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Bibulate Like A Bibliophile: Book Pairings for Your Favorite Wines

 

For those of you who haven’t experienced the pleasure of wine and books, wine is the perfect accessory to your reading time. Not only do you look classy, you get a good buzz going while the worlds you read come to life before your eyes. If you don’t believe me, just try it the next time you get ready to unwind with a good book.

Now the question is: which wine goes with which book? Or vice versa? To give you an idea of merging flavors with genre/tone/style, here is a list of some excellent books and the wines that would pair beautifully with them. Commençons!

Posted by Tara Sim

Writers Give Us 18 Reasons Why Coffee Is the Greatest Drink Since Alcohol

Most of couldn't face a morning–or afternoon, for that matter–without a cup of liquid energy to keep us going. Did your favorite writer feel the same way? Here are some great coffee quotes from famous authors.

Posted by Natasha Brandstatter

Worst-Case Wednesday: How to Survive a Wine Spill Emergency

You’re on that important date, right? You wanna impress, but in the middle of discussing Emily Brontë, you spill red wine. All. Over. Yourself. The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Dating and Sex shows you how to survive a fashion emergency.

Posted by Christina Schillaci

Sneak Peek & Giveaway: Summer Cocktails by Maria Del Mar Sacasa and Tara Striano

In November of 2013, Quirk published Winter Cocktails, the debut cookbook from the uber talented duo of Maria Del Mar Sacasa and Tara Striano. Fast forward to 2015, and we're really thrilled to be publishing their followup. Summer Cocktails!

Full of drinks for warm sunny days and tasty snacks perfect for nibbling on the porch, it's a really fun book that will look PERFECT next to your copy of Winter Cocktails on the bookshelf. And I'm happy to give you all a little sneak peek at the book! 

First, here's a note from the book's editor, Tiffany Hill (@tiffanylhill):

I know, I know, it's 12 degrees outside and snowing. Shhh, let's talk about summer. When I got my advance copy of Maria del Mar Sacasa's Summer Cocktails, I knew there was only one proper way to celebrate: with a Salty Lime Soda. It's as good as it looks in Tara Striano's gorgeous cover photo–cool, bright, and refreshing. It would be perfect at a summer cocktail party. (And it wasn't bad in February.)

My favorite part of Summer Cocktails, though, is the collection of infusions, shrubs, and syrups featuring summer fruits and herbs. Picture a cocktail made with Rhubarb Syrup straight out of your garden. That snow will start melting any day now!

The book comes out in April! For now, enjoy some pics, and enter the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win one! You can also enter by telling us about your favorite summer cocktail in the comments. Three people will win! 

Interested in a review copy for your blog? Email Suzanne ([email protected]). 

Posted by Eric Smith

This Month on BookLikes: Nick & Tesla, Manhattan Mayhem, Find Momo, & More!

I don't think we've ever had a BookLikes giveaway month this epic before. Seriously. So many books. Too many books? Possibly. 

Here's what you can enter to win on BookLikes this month. 

Posted by Eric Smith

How to Tuesday: How to Make Homemade Butter Beer

 
This year for Oktoberfest, why not whip up a batch of everyone's favorite wizarding brew? Butterbeer!
 
According to the Harry Potter books Butterbeer comes in two varieties, cold & bottled or steaming hot in tankards. I've concocted both recipes to share with you here. 🙂
 
The cold variety of Butterbeer (pictured above) is very easy.
 
You'll need…
 
– Bottle of Cream Soda
– English Toffee Flavored Syrup
– Printed Butterbeer Labels
– Transparent Tape
 
First, download these "one size fits most" Butterbeer bottle labels. Print & cut out labels.
 
Pour 2 tsp toffee syrup into the bottle & stir carefully (stirring causes bubbles & you don't want to lose all the fizz.)
 
Tape on the labels after flavoring (so you don't drip on it), serve & enjoy!
 
 
Warm Butterbeer is what I remember most from the books. This buttery warm beverage is perfect for the crisp fall weather and will make you feel like you're in Hogsmeade!
 
You'll need…
 
– Whole Milk
– 1/2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
– English Toffee Flavored Syrup
– 3 Tbsp Brown Sugar
– 1/2 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
– 1 Tbsp Sugar
– Whisk 
– Bowl (or Stand Mixer)
– Medium Saucepan
 
First we'll make the butterbeer flavored whipping cream. Whisk together sugar & whipping cream. (I used a stand mixer, which made this step much easier.) When the texture looks fluffy add 1 tsp toffee flavored syrup. Mix again.
 
On the stove melt 1/2 tbsp butter in a saucepan on medium heat. Add milk & brown sugar. Stir with whisk constantly to keep milk from scalding. (Be sure not to use a metal whisk in a nonstick pan or you will scratch off all the nonstick coating.) When the milk begins to steam take it off the heat and add 2 tbsp toffee syrup. Stir with whisk and pour into tankard. Add a bit of whipped cream for the frothy "head" and serve.
 
And if you want to print your own labels, we've got these for you. Just right click and save as, to get the full, high rez printable version! 
 
 
What's your favorite fictional brew? Let us know in comments.
 
And be sure to tweet us a photo if you try this recipe out!
 

Sarah Shotts is a blogger, vlogger, and “nerdlywed.” Recently married, she blogs about living a nerdy life as a newlywed on her blog. She also vlogs about all things geeky on the Swot Sisters Youtube channel she created with her sister Mary. When she’s not making stuff on the internet she’s busy teaching theatre classes and doing wedding photography and video.
 

Posted by Sarah Shotts