Literature & Libations

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

  1. 14 MAY

    112. Goodbye Without Leaving by Laurie Colwin

    In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Laurie Colwin’s 1990 novel Goodbye Without Leaving. Topics include Laurie Colwin’s style, Geri’s compassion for black music and awareness of black/white relationships in her current time, domestic apprehension, Geri’s quest for identity and belonging, and European immigrants and American identity. Plus, we sing the praises of the Combo Caddy. This week’s drink: the Geri (a Taylor Made creation) INGREDIENTS  1 ½ oz bourbon¾ oz Applejack2 tsp maple syrup1 TB lemon juiceDashes of Angostura and cardamom bittersINSTRUCTIONS: Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice and shake until chilledStrain into a glass with a single large ice cube or sphere Current/recommended reads, links, etc.: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller The Everlasting by Alix E. Harlow All Her Fault (TV show) 20 Feet from Stardom (documentary) Follow us on Instagram @literatureandlibationspod. You can email us at literatureandlibationspod@gmail.com. Please leave us a review and/or rating! It really helps others find our podcast…and it makes us happy! Purchase books via bookshop.org or check them out from your local public library.  Join us next time as we read Sisters in Yellow by Meiko Kawakami

    1hr 22min

  2. 28 APR

    111. The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

    In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Ariel Lawhon’s 2023 novel The Frozen River. Topics include the latest hot goss on Disney/Marvel vs Dune 3, cover gripes, the real Martha Ballard and the “mom-ness” of the book, the continuing injustice for women, Taylor’s soapbox on women and medicine, the return of Puritanical hypocrisy, and the inclusion of Doctor and Native medicine. Plus, Taylor finally watched Sinners!!  This week’s drink: Safety Meeting by Stowe Cider INGREDIENTS  One (1) can Safety Meeting cider, ice coldINSTRUCTIONS: Crack open the can and pour into a chilled glass Current/recommended reads, links, etc.: A Midwife's Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812 by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich The Once and Future Sex: Going Medieval on Women's Roles in Society by Eleanor Janega  Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel Follow us on Instagram @literatureandlibationspod. You can email us at literatureandlibationspod@gmail.com. Please leave us a review and/or rating! It really helps others find our podcast…and it makes us happy! Purchase books via bookshop.org or check them out from your local public library.  Join us next time as we read Goodbye Without Leaving by Laurie Colwin

    1hr 31min

  3. 14 APR

    110. The White Octopus Hotel by Alexandra Bell

    In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Alexandra Bell’s 2025 novel The White Octopus Hotel. Topics include plane books (and plane experiences in general), some gripes about the novel, art deco, and the intricacies of time travel. Plus, we check in about the Remarkably Bright Creatures movie, and talk about Spider-Man. This week’s drink: Death in the Afternoon via liquor.com INGREDIENTS  1 ½ oz absinthe4 to 4 ½ oz chilled champagne For a less potent cocktail, you can swap the champagne with tonic water and/or decrease the amount of absintheINSTRUCTIONS: Pour absinthe into a coupe glassTop slowly with the champagne  Current/recommended reads, links, etc.: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern A Marriage at Sea: A True Story of Love, Obsession, and Shipwreck by Sophie Elmhirst Brothers on Three: A True Story of Family, Resistance, and Hope on a Reservation in Montana by Abe Streep Follow us on Instagram @literatureandlibationspod. You can email us at literatureandlibationspod@gmail.com. Please leave us a review and/or rating! It really helps others find our podcast…and it makes us happy! Purchase books via bookshop.org or check them out from your local public library.  Join us next time as we read The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

    1hr 5min

  4. 31 MAR

    109. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

    In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1850 novel The Scarlet Letter. Topics include delicious recipes, listening to the “modern reader” edition, was Nathaniel Hawthorne a woman in disguise?, Hawthorne’s hilarious disdain for Puritans, Arthur Dimmesdale (owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome) and his struggles, Pearl and her uncanny understanding of the world, and the only way this story could end. Plus, we talk Oscars. This week’s drink: The Scarlet Letter via Charbay Distillery INGREDIENTS  1 ½ oz Charbay Pomegranate Vodka (or any pomegranate vodka) ½ oz Cointreau ¾ oz Red Wine Gastrique ½ oz Lemon Juice 3 dashes Scrappy's Cardamon Bitters Long Meadow Ranch Merlot Sea Salt (for rim) 1 Sprig ThymeINSTRUCTIONS: Add all ingredients into a shaker and add ice.Shake well and double strain into a cocktail glass, rimmed with the Merlot sea salt.Garnish with the sprig of thyme.To make the Red Wine Gastrique: Reduce by 1/3 a medium to heavy-bodied red wine. While still hot, stir in equal amounts of fine white sugar until dissolved. Add same amount of sherry wine vinegar so that the solution is 1:1:1 and mix. Let cool and keep in fridge. Current/recommended reads, links, etc.: The Saffron Tales: Recipes from the Persian Kitchen by Yasmin Khan Follow us on Instagram @literatureandlibationspod. You can email us at literatureandlibationspod@gmail.com. Please leave us a review and/or rating! It really helps others find our podcast…and it makes us happy! Purchase books via bookshop.org or check them out from your local public library.  Join us next time as we read The White Octopus Hotel by Alexandra Bell

    1hr 15min

  5. 17 MAR

    108. The Hours by Michael Cunningham

    In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Michael Cunningham’s 1998 novel The Hours. Topics include smoking while pregnant (no good very bad don’t do it), the two Clarissas, the haunted Laura Brown, and the tragedy of Virginia Woolf. This week’s drink: The Clarissa (a Taylor original) INGREDIENTS  1 oz gin¾ oz Lillet Blanc1 oz dry vermouth½ oz orange juicePinch of turmeric INSTRUCTIONS: Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice. Pour into any glass with one giant ice cube or sphereTop with sparkling water or tonic water and garnish with an orange peel Current/recommended reads, links, etc.: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir Follow us on Instagram @literatureandlibationspod. You can email us at literatureandlibationspod@gmail.com. Please leave us a review and/or rating! It really helps others find our podcast…and it makes us happy! Purchase books via bookshop.org or check them out from your local public library.  Join us next time as we read The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

    1hr 12min

  6. 3 MAR

    107. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

    In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Virginia Woolf’s 1925 novel Mrs. Dalloway. Topics include the best way to read this book, horn rimmed glasses and the people who wear them, and deep dives into the main characters. Plus, we talk about the shows we are currently watching (Heated Rivalry, The Pitt, and Derry Girls). This week’s drink: the Virginia Woolf via Buzzworthy INGREDIENTS  2 shots oaked amber rum¾ shot peach syrup¾ shot fresh lemon juiceMint to garnishINSTRUCTIONS: Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice and shake vigorouslyStrain through a fine strainer into a Nick and Nora glassGently press mint with fingers to release oils, and garnish Current/recommended reads, links, etc.: HEATED RIVALRY!!! Follow us on Instagram @literatureandlibationspod. You can email us at literatureandlibationspod@gmail.com. Please leave us a review and/or rating! It really helps others find our podcast…and it makes us happy! Purchase books via bookshop.org or check them out from your local public library.  Join us next time as we read The Hours by Michael Cunningham

    1hr 24min

  7. 24 FEB

    106. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle

    In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Madeline L’Engle’s 1962 classic A Wrinkle in Time Topics include Disney Channel classic Johnny Tsunami, the idiocy of teenage boys, there’s Jesus in my science!, the clunkiness of the plot, how the series continues, realizing your parents don’t have all the answers, Meg as a great example for young girls, and the power of love. Plus, we go on a slight tangent about the state of Disney animated movies today. This week’s drink: Maple Orange Spritz via Thirsty Tales INGREDIENTS  2 fresh oranges, juiced 2 tablespoons of maple syrup½ cup of sparkling waterIce cubes for servingOrange slices for garnishINSTRUCTIONS: Juice the orangesStir the juice and maple syrup in a glassAdd the ice cubes and sparkling water, stirring gentlyGarnish with orange slices and serve immediately Current/recommended reads, links, etc.: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer  Follow us on Instagram @literatureandlibationspod. You can email us at literatureandlibationspod@gmail.com. Please leave us a review and/or rating! It really helps others find our podcast…and it makes us happy! Purchase books via bookshop.org or check them out from your local public library.  Join us next time as we read Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

    1hr 13min

  8. 3 FEB

    105. Remain by Nicholas Sparks with M. Night Shyamalan

    In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan’s 2025 “supernatural love story” Remain. Topics include the unfortunate name Tate (Tateifer?), Cape Cod vibes, ghost sex, not your typical love story ending, and our low threshold for hauntings. Plus, Kayla shares some exciting news! This week’s drink: Cape Codder via liquor.com INGREDIENTS  1 1/2 ounces vodkaCranberry juice, chilled, to topGarnish: lime wedgeINSTRUCTIONS: Add the vodka into a highball glass over ice.Top with cranberry juice and stir briefly to combine.Squeeze a lime wedge over the glass and drop it into the drink. Current/recommended reads, links, etc.: Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson Follow us on Instagram @literatureandlibationspod. You can email us at literatureandlibationspod@gmail.com. Please leave us a review and/or rating! It really helps others find our podcast…and it makes us happy! Purchase books via bookshop.org or check them out from your local public library.  Join us next time as we read A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle

    1hr 4min
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About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Taylor Made
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    149
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Literature & Libations
  • Show Website
    Literature & Libations

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