Drinks in the Library

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger revolves around identical twins, Elspeth and Edie, who have a deep but complicated bond that is tested when Elspeth, a reclusive woman living in London, dies and leaves her apartment to her American nieces, Julia and Valentina. As the twins settle into Elspeth's home, they become entangled in the mysteries of her past and the supernatural presence that lingers in the apartment, particularly the ghost of Elspeth herself.

My guest this week is Valerie Adachi. Valerie is a self-proclaimed bookworm who even enjoyed reading cereal boxes 🥣as a kid, she reminisces over the tactile joy of spreading the New York Times 📰 across her kitchen table.

Adventure always seems to be around the corner for her, often appearing spontaneous but rooted in long-percolating ideas—like the decision to add a new puppy 🐶 to her already bustling pack, turning her quiet life topsy-turvy.

Beyond her love for dogs 🐕 , she thrives on live music, good food and drink shared with family and friends, and the thrill of knowing that adventure is always nearby, maybe we a cozy reading spot 📖

SPOILER ALERT! For the first episode ever, we do discuss the ending, so heads up if you plan to read the book. I do give you a heads up in the episode so you know when to stop, but if you have read it already or want to hear the ending, listen all the way through!

In This Episode
Mirror Twins
Highgate Cemetery

Earl Grey Hot Toddy

Ingredients:
1 cup water
1 Earl Grey tea bag
1-2 tablespoons honey (to taste)
1-2 ounces whiskey (such as bourbon or rye)
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Lemon slice (for garnish)
Cinnamon stick (optional, for garnish

Directions

1. Boil the water in a small saucepan or kettle.
2. Once boiling, remove from heat and add the Earl Grey tea bag. Steep for about 3-5 minutes, depending on your preference for strength.
3. Remove the tea bag and stir in the honey until fully dissolved.
4. Add the whiskey and freshly squeezed lemon juice to the tea mixture, stirring gently to combine.
5. Pour the hot toddy into a mug or heatproof glass.
6. Garnish with a lemon slice and a cinnamon stick, if desired.
7. Serve warm and enjoy your soothing hot toddy!

Our book this week is An Object of Beauty, a novel released in 2010 by Steve Martin, chronicles the journey of the driven and charming Lacey Yeager as she navigates the New York art scene. Starting as an intern at Sotheby's, Lacey ascends to become a prominent gallery owner, revealing her questionable methods and the fluctuating dynamics of the art market from the 1990s to the present. Narrated by her friend Daniel, the story delves into themes of art, collecting, ambition, and social ambition within the art world, all infused with Martin's characteristic wit and dry humor.

My guest this week is Amy Carleton, Ph D. She teaches in the Comparative Media Studies/Writing program at MIT and is the co-founder of Black Notes Project, a Charlotte, NC-based music festival and nonprofit, as well as the creator of Lecture Notes, a public humanities series (and now Substack!). Her research focuses on the behavioral economics of online communities and the intersection of race and digital culture. She is a recipient of the MIT Teaching With Digital Technology award, holds a graduate certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Cornell University, and was selected by the WikiEducation Foundation as a Wikipedia Black History Scholar. Find out more about Amy through her website TheAmyCarleton.com

Our Drink this week is La Marca Prosecco, which is a popular offering at art galleries and showings. So sip some along with us as we dive into the art world of the 90s and 2000s!

In this Episode

Ways of Seeing by John Berger
Born Standing Up by Steve Martin
Davidson college
Exit Through the Gift Shop Documentary
Isabella Stewart Garden Museum Theft
The Mint Museum
Boston Museum of Fine Arts
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
Harvey B. Gantt Center
Institute of Contemporary Art
Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross
Novant Health Art Initiative
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
The Story of Art Without Men by Katy Hessel
Unfinished: The Role of the Artist in the Age of Artificial Intelligence by Lucas Cantor Santiago
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Random Family: Love, Drugs, Trouble, and Coming of Age in the Bronx by Adrian Nicole LeBlanc
Brookline Booksmith
RJ Julia Bookstore

Happy New Year Libration Nation! We are kicking off the year with Heartbeat by Terreece M. Clarke, a romance suspense novel in which Mike and Maya find love in the midst of danger and messiness. This is the first book in Clarke’s Courageous Love Series, and with excellent characters and diverse voices, it is a favorite of this week’s guest, Liz Bullard!

Liz Bullard is a multi-genre author, therapist, and coach known for her captivating storytelling and passion for helping creatives overcome obstacles. Her notable works include The Prophecy Series and the Lira Somers Mysteries—praised for fast-paced plots, vivid characters, and movie-like imagery. Liz’s love of reading and writing is evident in the eReads Podcast, where she celebrates the power of creativity and storytelling. When she’s not writing, coaching, or recording the podcast, she’s cooking, reading, or spending time with Preston the corgi.

Our drink this week is a Hibiscus French 75 Mocktail, using one of my favorite syrups Wild Hibiscus, which includes hibiscus flowers that make the cocktail match Heartbeat’s cover!

Ingredients
1 oz NA gin
.5 oz Wild Hibiscus syrup
.5 oz fresh lemon juice
NA Sparkling wine
Ice
Lemon twist or edible flower (for garnish)

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, wild hibiscus syrup, and fresh lemon juice.
2. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well for about 15-20 seconds until the mixture is chilled.
3. Place hibiscus flower from the syrup in a champagne flute.
4. Pour mixture from shaker into flute
5. Top it off: Gently top off the drink with your choice of chilled NA sparkling wine.

In this Episode
Terreece M. Clarke’s Website
James Patterson
Janet Evanovich

Hello Libration Nation! This week I am joined by Nick George, a poet and educator, to discuss This Is The Honey an anthology of poems edited by Kwame Alexander. We talked about Nick’s journey with poetry, the significance of diverse voices in poetic anthologies, and the importance of seeing yourself reflected in stories. We read and analyze poems from the anthology, including works by Mahogany L. Brown and Jabari Asim. This is the last episode of 2025 as I’m taking a little break to relax and spend time with my family. Looking forward to some great episodes coming out in 2026!

Nicholas Steven George (or, Nick George the Poet) is a poet, educator, DJ and facilitator. He has performed at venues such as TedXCharlottesville, American Psychology Association Annual Convention, University of Lynchburg & Opera Roanoke. In performing his original work, he has opened for renowned poets like Jasmine Mans, Levi the Poet, Alysia Harris, Black Ice & Joshua Bennett. His work dwells at the intersection of culture, identity and spirituality. He has been writing, performing, and teaching for more than two decades. Nick’s award-winning work has been featured in a variety of industries and highlighted on platforms on the local and nationwide scale, ranging from private group facilitation and workshops, 1 on 1 coaching, and virtual/in-person performances. Find him on his website or on social media.

Moscow Mule

2 oz vodka
1 oz fresh lime juice
4 oz ginger beer
Fresh mint leaves (about 8-10)
Lime wedge (for garnish)
Ice
Copper mug (traditional)

In the bottom of a copper mug, add the fresh mint leaves. Gently muddle them with a muddler or the back of a spoon to release their oils.
Fill the mug with ice cubes.
Pour the vodka and fresh lime juice over the ice.
Top off with ginger beer, stirring gently to combine all ingredients.
Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprig of fresh mint.
Enjoy your refreshing Moscow Mule!

In this Episode
Drinks in the Library Merch
Sonya Sanchez
Langston Hughes
Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
Amiri Baraka Black Art

Hello libration nation! This week's book is The Gunslinger by Stephen King a dark twisted fantasy novel and the first book in King’s The Dark Tower series. It follows the journey of Roland Deschain, the last gunslinger, as he traverses a desolate and mysterious landscape in pursuit of the enigmatic Man in Black. The story blends elements of fantasy, horror, and Western, exploring themes of destiny, obsession, and the nature of good and evil, as Roland confronts both external foes and his own inner demons on his quest to reach the Dark Tower, the nexus of all universes.

Guest
Bill Blume was determined to be a writer from a young age, often taking the lead in crafting adventures during childhood games in South Carolina. After graduating from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, he worked as a TV news producer before transitioning to a dispatcher role for Henrico County Police in 2001. In Richmond, he and his wife became active in the local writing community, contributing to James River Writers, where he served on the board and continues to engage with fellow writers and industry professionals.He is the author of several books, and has an upcoming novel, To Hell and Back coming out January 20th, 2026.

Our drink this week was a Dark & Stormy, the perfect dark and spicy drink to pair with an anti-hero like Roland Deschain.

In This Episode

Sh*tty First Draft - Anne Lamott
George Lucas Star Wars changes
Original Gunslinger vs. Revised Edition
Shiver by Maggie Steifvater
James River Writers
Books by Stephen King
Battle of the Planets Series
Malinda Lo Books
NK Jemison Books
Erin Bowman Books
West of Apocalypse by Bill Blume
Richmond SPCA
Richmond Animal League
Sarah Glenn Marsh