Drinks in the Library

• Required Listening with Gigi Howard

  Hello, Libration Nation! This week, I'm doing something a bit different and sharing 15 books that I loved in 2025! This format is a departure from the regular show, but I wanted to highlight some personal favorites that haven't made it onto the show yet. If you want to give feedback on this or for future episodes, reach out to me at [email protected] week’s drink is a fabulous rosé from none other than the Duchess of Sussex herself, Meghan Markle! I’ll also be sharing a tasting video on Instagram, so stay tuned!No show notes this week—I really want you to listen to the episode in full, so I won’t be listing the books just yet. But don’t worry, I’ll share that list closer to the holiday season!And if you haven’t registered yet, don’t miss my live event on Tuesday, October 28 at M.M.LaFleur Georgetown! I’ll be interviewing Ally Kirkpatrick, owner of Old Town Books, and it’s going to be a delightful and fun evening!Date: Tuesday, October 28 Time: 6-8 PM Location: M.M.LaFleur, 1344 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC What to expect: - Drinks & light bites before & after the recording - Shop M.M.LaFleur’s cozy fall collection at 15% off - Browse our in-store library curated by Old Town Books RSVP & more details: https://luma.com/hbsnu98yEnjoy the episode!

  --------  

  --------
• Surrender by Bono with Heidi K. Brown

  In Surrender by Bono, the iconic frontman of U2, shares a deeply personal memoir that explores his life’s journey through music, activism, and spirituality. With candid reflections and heartfelt anecdotes, he invites readers into the experiences that shaped both his artistry and his commitment to making a difference in the world.Heidi K. Brown is a former lawyer, a law professor, a writer, a novice boxer, a passionate U2 fan, a proud introvert, and a feisty solo traveler. She is the author of three books about well-being and healthy performance for law students, lawyers, and other members of the legal profession: The Introverted Lawyer,Untangling Fear in Lawyering, and The Flourishing Lawyer. Heidi is an internationally recognized public speaker on topics of self-empowerment, authenticity, and self-discovery. Heidi launched her debut travel memoir, The Map I Draw: A Memoir of Travel as a Passport to Self, in June 2025. You can find more at https://heidikristinbrown.com and her substack Heidiography.Our drink this week is Irish Whiskey, specifically Writer’s Tears if you can get it! If you are in the United States you can order it through Reserve Bar.In this Episodehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Joshua_TreeIs U2 the longest running band on the planet?Ali Hewson - Chernobyl InternationalThe Creative Act by Rick RubinThe Creative Habit by Twyla TharpSteven Pressfield BooksHeidi’s Keynote at University of Richmond Law School GraduationJoshua Tree Bar Manhattan (sadly now closed!)

  --------  

  --------
• Solito by Javier Zamora with Donna McCarthy

  In Solito, a memoir by poet Javier Zamora recounts his harrowing and heartfelt journey as a nine-year-old traveling alone from El Salvador to the United States to reunite with his parents. Through vivid detail and deep emotion, he captures the fear, hope, and resilience of migration through a child’s eyes.Donna McCarthy is a retired high school special education teacher who’s been happily retired for seven years. She volunteers as a Friend of the Newburgh Free Library and leads a book club for fellow retired teachers. Donna loves spending time with her grandson, she’s a proud bi-coastal grandma often traveling to visit him in California from her home in New York, and she never passes up a chance to travel, whether it’s exploring somewhere new in the U.S. or heading abroad. Also, she is my aunt!Our drink this week is Horchata, a drink well known in Central America and one that Javier drinks in the book. A classic rice drink, I linked below a recipe from El Salvador, but you can also try it by using this mix or purchasing one at your local Pollo Campero!Horchata Salvadoreña4oz morro seed2oz peanuts2 oz de sesame seeds1 tbsp of coaca powder1 oz pumpkin seed1 oz cinammon 1/4 tbsp Vanilla or to taste2 oz dried corn2 oz riceSugar to taste1 - 1 1/2 gallons of Water - this can be subbed with any milk you'd like or split.In this EpisodeAmerican Dirt by Jeanne CumminsSalvadorean Civil WarCoyote (Colloquial for human smuggler)Javier Zamora’s WebsiteSecond Attempt Crossing PoemUnaccompanied by Javier Zamora

  --------  

  --------
• Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston with Katharine Herndon

  Welcome back to Drinks in the Library! Today, we're exploring the delightful and charming world of Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. This romantic comedy takes us on a whirlwind journey through love, politics, and the complexities of identity as we follow the unexpected romance between Alex Claremont-Diaz, the First Son of the United States, and Prince Henry of Wales.My guest this week is Katharine Herndon, who lives in Richmond, Virginia, with her husband, two boys, and a hound dog named Lola. She used to teach (English, of course), but the homework got to her, so she decided to take up nonprofit work instead (insert laughter). Currently the Executive Director of James River Writers, she is an enthusiastic advocate for the RVA literary community and can be found at nearly all JRW events. In her free time she kills plants, burns things more than she cooks, knits very sporadically, and is still looking for some form of tolerable exercise. Our drink this week was a nod to our friends across the pond: The New G&T (Gin and Earl Grey Tea)2 ounce Earl Grey Tea2 ounce Gin1 ounce Maple Syrup3/4 ounce Lemon JuiceFresh Mint or Dried Rose Petals for garnish, optionalIn a rocks glass add ice and set aside. In your cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients, except for the garnish. Fill the shaker with ice and put the cap on. Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds, or until the shaker is extremely cold.Strain cocktail into your prepared rocks glass and garnish with mint or rose petals, if using. Serve immediately.In This EpisodeThe Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham JonesIn A Jam by Kate CanterburyAmerican Royals by Catherine McGeeRed White and Royal Blue FilmMemoirs of a Geisha by Arthur GoldenThe Horse Whisperer FilmAre You There God? It’s Me Margaret FilmJim Dale Actor & Audiobook NarratorI Kissed Shara Wheelerby Casey McQuistonThe Goblin Emperor by Katherine AddisonJames River Writers Thursday Night Writes

  --------  

  --------
• Catwings by Ursula K. Le Guin with Dr. Julia Skinner

  Hello Libration Nation! Our book this week is Catwings a whimsical and heartwarming tale by beloved author Ursula K. Le Guin. The story follows four ordinary kittens born with an extraordinary gift—they have wings. As they set out to find a safe place in the world, the kittens discover both the beauty and challenges of being different. With gentle language and charming illustrations, Catwings is a modern classic that captures the magic of imagination, the courage of leaving home, and the comfort of finding where you belong.My guest this week is the amazing Dr. Julia Skinner, she is a food writer whose work includes the award-winning book Our Fermented Lives. She is the founder of The Culinary Curiosity School, and also runs Root, a food-focused community and consulting organization offering classes, consulting on creative projects, a weekly newsletter, and more. She's also the founder of Roots and Branches, where she coaches other writers to help them find their voice and share their most important work with the world. She is also a nature lover, a teacher, and a traveler who firmly believes in finding, and sharing, the magic of everyday life. She has a PhD in Library & Information Science, and lives between Atlanta, GA and Cork, Ireland. As a special treat for Libration Nation: use the code DRINKSPOD to for 30% off anything at both The Culinary Curiosity School and Roots and Branches (Thank you Julia!)You can follow her work in her newsletter, or find her on social:@bookishjulia (writing)@rootkitchens (food)@yourrootsandbranches (coaching)@culinary.curiosity.school (culinary courses) For our drink we have two options: Simple Cat Lovers' Cocktail This is basically a Kentucky mule, with an added herbal garnish and/or herbal syrup (depending on your preference) in place of lime. Stir together 1 - 1 1/2 c ginger beer to 1 shot bourbonAdd herbal syrup (below) to taste (optional)Garnish with fresh lemon balm, basil, or mint: lightly crush or roll before adding to the cocktail for maximum flavor Herbal syrup (makes about 1 quart): Combine 2 c sugar to 2 c water with a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Add 1-2 c packed fresh herbs, depending how strong you'd like it (like basil, mint, lemon balm, or mountain mint). Simmer on M/L for 10-15 minutes or until aromatic and flavorful. Cool and store in the fridge in an airtight container. Catwings Cocktail (tailor made by Julia!) This cocktail has a few steps, but I promise they're worth it: And you can batch out the syrup and tea by doubling or tripling the recipe to make these for a group or to keep the ingredients on hand in the fridge (where they'll last a week). The tea can be nice on its own, and any leftover syrup is perfect for adding to coffee or other beverages or drizzling on desserts. For a non-alcoholic version, swap in your favorite NA gin, or try this sea buckthorn-based NA spirit. Makes 4 cocktails For the herbal tea:(Note: you may not have all these dried herbs available. If not, just use 1/4-1/2 tsp catnip and 1 tsp chamomile. Or, just a chamomile tea bag). · 1/4 tsp dried catnip· 1/4 tsp dried chamomile flower· 1/4 tsp Angelica root· 1/4 tsp elecampene Steep the herbs in 3/4 c hot water for 10-12 minutes. Strain and cool completely. For the lemon balm syrup: (Note: You can play with other herbs you like here too, catnip, mountain mint, and/or basil might be fun choices depending on your tastes and what’s available). · 1 packed cup fresh lemon balm leaves· 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar· 2/3 c water· pinch salt· 1 c sugar Heat all ingredients together over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 10-15 minutes or until fragrant and flavorful. Remove from heat, then cool completely and strain. For the cocktail · Divide the herbal tea across 4 rocks glasses (add ice, if desired)· Add 1 shot gin to each glass· Add 1 shot of syrup to each glass and stir· Top with sparkling wine or soda water to taste.· Garnish with fresh lemon balm, if desired.In this EpisodeSteering the Craft by Ursula Le Guin

  --------  

  --------

More Arts podcasts

Trending Arts podcasts

About Drinks in the Library