!
We’re gearing up for Comic Surge with a discussion of graphic novels, comics, and manga for everyone from hardcore fans to novices, including:
"Embroideries" by Marjane Satrapi "Erased" by Kei Sanbe "The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl" by Ryan North, Erica Henderson et al "March" by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin; art by Nate Powell And more!
Each month, librarians Carrie Green and Eden Grey bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. On our 8th episode, we discuss our favorite summer reads.
We discuss: "Beautiful Ruins" by Jess Walter "Today Will Be Different" by Maria Semple "The Animators" by Kayla Rae Whitaker "The Wangs vs. the World" by Jade Chang "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon "The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue" by Mackenzi Lee "Mosquitoland" by David Arnold
Each month, librarians Carrie Green and Eden Grey bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. The theme of our seventh episode is Build a Better World.
We discuss:
"Utopia Drive: A Road Trip through America's Most Radical Idea" by Erik Reece
"Classic Kentucky Meals: Stories, Ingredients, & Recipes from the Traditional Bluegrass Kitchen" by Rona Roberts
"Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World" by Tracy Kidder
"I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World" by Malala Yousafzai
"City of Saints & Thieves" by Natalie C. Anderson
"The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas
Plus, Shaker Lemon Pie!
JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. The theme of our sixth episode is sports and exercise.
We discuss "Every Body Yoga: Let Go of Fear, Get on the Mat, Love Your Body" by Jessamyn Stanley, "Booked" and "The Playbook" by Kwame Alexander, "The Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown, and more.
JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. In our fifth episode, we talk about poetry and environmental writing. Children's Librarian Juliana Gaddis joins us with some of her favorite selections, and Reference Librarian Melissa Coulston introduces our new book club.
In our fourth episode, we talk about books inspired by fairy tales and mythology. We also talk to our Adult Programming Librarian Les Lehman about Saint Patrick.
JCPL librarians discuss their favorite diverse books and the bites and beverages to pair with them.
Each month, librarians from the Jessamine County Public Library bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. In this episode, we talk about our favorite books from 2016.
Each month, librarians from the Jessamine County Public Library bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them. In this episode, we talk about books that make great gifts.