Lifelong friends and readers, Sarah and Cynthia, discuss great books you may have missed while enjoying a cocktail that aligns with the book of choice. With thousands of books published each year, it is difficult to uncover the hidden gems. We will help you decide what to add to your TBR list, while suggesting a new cocktail you just might enjoy, too.
Join us in The Reading Lounge!
Welcome to The Reading Lounge! Sarah and Cynthia discuss The Sideways Life of Denny Voss by Holly Kennedy. This novel is bit of a mystery, family drama, and coming of age story all in one. Listen in to hear our thoughts and decide if you should add to your TBR. Spoiler alert - one of us even changed our mind after the discussion. Who doesn't love discussing books to get a different perspective while enjoying a refreshing mocktail!
George's Good Life Spritz
2 oz fresh orange juice
1 oz fresh lemon juice
4 oz sparking water (we used a lemon flavored sparkling water)
1/2 oz honey
Mix all ingredients over ice and garnish with an orange wheel and sprig of mint.
Other books we discussed include:
Solito by Javier Zamora
An Unexpected Life by Gloria Steinem
This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page
Marilyn and Her Books: The Literary Life of Marilyn Monroe by Gail Crowther
The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers
Thank you for joining us in The Reading Lounge!
3 Oct 2026
It's Time for Fall Books!
Sarah and Cynthia share their picks for Fall 2026 reading. With so many great books to choose from, here is a head start on what to pick up and add to your TBR.
While you're enjoying your Fall reads, here is a season cocktail to sip on.
Apple Cider Bourbon Fizz
1.5 oz Bourbon
3 oz apple juice
splash of ginger ale
Mix all in a glass over ice and enjoy!
21 Sept 2026
The Elegance of the Hedgehog
We head to France in this episode of The Reading Lounge as we discuss The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. Originally written in French in 2006, the novel has been translated into numerous languages and even made into a French movie. Come listen in as we discuss the the challenges and rewards of the novel.
Of course, our resident mixologist, Sarah, created a cocktail especially for our episode!
The Concierge's Secret
2 oz cognac or brandy
3/4 oz elderflower liqueur
2.5 oz sparkling lemonade
Lemon twist
Mix cognac, elderflower liqueur and ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Top with sparkling lemonade and garnish with a twist.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.9 / 5
16 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 42 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
64
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
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