Prosecco N Prose | A Book Club

Send us a textWendy and Amy discuss a beloved middle-grade read, Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. We talked about friendship, grief and gender roles. We also explored how a book like this can help when tackling tough topics with young readers. Pop a cork to classics that never get old!Ingredients for Today's Slow Gin and Blackberry Sparkle Pairing:1 fl. oz. slow ginBlackberriesEnough chilled prosecco to fill the glass.Add the sloe gin to a tumbler along with a blackberry or two before topping it up with prosecco. Links from Show:Prosecco is Always the Answer from Summersdale PublishersTimeline of book banning on the Freedom to Read websiteAmerican Library Association List of Banned and Challenged BooksDiscussion questions for banned booksKatherine Paterson's website. 

Send us a textWendy and Amy discuss their first nonfiction read ever for the podcast, George M. Johnson's memoir All Boys Aren't Blue. We talk about the benefits of reading someone else's story and how much can be learned from them, as well as the value this book in particular brings to readers. Pop a cork to being open to others' truths!Ingredients for Today's Prosecco Cobbler Cocktail Pairing:1/2 tsp lemon juice1/2 tsp curacaoSlice of orangeEnough chilled Prosecco to fill the glass. We use Kirkland purple label. Half fill a goblet glass with crushed ice. Add the lemon juice, curacao, and orange slice. Stir, top with Prosecco, stir again and serve. Links from Show:Prosecco is Always the Answer from Summersdale PublishersTimeline of book banning on the Freedom to Read websiteAmerican Library Association List of Banned and Challenged BooksDiscussion questions for banned booksGeorge M. Johnson's website. 

Send us a textWendy and Amy take on heavy topics discussing Thirteen Reasons Why by J. Asher. We talk about story structure and symbology, as well as why such an impactful story would be banned. Pop a cork to books that can teach us to look and listen for ways to help and speak up for others.Thanks to Podcast Feedspot for helping us spread the word about our podcast!   Ingredients for Today's Black Velvet Cocktail Pairing:2 cans Guinness1 bottle Kirkland's ProseccoFill half champagne flutes with beer and then "VERY SLOWLY" top them with chilled prosecco. Links from Show:Prosecco is Always the Answer from Summersdale PublishersTimeline of book banning on the Freedom to Read websiteAmerican Library Association List of Banned and Challenged BooksDiscussion questions for banned booksNeed to talk? 1.800.SUICIDE | www.hopeline.com Jay Asher

Send us a textWendy and Amy discuss a high school staple, The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. We talk about the fourth musketeer, Holden as a contradiction, and ducks. Pop a cork to teen angst.  Ingredients for Today's D'Artagnan Cocktail Pairing:1 tsp. Armagnac (We subbed Remi Martin Cognac VSOP)1 tsp. orange liqueur (We used Grand Marnier)3 tsp. chilled orange juice1/2 tsp. simple syrupSlice of orangeEnough chilled prosecco to fill glass (Kirkland's DOCG | Purple Bottle)Links from Show:Prosecco is Always the Answer from Summersdale PublishersTimeline of book banning on the Freedom to Read websiteAmerican Library Association List of Banned and Challenged BooksDiscussion questions for banned booksThe 4th Musketeer - D'ArtagnanJ. D. Salinger

Send us a textWendy and Amy start off the season with one of the most banned and challenged books, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. We talk about reading difficult topics and what can be learned from that. We also dive into a bit of the history of Dick and Jane readers and their use in this novel. Pop a cork to incredible writing that tackles harsh realities.  Ingredients for Today's Cocktail Pairing:1/2 fl. oz. gin1/2 fl. oz. cherry brandy1/3 fl. oz. lemon juice4 cherries (Bada Bing Cherries, Tillman Farm Bottle of prosecco (Kirkland's DOCG | Purple Bottle)Links from Show:Prosecco is Always the Answer from Summersdale PublishersTimeline of book banning on the Freedom to Read websiteAmerican Library Association List of Banned and Challenged BooksDiscussion questions for banned booksDick and Jane link Dick and Jane (Dana Teach) scholarly articleToni Morrison Society link

Send us a textWendy and Amy are kicking off another season of books and bubbly! This season we'll be talking about banned books and pairing them with some bubbly cocktails. We've got everything we'll be reading and drinking here in the Prologue. Pop a cork to Season 7, banned books, banned booze!Ingredients for Today's Cocktail Pairing:from Prosecco is Always the Answer by Summersdale Publishing 10.5 oz. rhubarb, trimmed and finely chopped2.5 oz. sugar1 bottle of chilled prosecco (We use Costco's Kirkland brand)Season 7 Lineup: JAN - Prologue | Rhubarb BelliniFEB - Toni Morrison's Bluest Eye | Cherry Pop Prosecco CocktailMAR - J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye | D'artagnanAPR - J. Asher's 13 Reasons Why | Black VelvetMAY - George M. Johnson's All Boys Aren't Blue | Prosecco CobblerJUN - Katherine Paterson's Bridge to Terabithia | Sloe Gin & Blackberry SparkleJUL - Patricia McCormick's Sold | Frozen Lemon FizzerAUG - Angie Thomas' The Hate You Give | Watermelon Prosecco CocktailSEP - Judy Blume's Forever | Maple FizzOCT - Ellen Hopkins' Tricks | Peachy Prosecco CocktailNOV - John Green's Looking for Alaska | Spiced Pear ProseccoDEC - Epilogue | Ginger & Lime SparklerLinks from Show:Prosecco is Always the Answer from Summersdale PublishersNew mics: Shure SM57Timeline of book banning on the Freedom to Read websiteAmerican Library Association List of Banned and Challenged BooksDiscussion questions for banned books

Send us a textWendy and Amy wrap up the season with a rundown of the books and bubbly they couldn't stop talking about. We give our top three reads and sips of the season. And throw in a teaser for Season 7. Pop a cork to all the characters of Season 6!

Send us a textWendy and Amy find themselves on opposing sides when they discuss Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher. We talked about first loves, fate, couple tattoos, and power dynamics. Pop a cork to memories!  Book: Never Never by Colleen Hoover & Tarryn FisherBubbly: Zufini Prosecco This episode has a SPOILER SUMMARY.*Our apologies for the sound quality of this episode. We are having technical difficulties with our microphones. Season 7 will have new mics with the best sound quality. Thanks Josh and Ruffino. Hefty Character DiscussionSeveral Book Club Questions DiscussedCouple Tattoos LinkPodcast hostesses styled for social media posts this season by an independent cabi stylist.

Send us a textWendy and Amy lock themselves in for a thrilling discussion of The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz. We talk about characters that didn't exactly charm us, but a spooky house that did. We explore blood as a symbol and a bond. Pop a cork to dysfunctional relationships! Book: The Writing Retreat by Julia BartzBubbly: Torresella ProseccoThis episode has a SPOILER SUMMARY. Does this murder mystery meet Wendy's requirements? Hefty Character DiscussionSeveral Book Club Questions DiscussedPodcast hostesses styled for social media posts this season by an independent cabi stylist.

Send us a textWendy and Amy take a (literary) walk in some very high heels in Someone Else's Shoes by Jojo Moyes. We talk about female friendships, misogyny in the workplace, and just how much power clothes, and shoes, can have. These characters had us on an emotional roller coaster and we loved it. Pop a cork to a great pair of shoes! Book: Someone Else's Shoes by Jojo MoyesBubbly: Plumeria ProseccoThis episode has a SPOILER SUMMARY. Find out which co-host wears these horrifically beautiful pieces of deliciousness.  Hefty Character DiscussionSeveral Book Club Questions DiscussedPodcast hostesses styled for social media posts this season by an independent cabi stylist.