99. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Gabrielle Zevin’s 2014 novel The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. Topics include a seemingly lackluster movie adaptation that we definitely will end up watching, the Hallmark movie premise that’s very well written, our desire to monologue in real life, reading short stories, literary fiction vs. genre fiction, chicken pox and shingles, what spices we would be, the elegance of picture books, the triumphs and perils of middle school/high school English classes (shout out to Mr. Solorio, the GOAT), the perfect amount of sentimentality in this book, and the dream of owning a bookstore.
This week’s drink: Hot Buttered Rum via Friday Night Cocktails
INGREDIENTS:
2 oz gold rum
1 TB buttered rum batter*
Boiling water, to top
Cinnamon stick, for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a mug, add the rum and batter. Fill with boiling water and stir until the batter is dissolved. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
*For the buttered rum batter: In a large bowl, combine ⅔ cup dark brown sugar, ½ cup unsalted butter (at room temp), ¼ cup honey, ½ tsp ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp ground nutmeg, ⅛ tsp ground cloves, and a pinch of salt. Beat until smooth. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge (or freezer).
Current/recommended reads, links, etc.:
Pathogenesis: A History of the World in Eight Plagues by Jonathan Kennedy
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
The Art of Gluten-Free Bread by Aran Goyoaga
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Purchase books via bookshop.org or check them out from your local public library.
Join us next time as we read If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio.
