Java Sips & Biscotti

Charlie R. Mendel and Majd Moubarak
  • 5.0 (3)
  • BOOKS

Join Charlie R. Mendel for a heartfelt blend of stories and coffee. Each episode feels like a quiet moment shared with a friend, where the warmth of a fresh brew meets tender tales and gentle reflection. Charlie reads favorite short stories, listener picks, and guest works that celebrate creativity, connection, and the beauty of everyday life. Pour a cup, slow down, and let each story touch your heart. Share your stories, personal reflections/ life accounts or book recommendations at javasipsandbiscotti@gmail.com.

Episodes

  1. 02/18/2023

    The Second Bakery Attack- Haruki Murakami

    Welcome back to Java Sips and Biscotti, listeners! We hope you are enjoying the content and the evolution of this podcast. Join Charlie for another short story by the talented Haruki Murakami in "The Second Bakery Attack." A man and his wife arise from mid sleep rife with hunger pangs, after mulling around in their empty kitchen and a forgotten tale later, the two take off in search of drastic measures to satiate themselves. Charlie starts off with a few announcements about the podcast and then opens the episode with a journal entry that she feels resonates with the drastic corners our minds will wander to suffice our afflictions Only a journal entry is hardly drastic, but to be open and true with oneself can be, on occasion, drastic. Join Charlie this week as she continues to read favorite stories from her past, as she keeps moving forward to navigate her coming future.

    38 min

  2. 02/18/2023

    On Seeing The 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful April Morning -Haruki Murakami

    Hey listeners! Welcome back. Join Charlie for another short story from Haruki Murakami. This week, we listen to a man's reaction upon seeing the 100% perfect girl for him, how he knows, and should he tell her? Find out how the short story unfolds while you are taken on a literary ride of satire, romance, and melancholy. Let Charlie know what you think of the story at javasipsandbiscotti@gmail.com, or send in suggestions for reading materials or topic coverages.  If you liked this short story: In this podcast, Charlie recommends a short novella by Richard Brautigan called "Sombrero Fallout: A Japanese Novel." She compares the writing style of this narrative by Murakami, similar to the writing styles of Sir Brautigan, who is known for his humor and honest satire of social interactions. Fun (Err) Fact: Charlie was gifted "Sombrero Fallout: A Japanese Novel" after leaving a tumultuous and abusive relationship by her ex-lover. They shared a deep love for literature. When the book arrived in the mail, Charlie took it as the white flag she'd been waiting for after the battle was over. The protagonist of the story resembled the man Charlie dated, and just like the man Charlie dated, he struggles to cope with losing his lover to his poor behaviors. Charlie was brought to tears many times reading throughout the small book, but it wouldn't have been her ex-lover if he didn't make her cry at least one last time.

    17 min

  3. 10/31/2022

    Happy Halloween Episode Special!

    Happy Halloween, everyone! Welcome back to Java Sips and Biscotti, and Charlie is back with a special episode for your spooky listening pleasures! Join us as Charlie reads an excerpt from the famous novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. After that, we have a new segment to begin on Java Sips and Biscotti called "Listener Emails", Charlie collected a few story from a couple submitters, in honor of the Halloween spirit, have provided us with their own uniquely written tales that will surely make your skin tingly, your mind a little panicked or maybe just make you feel something in that half-way reanimated corpse on this FINE Monday, Halloween day. If you are interested in submitting your stories/emails send them to javasipsandbiscotti@gmail.com, we are accepting works of fiction, non-fiction, close calls/encounters, happy/sad stories; send us your weird or just shout your love for something or someone. We will sift through and tailor episodes to showcase the "Listener Emails" we receive. If you would like to support this podcast, you can: Donate on Venmo @charlie-r-m Join a membership on Patreon at patreon.com/javasips You donate on Anchor directly under 'listener support' and the best way to support us, that is completely free to you, like subscribe, rate, review, and share! Follow us on IG @java_sips_and_biscotti

    37 min

  4. 01/17/2022

    Explicit, Trigger Warning, Mature Audience: Junkie at a Wedding and Other Tellings - Alyssa P. ft. an Intro to Chatterbox Podcast

    Welcome back, listeners! Charlie has a great episode for you featuring a guest reader! Welcome Alyssa to the mic. She reads a story she wrote for class about her struggles with heroine addiction and how that affected those she loves the most. The format of this episode is a little different with a few sidebar conversations between Charlie and Alyssa; the second reading is more of an elaboration on a essay that she wrote about her experience with heroine through the eyes of her family. Our JSAB episode comes with trigger warnings about addictions, the harsh reality of detox, and relapse. The hosts utilize strong, unfiltered language and descriptions. This is for the open-minded and open hearted, and especially for those struggling with an addiction who need to know you are not alone, there are people who love you, and there is help.  Please reach out to javasipsandbiscotti@gmail.com if you are someone who is struggling with addiction or anything, and we will try to help you find reliable and helpful resources to get you where YOU want to be  Listener's if you would like to support JSAB: Check out listener support on Anchor Venmo: @MTM87 Or simply like, share, subscribe, and review to help get us exposure and sponsorships!

    58 min

  5. 02/23/2021

    The Seussening! Two Stories by Dr. Seuss

    Welcome back, listeners! I hope you are ready for a kid friendly episode, The Seussening! Charlie will be reading two books of Dr. Seuss's for a very special family, near and dear to Charlie, The Romero's. The episode is dedicated to the two children of this family, Caspar and Lucia, one of the most adorable brother-sister duo! We'll be reading on the air, "There's a Wocket in My Pocket." Our edition of this book is the abridged version. We recommend that if you like the story to find the full version, it's about 36 pages long. The other Dr. Seuss story we will be reading is "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" and this gem is for all, young and old, a good reminder that "Life's a Great Balancing Act" and as we reach a year of quarantine and preventative measures against COVID-19, it's good to remember to be kind to yourself, show compassion to others, and understand what you are feeling is environmental and not a reflection of yourself in any negative light. Keep wearing your masks, keep washing your hands, and remember we are alone and together in this. Open your hearts.

    18 min

  6. 12/02/2020

    What Waits in Darkness- Loretta Burrough

    Welcome back, listeners! Today's story introduction comes to you in the form of a journal entry as Charlie recounts a moment in her early 20's that led her to find this episode's short story. Hitch-hiking through a small town in California Charlie found a book titled "100 Wild Weird Little Tales" at a second-hand store. Feeling she found a bargain she relinquished weight from her pack by donating two favorite tales she reread through many hours sitting on the side of the road. While at the time she was disappointed at her find, she manages to find a story to entertain us with. "What Waits in Darkness"- Loretta Burrough is a chilling tale about a woman plagued by a reoccurring nightmare. When her husband "suggests" they go to a cabin in the woods to help her relax, she eerily feels that she is at the setting of her dream. While she tries to rid her mind that she can't be living out her dream, many affects in the house shake her from from thinking it is all coincidence. Join Charlie, pour up some java, take a sip and bite down on a biscotti!

    24 min

  7. 11/19/2020

    The Little Green Monster -Haruki Murakami

    Welcome back, listeners! Charlie has been MIA during all the hubbub of COVID-19, and busy trying to find some chaotic neutral as we all are navigating our way through a pandemic. Join Charlie for Episode 2, another short story from another favorite author. The Little Green Monster is a visceral story that is suspenseful and viscous: when a woman home a lone encounters a little creature that has come to profess its love, she finds that her thoughts have powers over this creature and torments it to itty-bitty pieces. Email Charlie at javasipsandbiscotti@gmail.com and let her know what you think of the story, suggestions for other stories or topics, improvements, etc.

    20 min

  8. 05/30/2020

    The Man Who Shouted Teresa - Italo Calvino

    Join Charlie for her first episode where she attempts to create a podcast. Reading a short story from one of her favorite authors, Italo Calvino, where a man's strange prerogative romances a group of strangers into joining in completing his task. Only it doesn't end how one might think. Join Charlie for a tongue-in-cheek narrative to pass a few minutes away, to offer a comment for improvement, to enjoy a moment with Java Sips and Biscotti (javasipsandbiscotti@gmail.com)

    10 min

  9. TRAILER

    Java Sips and Biscotti

    A crap shoot of podcasts with an ambitious host, Charlie. Give her a try, and help her create some fun content. Email her at javasipandbiscotti@gmail.com

    1 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Join Charlie R. Mendel for a heartfelt blend of stories and coffee. Each episode feels like a quiet moment shared with a friend, where the warmth of a fresh brew meets tender tales and gentle reflection. Charlie reads favorite short stories, listener picks, and guest works that celebrate creativity, connection, and the beauty of everyday life. Pour a cup, slow down, and let each story touch your heart. Share your stories, personal reflections/ life accounts or book recommendations at javasipsandbiscotti@gmail.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Charlie R. Mendel and Majd Moubarak
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2023
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Charlie R. Mendel and Majd Moubarak
  • Show Website
    Java Sips & Biscotti