Drinks in the Library

• Kindred by Octavia Butler with Alethea McCollin

  This week’s book is Kindred by Octavia Butler, a time-traveling story about Dana, who goes back in time to ensure the survival of her ancestors: an enslaved woman named Alice and her enslaver, Rufus. This complicated yet entrancing narrative is multifaceted, and my guest this week, Alethea McCollin, and I had a great conversation about the ways Butler challenges her readers to think about the implications of our actions and how they shape the future.Alethea McCollin is a multifaceted artist as a playwright, director, producer, actor, and founder of Orange Stilettos Productions, llc, known for her award-winning production of The Stilettos Monologues at the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival. She has produced various works, including her play Renaming Shaim at Theatre Row, New York City, and directed her first short film, The Next Great Writer, showcased at the Virginia Screenwriters Forum. Additionally, Alethea serves as Executive Secretary on the Board of Directors of James River Writers and is an English instructor at Virginia State University.Our drink this week is one of Alethea’s favorite’s: Blackberry Citrus Tea, which is perfect for sitting by the fire curling up with a good book!In this EpisodeDrinks in the Library MerchKindred by Octavia ButlerJames River WritersVirginia State UniversityBooks by Toni MorrisonBooks by Gabrielle García MárquezBooks by Isabel AllendeNarrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas, an American Slave by Frederick DouglasThe Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

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• Animorphs by KA Applegate with Fiona Fenn (Redux)

  Happy Thanksgiving! I’m taking the week to relax with family. Please enjoy the re-airing of this recording, which originally aired December 17, 2024.Hello Libration Nation! This week we are discussing the classic series Animorphsby K.A. Applegate. Animorphs is a collection of 54 middle-grade books in which five young adults are gifted the power to morph into animals. It was a bit of a cult phenomenon when it was originally published in the late '90s and has recently seen a resurgence online.My guest is Fiona Fenn. Fiona is an author of fantasy novels that put complicated “heroes” front and center. A fan of villains, redemption arcs, and intense explorations of healing in all its forms, her debut novel, The Crack at the Heart of Everything, is a love letter to every villain who wanted to do better but never got the chance.I so enjoyed this conversation with Fiona, talking about the Animorphs series and her love for it, as well as her experience writing and publishing her first novel and everything that goes into this process.Our drink this week is a Flying Saucer, as the Animorphs series begins with the kids meeting an alien who has flown to EarthFlying Saucer Recipe (from Bevvy.com)INGREDIENTS1 oz Amaretto Di Saronno liqueur1 oz Kahlua coffee liqueur3 oz cream3 oz iceCombine in blender until smooth and creamy, serve with cinnamon stick for garnish!In this EpisodeFiona Fenn’s WebsiteBuy The Crack at the Heart of Everything by Fiona FennMichael Grant Gone seriesTiny Fox PressAnimorphs AloudQueer Liberation LibraryKA Applegate WebsiteFree Animorphs PDFsFiona Fenn’s Substack

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• The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary with Ashley Jones

  The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary is a charming romantic comedy about two strangers, Tiffy and Leon, who share a London flat but have never met, communicating only through notes. As they navigate their unconventional living arrangement, they gradually develop a deep connection that leads to unexpected romance.My guest this week is the hilarious Ashley Jones, who dreams of owning a stationery store and recapping reality TV for a living (dream big), all while aiming to finally shoot a T-shirt gun, an ambition she’s pursued for over a decade. Ashley is one of my favorite people I follow on social media, and I hope you follow her there too! You can find Ashley on Instagram @AshleyJonesy, Threads @AshleyJonesy, on TikTok @ohashleyjonesy and NOW on her just launched substack Yap Time: The Newsletter you read before a nap.I had such a great time chatting with Ashley, we share so many of the same passions (Bravo shows, Taylor Swift, Pop Culture in general) that we frequently got off topic and I had to cut a good portion of the show, which I will be calling “The Lost Episode”, which will not be released and will become part of the lore of the show until fans clamor for me to release it 10 years from now, a la “All Too Well” 10 minute version, which is a Taylor reference and I promise that’s the last one, at least for the podcast intro!Together we delve into the plot of The Flatshare , focusing on the characters' humanity and the book's feel-good nature. Ashley reflects on how the book changed her perspective on reading for enjoyment. We also talked about the value of empathy, dealing with insecurities, and the joy of following passions, ending the conversation with a nod to Ashley’s love for Sonic's Coke Zero and styrofoam cups.In This EpisodeKelce Bowl (Super Bowl LVII)Not Gonna Lie (Kylie Kelce’s Podcast - my #1 rival!)Orpheus by Sara BareillesStyrofoam cups outlawed in VirginiaSonic Drive InBeth O’Leary’s WebsiteBooks by Beth O’LearyBrett Goldstein

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• The Finlay Donovan Series by Elle Cosimano with Mair Downing

  The Finlay Donovan series by Elle Cosimano follows a witty, overworked single mom and novelist who accidentally becomes entangled in real-life crime while trying to meet her writing deadlines. Blending humor, suspense, and heart, the series delivers a fast-paced mix of murder, motherhood, and unexpected friendship.A little bit about this week's (returning) guest, Mair Downing.Mair transitioned into real estate from a Fortune 200 company because she wanted a career where she could make a real difference in people’s lives. Whether working with buyers, sellers, or investors—helping clients right-size or find that perfect river getaway—she believes in the energy that comes from realizing goals are within reach. And with Mair’s guidance, they are.FREE TIMEWhen Mair isn’t showing homes or preparing listings, she’s cheering on her teen daughters in their various activities—soccer, volleyball, and basketball—or snuggling with her Havanese, Odie (and, of course, her husband, too!). She loves to travel, enjoy great food, and soak in all that life has to offer. Check up her "What's Up Wednesday series on Instagram: @obsessedwithhomes For quiet moments, she finds peace sitting on a dock, watching the water glimmer with a good book. Favorite right now: Black Phone by Joe HillDeath by Chocolate Cocktail - we recorded this episode on Día De Los Muertos, also as the book titles and story contents often involve a little murder, we knew we needed a “deadly” cocktail!Servings: 1Ingredients¾ oz vodka ¾ oz Bailey’s Irish Cream ¾ oz dark crème de cacao ¼ cup chocolate ice cream½ cup iceChocolate shavings, for garnishInstructionsCombine the vodka, Bailey’s, dark crème de cacao, chocolate ice cream, and ice in a blender.Blend until smooth.Pour into a chilled wine glass.Garnish with chocolate shavings and enjoy!In this EpisodeDITL Merch is now out! Please considering one of these adorable items to support the show.Barbara Streisand films Funny Girl and What’s Up DocDrawing Hands by MC EscherBlack Phone by Joe HillBrave New World by Aldous HuxleyPushcart PrizeO. Henry Award

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• The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey with Ally Kirkpatrick

  I’m so excited to share the audio from my very first live recording, held on October 28 at M.M.LaFleur Georgetown. I had the pleasure of interviewing Ally Kirkpatrick, owner of Old Town Books, about The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating a story that deeply influenced her decision to open her bookstore.A huge thank you to M.M.LaFleur and their wonderful Georgetown staff for being so kind, supportive, and making this event possible, and to Ally for being such a generous guest and collaborator.Since we recorded in an open space, I made a few audio adjustments to smooth out background noise. While it sounds crisp and clear overall, you might notice a few spots that move a bit quickly as I balanced the levels.BookThe Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey is a quiet, meditative memoir that finds wonder in the smallest details of life. As the bedridden author observes a snail living beside her, she discovers unexpected lessons about resilience, curiosity, and the beauty of slowing down.GuestAlly Kirkpatrick, an Alexandria native, founded Old Town Books in 2018 to create space for her love of reading, writing, and community. She also loves her family, shop dog Scout, and gardening. Ally’s current picks include happy-ending thrillers, journalist-written nonfiction, reimagined history, and beautiful gardening books. Recently her debut essay Gnawing was featured in Roxane Gays’s The Audacity, learn more about her writing at allykirkpatrick.com.Drink For our drink this week we had two options, the first was “The MM Spritz”, a white wine spritzer named in honor of our lovely host, MM LaFleur Georgetown. The second was a NA option, Herb & Orchid dealconized wine alternative, which was so tasty, and the connection to nature paired perfectly with the book.In this EpisodeCommunity Bookstore Brooklyn NYElisabeth Tova Bailey’s website - where you can listen to a snail eating Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott - check out the DITL episode on this book!The Governeses by Anne SerreGnawing by Ally Kirkpatrick on Roxane Gay’s The AudacityAlly Kirkpatrick’s YouTubeThe John Burroughs MedalFabled Ice Cream These Truths by Jill LeporeBooks by Lindsey Chervinsky, presidential historianYou Never Forget Your First by Alexis Coe

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