Literature & Libations

Apr 08 2025 120 ep. 64 mins 48
Literature & Libations Podcast artwork

Join two sisters, one book nerd and one novel novice, as they review their latest read every other week while sipping a themed cocktail. 

  Arts  Comedy  Leisure
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83. Perma Red by Debra Magpie Earling

Apr 08 2025 87 mins  
In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Debra Magpie Earling’s 2002 novel Perma Red. Topics include Martini Time, Charlie, Baptiste, and Louise and their complicated and entwined experiences, Awful White Men, shame, generational trauma, and the hope at the end of it all. Plus, Taylor talks about her experience Marie Kondo-ing her books. This week’s drink: Dirty Marti

82. James by Percival Everett

Mar 25 2025 87 mins  
In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Percival Everett’s award-winning 2024 novel James. Topics include the never ending surprise of the atrocities human beings commit, slave language, dream visits from “enlightened” philosophers, the freedom inherent in reading and writing, the return of the King and the Duke (ugh), Huck is whose son?!, James’s revenge, and th

81. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Mar 11 2025 91 mins  
In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Mark Twain’s 1885 children’s (?) novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Topics include the confusing geography of the south/midwest, Huck’s moral quandary and gradual shift of worldview, a peek at initial reactions of this book, the iconic energy of Aunt Sally, and a deep dragging of Tom Sawyer. Plus, Kayla gets on her lib

80. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Feb 25 2025 88 mins  
In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Daphne Du Maurier’s 1938 novel Rebecca. Topics include important plant updates, Kayla’s frustrating pre-pod antics, Flow, the transatlantic accent, the writing prowess of Daphne du Maurier, murder, unhinged Mrs. Danvers, the unbelievable tension in many scenes, the looming figure of Rebecca (who we don’t actually hate!), the

79. The Book of Love by Kelly Link

Feb 11 2025 74 mins  
In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Kelly Link’s 2024 novel The Book of Love. Topics include absinthe, the unique structure of this book, the “unlikeablility” of these magical teenagers, breaking down the ending, all the different types of love, and Hilary Duff. Plus, a brief word on Neil Gaiman. This week’s drink: Necromancer via liquor.com INGREDIENTS: 3/4

78. Euphoria by Lily King

Jan 28 2025 81 mins  
In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Lily King’s 2014 novel Euphoria. Topics include MySpace pictures, the ease of reading Lily King, evil Fen, poor Bankson, and Nell. Oh Nell. Plus, Taylor’s hot take on the Australian accent, and Kayla’s book snobbery. This week’s drink: Liquid Euphoria va BarGPT INGREDIENTS: 2 oz gin1 oz elderflower liqueur1 oz fresh lemon j

77. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

Jan 14 2025 89 mins  
In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Ursula K. Le Guin’s 1969 sci-fi classic The Left Hand of Darkness. Topics include the new look of L&L, Nosferatu, the interesting ideas about sex and gender Ursula presents, the relationship between Genly and Estraven, the masculine urge for war and violence, the need for light and darkness, and our complete inability to trav

76. 2024 Wrap Up!

Dec 31 2024 62 mins  
In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor wrap up their 2024 reading with their favorite pod and non-pod reads, plus other things that they enjoyed throughout the year. Thanks for reading and drinking with us! See you in 2025! This week’s drink: White Christmas Mimosa via @yellowbellykelly INGREDIENTS: ChampagneWhite cranberry juiceEdible glitterCranberries and rosemary for garn

75. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Dec 24 2024 53 mins  
In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Charles Dickens’s 1843 novel A Christmas Carol. Topics include Bob’s Burgers, the importance of vitamin C, a Dog Day Afternoon tangent, excellent food descriptions, the issue of Tiny Tim, the joy of gift giving, AI search results for “grool”, the sassiness of Christmas Present, and the hope of it all. This week’s drink: C

74. There There by Tommy Orange

Dec 10 2024 77 mins  
In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Tommy Orange’s 2018 novel There There. Topics include nostalgia for the Bay Area, the genius of the shifting narrative perspectives, the “there there” of it all, generational trauma, the lack of education about Native Americans, powwow experiences, and the final tragic scene. This week’s drink: Hot Toddy via Love & Lemo