Bar Tales

Hola Readers!  Rambling time!!!  Let's see...hmmm...I have a huge stack of books here to ramble about...Let's go with After Hours: Tales From the Ur-Bar  edited by Joshua Palmer and Patricia Bray.  This is an awesome little collection of stories centered around a bar run by the legendary Gilgamesh and is set in many times and places.  All of the stories are pretty cool, but here are just a couple of my favorites.

An Alewife in Kish by Benjamin Tate - This is the first story in the collection and tells the tale of how the previous proprietor of this magical eternal bar essentially tricks Gilgamesh into taking over for her.  In this story we learn the rules, which is essentially the proprietor is immortal, but may never set foot outside of the bar unless he/she can convince somebody else to willingly take over.  We also learn that the bar shifts around as time marches on, appearing in various places in various incantations...which sets up the rest of the collection beautifully.

Why The Vikings Had No Bars by S.C. Butler - Vikings rock!  Vikings who get introduced to liquor fight.  Vikings who get introduced to liquor and then messed with by one of their gods just makes for a great bloody story.  This early entry into the collection was just fun and bloody and perfectly Viking in every way.

The Tavern Fire by D.B. Jackson - Tiller is a simple man who earns his food by buying and selling stuff he can gather from the townsfolk.  He stops by the Brazen Head Tavern where Miss Jackson is uncommonly kind to him.  Turns out she wants information about Janna, who works at Gil's bar (which is called the Fat Spider in this story).  Tiller goes to Gil's bar and is given food and drink.  Miss Jackson comes in to try and get Janna to cast a spell to bring a married man to fall in love with her.  Janna refuses and Miss Jackson  threatens to expose her as a witch.  Gil offers a spell instead.  This results in the man coming to Miss Jackson, but his wife follows and it is implied that she sets the tavern on fire...solid story.

The Alchemy of Alcohol by Seana McGuire - This is probably my favorite story in this collection.  It combines the world of fae, science, cooking, potion making AND includes two very yummy drink recipes.  The Summer King brings The Winter Queen to be woken early so she can help battle her obnoxious sister.  Furniture, drinks and magic fly in this fabulous story.

Forbidden by Avery Shade -  A woman from the future comes to the present to collect genetic samples.  She comes from a place where individuality and extremes have been eliminated leading to a bland and safe existence.  With the help of a chat with Gil and some experience in the bar she decides to stay and live a full...if possibly unsafe life.

I really enjoyed all the variety this collection had to offer.  I also like the common thread running through them all, kind of like reading a complete story with little tales tucked inside.  I am now going to join my friends for a drink and create our own stories.  I give this collection 7 out of 10 magic elixirs and recommend it to anybody who likes a great ale tale.  Happy Reading Everybody!

The Anatomy Of A Good Reading Day

There is nothing like have a few hours to yourself to just read!  The vast majority of the time that is all I want to do, and unfortunately most of my reading is done on the fly so when I get a few solid hours to devote to reading, I want it make it as perfect as possible.  Here is my breakdown of a perfect day of reading.

The Book - Obviously the best part of a reading day is actually reading, so book selection is paramount.  I have found that I enjoy myself the most when my book matches the season/environment/current book craving.  For me this means reading certain books in certain seasons, or maybe gathering a couple of books to really make sure I have the exact right one. This is the most variable of components in a reading day.

The Environment - The next component in a great reading day is the environment.  I like a comfy place that has minimal distractions (I have a hard time reading if there is a tv on...I get too distracted) and a very comfy place to curl up.  This can be any number of places.  I love to read outside, especially int he fall and spring.  Summer time see's me at the pool or beach.  Cold days or tired days you can find me in my comfy reading chair.  I am also a huge fan of pillows/blankets/cushions to really ensure total comfort.  I regularly keep a zillion various cushy items to pad my chosen reading spot and am not above bringing a couple of pillows with me to the great outdoors.  I also really love a unique spot outside of my home zone.  This includes libraries, gardens, restaurants, boats, and well just about anywhere that inspires me.  On vacation my Hubbin has learned to build in at least a couple of hours for me to read in a new local spot.

Libations - I love having the perfect drink next to me while I read...I like it even better when somebody else makes it for me and keeps it full.  I am not horribly picky when it comes to my beverages, I sometimes like to match it to my book, and definitely the weather/environment play a role, but really that's about it.  My favorites include, coffee, tea, wine, Hubbin made cocktails, hot chocolate, cider (hot or cold), occasionally beer or a nice sipping whiskey...pretty much anything that is sippable and enhances the experience.

Snacks - For me it all depends on how I'm feeling as to whether or not snacks are necessary.  Sometimes a certain book will trigger a food craving, or if I'm snacky in general its nice to have some munchies.  My problem is food can get distracting, especially if it's messy, making me pause in my reading to eat.  For the most part any thing I can eat with out utensils or needing to use a napkin after every bite works the best.  I have found a nice box of gourmet chocolates hits the spot.  All that being said, I have on many occasion purposely gone out by myself for a meal at a restaurant with the sole purpose of eating and reading and I find my ebooks work really well for this type of reading day.

Technology - As a general rule, I usually try and banish all technology when I am doing some dedicated reading.  I turn off my phone, tv, computer, and any other distractions and just allow myself to get lost in my books.  The exceptions to this are obviously if I am reading an ebook or if I'm reading something that requires/inspires a quick bit of research...I'll use my phone for that.

If I can get all of these elements to come together at the same time I know I am in for some happy times.  I have spent a lot of time reading and am adept at quickly assembling all components of a perfect reading day anytime I find I have carved out some time.  On that note, it looks like I have a little bit of time now so off I go to brew some coffee and grab a blanket and book.  Happy Reading Everybody!

Books Bikini's And Booze

I'm back my bookish friends, a wee bit burnt, a wee bit hung over, but very very happy and relaxed.  This is the first real vacation Hubbin and I have taken in ten years and it was much much needed.  Here is a quick rundown of the trip...'cause I'm sure you are all desperate to know every detail teeheehee.

Day 1-My bestie L drove us to Baltimore Harbor to check in.  People kept staring at me 'cause I had a HUGE beach bag full to bursting with books I refused to check, I mean what if I got stuck in line and needed something to read?  Or worse, what if they lost them?!?  Anyways we got on the ship with all my books and promptly got our drink on while waiting for our room to be ready...and maybe got a few chapters in too.

Day 2 - The day started with a mimosa and a hot rock massage and a couple of chapters in one of my books.  We mostly spent the day exploring the ship, reading and sleeping.

Day 3 - We spent the day at the Florida Brewing Company, touring the facility, drinking and playing giant Jenga.  Met some new friends who helped us sneak off to a place with atomic cherries.  What are atomic cherries?  They are cherries that have been soaked in grain alcohol and then eaten...needless to say I don't remember much more about the day...other then I made Hubbin haul around as least three books in the backpack...you know just in case.

Day 4 -  Nassau was our stop for the day and after a morning of reading and sexiest man alive competition we were ready to explore.  We decided to go off on our own, and man am I glad we did.  The experience was AMAZING! We met locals who were more then willing to talk with us and show all the best places.  My favorites were the Queen's Staircase which has a heartbreaking, yet ultimately redemptive history and the Nassau Public Library which used to be a prison.  This is one of those day's I call a book experience, because I feel like our day could have come right out of the pages of a story.

Day 5 - This day held one of my favorite parts of the whole trip.  I got to hold, hug and kiss a stingray!!!!!!!!!  I don't know why the experience was so insanely awesome for me, I'm not particularly fond of stingrays but for some reason holding one of these big alive creatures was just...I'm not sure, amazing, awesome, different, really really cool.  Sipping rum out of pineapples, snorkeling and getting stung on the butt by a jellyfish finished off this day.

Day 6 - This day was dedicated to reading.  We got into our bikini's and swimsuits told the waiter to keep the drinks coming and read and read and read and read.  I love day's like this because I can get really into a story with no fear of interruption (well except for the drinks).  It was by far the most relaxed I have been in a long time.

Day 7 - Our last day was spent finishing everything up.  I finished my book, we finished spending all our money, met up with our new friends to finish up the atomic cherries and ended the night by finishing annoying the piano guy in our favorite bar.

It was a great vacation spent with an amazing guy doing everything we wanted.  I am sososososo glad we did this and now every time I curl up with my book I expect somebody to be standing there with a drink tee hee hee.  Happy Reading Everybody!

Bookbrewskis

Beer is good, books are better, book inspired beer the best!

Hobbit Beer

Edgar Allan Poe Beer

Shakespeare Brews

Read A Beer

White Whale Ale

If you have time, click the links and check out some of the really cool stories behind these cool and refreshing drinks.  Until then drink up and HAPPY READING EVERYBODY!

Literary Libations

One of my favorite things about the holidays is the abundance of alcohol and the excuse to drink it...I mean the love and family and spirits...I mean spirit of love...and drinks :-)  Here are some cool literary drink ideas from the book Tequila Mockingbird by Tim Federle (which if anybody feels like getting me will not be refused).

A Midsummers Night Dream

A Midsummer Night’s Beam

Take two parts Ren Faire and one part Greek mythology, add a liberal dash of forest-dwelling nymphs, and you’ve got Shakespeare’s whimsical meditation on love and lunacy. An amateur might toast this oft-produced play with two melatonin and a gulp of cough syrup, but Lord, only a foolish mortal would try that – this is a dream, not a blackout. You’ll want to stay upright, if drowsily so, for a light, vegetation-heavy drink that will keep you skimmin all five acts before a proper fairy-blessed slumber. You might just wake up in love.

8 sprigs fresh mint

1/1 ounce lime juice

2 teaspoons granulated sugar

2 ounces bourbon

1 (12-ounce) can club soda

Muddle the mint, lime juice and sugar in a highball glass. add ice and bourbon and fill to the top with the club soda. Sip to your imagination’s content 0 stopping only if you shadow begins to speak.

Sherlock Holmes

The Adventures of Sherbert Holmes

Pro-tip: “Elementary, my dear Watson” was never exactly spoken by Sherlock Holmes. Conan Doyle’s beloved sleuth appeared on the big screen saying that phrase, but not on the page; he was too busy being the only detective who could crack a case from the comfort of his arm chair. We take a tip from a lesser-known story that appeared alongside twelve others in a blazingly popular magazine series: raise a glass ti “The Blue Carbuncle.” a Holmes whodunnit involving a goose with a very expensive gem lodged very inconveniently in its neck. After you trade jewels for berries, the only remaining mystery will be why you’ve never made this party pleaser before.

(Makes 10 drinks)

1 quart sherbet

1 bottle (about 3 cups) Champagne, chilled

1 litre ginger ale 

1/2 cup fresh blueberries, washed, for garnish

Empty the sherbet into a punch bowl and pour the Champagne and ginger ale on top. Float the blueberries and serve. Don’t leave the room for long – you’ll return to a fast-empty bowl and a classic whodrunkit.

The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Pitcher of Dorian Grey Goose

Boy, did this book have it all: knife fights, magic paintings and (spoiler alert!) people who never age. Wilde wasn’t just ahead of the cosmetic surgery boom here – he also pushed the envelope on homoeroticism, resulting in widespread censorship in later versions of the book. Try getting your hands on the juicy early copies for Dorian, and then gather a group of ageing beauty queens (or simply ageing queens), who’ll be guaranteed to love our hedonistic youth serum. Just keep them away from your expensive art.

(Makes 10 drinks)

10 sprigs fresh mint,

1 (12-ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate

2 cups vodka

Cucumber, sliced into wheels for garnish  

Tear the mint, then place in the pitcher. Add the lemonade concentrate and stir until thawed. Pour in the vodka and three cups cold water and stir. Serve over ice, garnish with the cucumber wheels, and remember: age before beauty – if anyone will fess up.

These are just a couple of the awesome and literary puntastic drinks in this nifty little book.  I really really want it for my kitchen bookshelf (yes I even have bookshelves in my kitchen) to put with my other food related books...or book related food stuff...or whatever.  Send me your favorite literary libations and as always Happy Reading Everybody!

Smokes and Glasses Club

Had another great weekend, maybe not THE BEST WEEKEND EVER, but still not to shabby.  Helped one of my fellow EMT's out and did a little extra staffing and training with the crew.  Had ice cream with cinnamon and chocolate chips for dinner on Saturday (I love being an adult) after I got home, and even got my lazy butt out of bed to work out the next day.  Sunday was beautiful and after our workout decided to consume as many calories as possible in the form of Kraken rum, home made bacon, jalapeno, smoked cayenne cheddar bbq burgers and home made apple cider donuts.

Best part (or one of the best parts) was either curling up in my reading chair and living in my book world for two solid uninterrupted hours, or our meeting of the Smokes and Glasses club. What is a Smokes and Glasses club?  It is when you get something tasty to drink (wine, whiskey, scotch, rum) that has to be drunk from an actual glass and then light up your favorite cigar or pipe (no cigarettes) and talk about to most
random things while sitting on the porch.  Last night me and the Hubbin (founding members of the Smokes and Glasses Club) started with a discussion of Atlas Shrugged by the late Ayn Rand.  This is one of Hubbin's favorite books, and he is enjoying the movies as well.  After a bit of a talk on our favorite characters,(Fransico for him and Rearden's wife for me) we moved on to the discussion of potential utopia scenarios in books and what works, what doesn't and why it seems they can't last. In Atlas Shrugged the potential utopia happens when (SPOILER ALERT) a small group of like minded people purposely isolate themselves from the real world.  This seems to be a common theme in utopian scenarios, almost every ""perfect" society seems to be one of limited humans in an isolated condition.  Of course this works, because in general if you have a small group (compared to the rest of the world) who are all agreeing to work towards one goal and eliminate most of the outside interference then you probably have a better shot at that coveted working as one happy happy joy joy society.  In books we either see a person stumble upon one of these groups, or we see the utopia
being threatened by outside sources, or we see where there are cracks in the utopian ideals making it actually more of a controlled experiment and less of a choosing to live in perfect harmony.  In the novelette Genesis society only works for about one generation or so, as soon as a generation is born into this created peace, they don't have the fear and knowledge of the outside world to motivate them into following specific rules that were earlier agreed upon. So essentially we see any long term, wide spread perfection is almost impossible even in fiction.

Of course after this discussion, I took it upon myself to try and form, if not a perfect society, then at least a form of government that would actually be accountable for its actions, be able to respond in a timely manner and still be representative of the general populace.  I came up with a weird mix of elected monarchy, a life time elected super court (kind of like the supreme court but bigger) and general populace voting.  My Hubbin always looking to improve ideas helped my by playing devils advocate and was finding the potential strengths and weaknesses.  The biggest weakness of course is the one that essentially dooms all human run societies to potential ruin and that of course is humans themselves.  We determined that society works best when individuals are given freedoms, and those individuals use that freedom, by choice for the good of the whole. Of course that leaves us wide open to those humans who because of various reasons choose to do something that might not be in the best interest of the whole and that brings the whole thing crashing down.  Of course legislating good behavior has also never worked because then we start getting molded into faceless puppets with no individuality.  All this to say is that I have yet to read a book, watch a movie, or see a real life instance where a perfect society can or does exist in the long term.  I think this is ok for two reasons, one is we need those challenges and adversities to make life worth living, to learn and help us grow (not that I want bad things to happen, just that we can use them to grow).  Without these challenges we grow complacent and stagnant, also it makes for really bad
books and movies, I mean who really wants to read about a perfect protagonist with a perfect life where nothing arises to challenge them? The second reason I am ok with a lack of perfection is it gives us something to strive for.  Even though perfection seems impossible, we can at least try to make it better, and if we continually try and make it better, it will get a little bit better and then we can try for more better (was that thoroughly confusing?).  I think this is where books play such an important role as a way to examine and play out some of these idea's, to see where the flaws may be and to even possibly see the long term effects.  You can put crazy idea's in books because the risk to actual humanity is pretty low, but who knows we may look back on those ideas and realize, maybe they are not as crazy as they sound?  Ok so this post got really long and talky so if you made it this far, bravo and go get your self something tasty to drink. I appreciate you all letting me indulge in a little blah blah blah time.

What is your favorite Utopian book?  Have you ever read about a successful long term, wide spread Utopia? What is your idea for a more perfect government?  Should I quit watching CNN before writing these posts?

Sip It With Books

Now that the hopefully cooler weather is upon us it is time to switch from lemonade and mojito's to cider and hot toddies.  Of course along with an amazing gothic novel or a good mystery you also need the perfect mug in which to drink you hot beverage of choice.

More Books Mug

Truer words were never spoken

Classic Book Mugs

Now you can turn you cabinet into a library

Shakespeare Mug

Show your love of the Bard

Book Mugs

Elegant and Classic

Big Books Mug

Love this one:-)

What is your reading drink of choice?  Does your drink change with the seasons/books/availability of a designated driver?  Is it strange that no matter where or when I always have a cup of coffee in between other drinks?