Read This, Drink That

by Laura Brennan

When it comes to drinking, I like to follow the rules. Well, I like to follow my rules: beer with friends and taco dip, wine on a date with cheese and crackers, frozen fruity drinks on vacation. I firmly believe, when used appropriately, beverages (and food) heighten the tone of whatever it is you are doing, so here’s a list pairing great reads with great drinks.

There are a few ways you can enjoy these combos: reading and drinking alone is completely acceptable, as is hosting a book group and serving alcohol, in order to get the conversation flowing. Option three is to bring your book to a bar in the afternoon and order up the complimenting beverage.

Orphan Train, Christina Baker Kline

Between 1854 and 1929, trains carried orphans from the East to farms in the Midwest. The futures of the passengers of these “Orphan Trains” would be decided by luck — would they be adopted, or stuck in life as a servant? Molly, who is almost 18, is on the brink of being kicked out of her foster home, and will soon age out of the child welfare system. Her last chance to start over is with a community service project, helping Vivian, an elderly woman, clean out her Maine mansion. Vivian, now 91, is from an Irish immigrant family, and was orphaned in New York. She became one of the hundreds of children sent west on a train. Molly and Vivian become closer while cleaning, organizing Vivian’s things, and uncovering memories from the past. There are a lot of similarities between Molly and Vivian’s lives — raised by people other than their parents, they both long to uncover information about the past — and can help each other do so as emotional barriers are broken down. The narrative is character driven, switching between Molly and Vivian in the present and Vivian’s past — the 20s, 30s, and 40s. Both characters are well depicted and the reader will have clear visions of who they are. I found Vivian’s history more compelling than Molly’s story — but they fit well and come to a satisfying conclusion. Despite the historical harshness of the topic, this is a quick, easy read.

Pair it with:
Bee’s Knees
2 ounces gin
3/4 ounce honey
1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
Shake with ice and sip from chilled glass.

This was popular in the 1920’s during prohibition and used bathtub gin. The drink is sweet and tangy (much like our main characters), and supposedly, the honey hid the smell of the gin — and Orphan Train is very much about uncovering the hidden.

Dark Places, by Gillian Flynn

Twenty-five years ago, Libby Day was only seven years old when her mother and sisters were brutally murdered in their Kansas home. Due to Libby’s testimony, her fifteen year old brother was convicted of the murders and sentenced for life. Since then, Libby has lived within the trauma of her past, with no friends or family. She is admittedly selfish and a liar. Her adult life has been paid for by the gracious donations and funds from those who pity her. But she is not one to really be pitied. Running out of money and becoming desperate, Libby connects with The Kill Club — a group obsessed with details of murders. As she searches for family memorabilia to sell to The Club, she finds herself questioning what happened all those years ago… and finds herself running from trouble. The story is told in the present and the past, through the distinct voices of various family members. I won’t sugar-coat — some of this is extremely brutal to get through — but you won’t be able to look away. Everyone had something they were hiding the day of the tragedy. You won’t know who to trust, and you’ll be frickin’ scared. Flynn is a master at complex characters and horrifying twists.

Pair it with:
Demon Coffee
1/2 shot Coffee Liquor (Kahlua)
1/2 shot Red Vodka

Pour Kahlua into a chilled shot glass. Layer the Red Vodka on top by slowly pouring it into the glass over a chilled spoon. Sip or shoot this one. Maybe have two. This book is intense and amazing, and this drink is too. Neither are for the faint of heart. (You can also switch up the Coffee Liquor for a Pumpkin Creme Liquor.)

Option #2 is to drink pink lemonade and sit in a well-lit area. Choose this option if you need to counteract the tone of this nightmarish novel.

Night Terrors — Sex, Dating, Puberty, and Other Alarming Things, by Ashley Cardiff

Now, let’s take it down a notch before none of us ever sleep again. Ashley Cardiff has written a hilarious series of personal essays in her first book. Nothing is held back as we dive into her cringeworthy experiences with porn, pubes, sex, first love, dating, and, you know, teenage orgies. The snarky, sarcastic voice works well with these uncomfortable stories about growing up. From her awkward, introverted self (as a teen) to her awkward, introverted self, albeit slightly bolder, as an adult, navigating adult relationships. I put this up there with essays by Chelsea Handler, Sloane Crosley, Laurie Notaro, and Cynthia Kaplan.

Pair It With:
Between the Sheets
1 oz Cognac
1 oz Triple sec
1 oz Light rum
 .25 oz Fresh lemon juice
Shake it all up in a shaker with ice and pour in your favorite cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange slice, if you have the gusto to actually just cut one slice out of an orange and try to get it to stay balanced on the rim of your glass. This drink is a bit complex, fun, and girly. Plus, it’s worth making/ordering just because of the name. Perfect match for Night Terrors.

Laura Brennan is a librarian and writer living in MA. She contributes regularly to TheShoppingMama.com and Bustle.com. Find her on Twitter: @missizb31