Drinks in the Library

• Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz with Magan Vernon

  Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz is a memoir about her decade-long entrapment in a manipulative Christian cult during her time on One Tree Hill. The book details how the group controlled her life, career, and finances—until motherhood and the support of friends gave her the strength to break free.My guest this week is the lovely Magan Vernon, an author who has been living off reader tears since she wrote her first short story in 2004. She now spends her time killing off fictional characters, pretending to plot while she really just watches Netflix, and she tries to do this all while her kids run amok around her Texas ranch. Subscribe to her Newsletter and join her Facebook Fan Group here: Magan’s Minions (Reader Group)Strawberry Champagne Margaritafresh strawberries, trimmed2 oz. tequila1 oz. fresh lime juice.25 cups sparkling wineOptional: 4 oz. triple sec or 2 tablespoons agave syrup, for a sweeter margaritaPlace strawberries in a large glass. Using a muddler, muddle the strawberries until they resemble puree.Add tequila, lime juice, and strawberry puree to a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake. If you would like to add a sweetener to the cocktail, add triple sec or agave syrup to the cocktail shaker as well.Fill cocktail glass or champagne flute halfway full with ice. Top with sparkling wine and garnish with a strawberry or lime.In this EpisodeDinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy LenzOne Tree HillTex WatsonThe White Lotus Cocktail BookSpecsParis, The Memoir by Paris HiltonMagan’s Library’s Reading Challenge (that I am totally stealing!)

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• Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl with Mandy Naglich

  The song “Welcome to New York” has been in my head all week preparing for this episode on the book Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise, a witty and revealing memoir by renowned food critic Ruth Reichl. During her time as The New York Times restaurant critic, Reichl went undercover in elaborate disguises to avoid preferential treatment and uncover the truth about New York’s dining scene. Blending memoir, food writing, and restaurant reviews, the book offers delicious behind-the-scenes stories, vivid character sketches, and reflections on identity, privilege, and the power of perception, all served under the iconic Manhattan skyline.The amazing person who came to me with this book is Mandy Naglich, an author, journalist, and certified taster. She travels the world to report stories on food and drink culture for a variety of outlets as well as her own personal platform, Drinks with Mandy. Her award-winning book, How to Taste, takes readers on a journey into their senses and introduces them to the quirky characters in the world of professional tasting along the way. Cosmo Recipe (Mandy’s Version)0.5 oz cranberry juice0.5 oz pomegranate juice (the stuff you find in the refrigerated section is best!) 0.5 oz fresh-squeezed lime juice 1 oz triple sec (I use Cointreau)1.5-2 oz vodka Shake hard with ice, pour into martini glass, don’t over-strain so you can enjoy the ice-chips, garnish with orange, and enjoy!In This EpisodeMandy’s Linktree (Instagram, TikTok, Writing, and more!)Ruth Reichl’s SubstackNational Homebrew Competition Mandy won this in 2016Cicerone Beer CertificationHow to Taste - Mandy’s BookCork DorkDrinks with Mandy

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• The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma with Dr. Meghan Waldron

  In The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, Robin Sharma tells the story of a high-powered lawyer who trades his fast-paced life for spiritual enlightenment in the Himalayas. This modern fable blends personal development with timeless wisdom, offering a roadmap to finding purpose, balance, and joy. Today’s guest, Dr. Meghan Waldron, is a lifelong dreamer, writer, and educator who believes every student has a story to tell. With nearly two decades in K–12 and now in higher ed, she helps students find confidence and joy in writing through reflection, creativity, and honest feedback. Meghan is also a professional writer and recently earned her EdD in Educational Leadership from VCU. When she’s not teaching or writing, she’s out adventuring with her sons. Our drink this week is the Fountain of Youth. The book talks extensively about the “Fountain of Life,” which is essentially water—and as a proud water drinker, I say stay hydrated, friends! But for our more adventurous summer days, this cocktail—with its bright notes of lemon and elderflower—is a perfect treat. Cheers! Fountain of Youth Cocktail (from Rebecca Creek Distillery) 2 oz Vodka¾ oz Elderflower Liqueur¾ oz fresh lemon juice2 sprigs of mint leaves2 oz Prosecco Add Vodka along with Elderflower Liqueur and Lemon juice together in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.Shake vigorously for a few seconds and then strain into a rocks glass filled with iceTop off with Prosecco.Garnish with the two sprigs of mint leaves. In this Episode https://www.smartsolutionsva.com/ - Meghan’s Tutoring Company The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma The Camino The Way Film The Alchemist by Paula Coelho

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• Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel with Dave Valeza

  This week, we're diving into Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel—a hauntingly beautiful novel that blends post-apocalyptic survival with the enduring power of art, memory, and human connection. Set in the aftermath of a devastating pandemic, the story weaves together multiple timelines and characters, from a Shakespearean theater troupe traveling the ruins of North America to the lives they left behind. Our guest is Dave Valeza, who grew up in Covina, California, after emigrating with his family from Manila, Philippines. Pursuing his love of drawing, Dave earned a bachelor’s degree in illustration and a master’s in sequential art. A passionate visual storyteller, he especially loves drawing people, fashion, and technology. In his spare time, Dave enjoys cooking, reading, and sketching in Savannah, Georgia - where he lives with his husband and family. Find out more about Dave and his work at davevaleza.com. Our drink this week fits right into a dystopian world. It’s a simple Mimosa—cocktail or mocktail style—made with sparkling wine or ginger beer/ginger ale. But here’s the twist: you must drink it out of a random old cup you found lying around. That’s the full Station Eleven experience—elegance in the ruins. Cheers! In this Episode Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel Four Eyes: A Graphic Novel by Rex Ogle (Author) Dave Valeza (Illustrator) Pizza Face: A Graphic Novel by Rex Ogle (Author) Dave Valeza (Illustrator) Blubber by Judy Blume Forever by Judy Blume Summer Sisters by Judy Blume

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• Reading with Pride: A Queer Lit Celebration with Rachel Yorkshire

  Happy Pride Month Libration Nation! This week’s episode is so special and fun, with returning guest Rachel Yorkshire! Rachel is bringing us a wealth of books with LGBTQ stories by queer authors that she loves. We also enjoyed Iced Coffees, which as Rachel says, is the gayest of all drinks! Rachel lives in Richmond with her wife Marissa and their very spoiled dog. She and her wife both post their bookish endeavors and reviews over on their bookstagram lesbereaders, and they would love for you to give them a follow. If she’s not reading, Rachel is probably daydreaming, laughing with friends, or bothering her dog. The first Pride March in New York City was held on June 28, 1970, on the one year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. This month, I encourage you to read stories that celebrate the LGBTQ community, and the contributions they have made toward our society. There is a lot of hate being directed towards this community right now, and I encourage all of us to stand with them, show support and solidarity. In This Episode Rachel’s previous DITL Episode - Carry On by Rainbow Rowell LesBeReaders (Rachel and her Wife’s Bookstagram) Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby Vampires Never Get Old by Natalie C. Parker & Zoraida Córdova (for fans of Vampire Stories) Bad Gays: A Homosexual History by Ben Miller & Huw Lemmey (for History Nerds)  Fun Home by Alison Bechdel (for people who love Graphic Novels) The Bechdel Test Heartstopper by Alice Oseman (for people who love Graphic Novels)  The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon (for fans of High Fantasy) It Came from the Closet Edited by Joe Vallese (for fans of Horror Movies) Too Scary; Didn’t Watch Podcast Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas (for when you want a Supernatural YA Novel) Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz (for people who love coming of age stories) Moby Dyke: An Obsessive Quest To Track Down The Last Remaining Lesbian Bars In America by Krista Burton (for Gays who love going to the bars!) Stonewall Sports League Richmond Babes of Carytown Gay Bar: Why We Went Out by Jeremy Atherton Lin (for Gays who love going to the bars!)  The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun (for fans of The Bachelor or The Bachelorette—but make it gay) Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield (for when you want a Spooky, Mysterious, SAD book) Movies That Made Me Gay by Larry Duplechan (for fans of Classic Cinema) Stars in Your Eyes by Kacen Callender (for fans of Fluffy Rom-Coms) A little Pride Month History Here For It by R. Eric Thomas (one of Gigi’s favorite books and writer)

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