What do you think?
Rate this book
Literary Libations: What to Drink with What You Read
Recommended as a holiday gift for wine lovers by The Mail Tribune !
“This delightful hard-cover volume is light as the bubbles in Crémant de Bourgogne, bright with a wordsmith’s insights and generously flavored with humor. One-page descriptions of what wine, brew, or cocktail goes best with a renowned book (they range from Heart of Darkness /Petite Syrah to A Confederacy of Dunces /Budweiser) are as un-put-downable as potato chips.”
Want to know what to drink with all your favorite books?
A bubbly, boozy French 75 with The Great Gatsby . A luscious Chocolatini with Bridget Jones's Diary . Old vine California Zinfandel with The Grapes of Wrath . Lager (by the pitcher, from your local dive) with Fight Club . Refreshing citrus shandy with Their Eyes Were Watching God . And don't you dare open Dracula without a Bloody Mary near at hand!
Now book lovers everywhere can raise the perfect toast to Shakespeare, Austen, Kerouac, Woolf, and more. With drink pairing recommendations for nearly 200 classic and contemporary works of fiction, including non-alcoholic pairings for kids and young adult books, Literary Libations is a necessary addition to bookshelves and bar tops everywhere.
"Insightful, beautifully written, and [full of] dazzling watercolor illustrations." --Taylor Zajonc, author of The Maw
“This delightful hard-cover volume is light as the bubbles in Crémant de Bourgogne, bright with a wordsmith’s insights and generously flavored with humor. One-page descriptions of what wine, brew, or cocktail goes best with a renowned book (they range from Heart of Darkness /Petite Syrah to A Confederacy of Dunces /Budweiser) are as un-put-downable as potato chips.”
Want to know what to drink with all your favorite books?
A bubbly, boozy French 75 with The Great Gatsby . A luscious Chocolatini with Bridget Jones's Diary . Old vine California Zinfandel with The Grapes of Wrath . Lager (by the pitcher, from your local dive) with Fight Club . Refreshing citrus shandy with Their Eyes Were Watching God . And don't you dare open Dracula without a Bloody Mary near at hand!
Now book lovers everywhere can raise the perfect toast to Shakespeare, Austen, Kerouac, Woolf, and more. With drink pairing recommendations for nearly 200 classic and contemporary works of fiction, including non-alcoholic pairings for kids and young adult books, Literary Libations is a necessary addition to bookshelves and bar tops everywhere.
"Insightful, beautifully written, and [full of] dazzling watercolor illustrations." --Taylor Zajonc, author of The Maw
224 pages, Hardcover
Published September 4, 2018
2 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Amira K. Makansi
4 books18 followersAmira K. Makansi is the author of THE PATHS BETWEEN THE STARS, a young adult science fiction-fantasy novel, LITERARY LIBATIONS: What to Drink With What You Read, an informal guide to pairing great drinks with famous books, and a co-author of the Seeds trilogy (THE SOWING, THE REAPING, and THE HARVEST).
Amira graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in history and began pursuing a career in wine. She spent her first few years climbing around stacks of wine barrels and hoeing weeds out of vineyards in France. She got into writing accidentally, when her mother had a crazy dream and wanted to turn it into a book. That book became THE SOWING, the first book in the young adult dystopian SEEDS series, which has been optioned for a Hollywood production. THE PATHS BETWEEN THE STARS is her fifth book, and her second solo book. When not writing, Amira spends her days hiking, running, skiing, and rafting through the wilds of Oregon with her dog, Alder.
Amira graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in history and began pursuing a career in wine. She spent her first few years climbing around stacks of wine barrels and hoeing weeds out of vineyards in France. She got into writing accidentally, when her mother had a crazy dream and wanted to turn it into a book. That book became THE SOWING, the first book in the young adult dystopian SEEDS series, which has been optioned for a Hollywood production. THE PATHS BETWEEN THE STARS is her fifth book, and her second solo book. When not writing, Amira spends her days hiking, running, skiing, and rafting through the wilds of Oregon with her dog, Alder.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 18, 2018
What a fun book! This book made me want to go back and reread all the classics I was assigned in English Lit - and hit up the library for those I haven't read. Makansi has great insights into each of the books she reviews along with anecdotes for the drink pairings with each entry. This book will definitely be on my Christmas gift giving list.
March 11, 2019
**DISCLOSURE: The author and I follow each other on Twitter, and have engaged in several friendly conversations there since before she conceived of this book.**
Supposedly, FDR gave his son the following advice about giving an effective speech: "Be sincere. Be Brief. Be seated."
The gist of this approach applies to books as well, and Literary Libations is a prime example.
I read this book in about five days due to it's entertaining, breezy nature. Breezy, but by no means lacking in substance. Each "essay" if you will is indeed both brief and sincere, offering enough history and opinion on each book/drink to keep it personal, but not so much as to make it academic.
Indeed, in other hands I am sure each pairing description could (and would) have been blown up into a 5-10 page dissertation. Literature and alcohol are two topics that tend to bring out much arrogant gasbaggery, and this book wins by not doing so.
Supposedly, FDR gave his son the following advice about giving an effective speech: "Be sincere. Be Brief. Be seated."
The gist of this approach applies to books as well, and Literary Libations is a prime example.
I read this book in about five days due to it's entertaining, breezy nature. Breezy, but by no means lacking in substance. Each "essay" if you will is indeed both brief and sincere, offering enough history and opinion on each book/drink to keep it personal, but not so much as to make it academic.
Indeed, in other hands I am sure each pairing description could (and would) have been blown up into a 5-10 page dissertation. Literature and alcohol are two topics that tend to bring out much arrogant gasbaggery, and this book wins by not doing so.
September 18, 2018
Ever wonder what would pair with Moby Dick? Catch-22? Frankenstein? Wonder no longer, the author has transcended what would have been a gimmicky concept in lesser hands into a loving celebration of spirits and classics. It's a new way to enjoy clever drinks and well-read novels or newly-discovered favorites. It's insightful, beautifully written and I was pleasantly surprised by dazzling watercolor illustrations that accompany many of the standout recipes. This book will end up on a christmas present idea list for more than a few friends!
July 3, 2023
This made me laugh out loud, want to try new drinks, and reread old favorites! Love the author’s stance on both alcohol and reading
November 14, 2018
Nice selection of classic and contemporary works paired with a storied alcoholic beverage. To Kill a Mockingbird matched up with muscadine wine - lovely.
December 20, 2018
Amira Makanzi’s new book is awesome! Literary Libations has SO many great books & booze pairings. This book is the perfect catalyst to finally get me to check some classic works of fiction off my reading bucket list.
Here are four pairings I intend to try in 2019: War and Peace w/ Imperial Russian Stout, Blood Meridian w/ Whiskey, American Gods w/ Jack Daniels and Coffee, and Moby Dick w/ Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
There’s even a non-alcoholic section for children’s books. I can’t wait to read Goodnight Moon w/ Hot Cocoa and marshmallows with my infant son!
5 stars, a must-read for anyone who loves books & booze.
Here are four pairings I intend to try in 2019: War and Peace w/ Imperial Russian Stout, Blood Meridian w/ Whiskey, American Gods w/ Jack Daniels and Coffee, and Moby Dick w/ Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
There’s even a non-alcoholic section for children’s books. I can’t wait to read Goodnight Moon w/ Hot Cocoa and marshmallows with my infant son!
5 stars, a must-read for anyone who loves books & booze.
January 3, 2019
I sipped in whatever was at hand as I sampled this delightful book, genre by genre. I have a lot of drinking-and pairing!- to do! Amira Makansi combines two of my passions into one volume. I only wish I had had the insight, and expertise, to write it myself!
April 29, 2020
Absolutely fun read! Great gift idea!
Not only do you get to pair a fun beverage with a great work of art, but the author does so in a very fun story like manner! Please pace yourself as you work your way through the book!
Not only do you get to pair a fun beverage with a great work of art, but the author does so in a very fun story like manner! Please pace yourself as you work your way through the book!
January 18, 2023
I was hoping it would be more original recipes, but it’s mostly just what it says on the cover: drink pairings. Lots of wines. Lots of beers. Literally water in one case. It was fine and a lot of the pairings are cute/punny, but eh.
November 28, 2018
Charming!
August 2, 2019
Fun read with some interesting pairings.
December 29, 2019
Just a fun book for readers. You may even come up with a recipe or two to try.
February 7, 2021
I love the idea!
January 27, 2022
Charming small volume sussing out the ultimate drink for classic books...warning- there is lots of wine.
Neat ideas for book clubs.
Neat ideas for book clubs.
February 28, 2022
In her book, LITERARY LIBATIONS: What to Drink With What You Read, Amira Makansi has pairing recommendations for more than 150 of some of the greatest works of literature written. Amira’s literary boozy adventure is an ideal combination of satisfying drinks and literary classics, especially if you’re looking to spice up that reading circle with something a little more ‘buzz’ worthy.
I chose this title for a previous book club because I believe that classic literature is essential to weave into any book club. Sometimes we get the notion that they are stuffy and pretentious, but classics can be just as fun as some contemporary reads and often spark deeply engaging conversations. Literary Libations is a perfect springboard book that includes a comprehensive list of classic books that will have you making some room on your wine rack for a few new bottles and have you breaking out your favorite cocktail shaker to whip up some corresponding cocktails to pair with these famous works of literature.
Defiantly a perfect read for anyone who loves classic novels and delicious Libations.
I chose this title for a previous book club because I believe that classic literature is essential to weave into any book club. Sometimes we get the notion that they are stuffy and pretentious, but classics can be just as fun as some contemporary reads and often spark deeply engaging conversations. Literary Libations is a perfect springboard book that includes a comprehensive list of classic books that will have you making some room on your wine rack for a few new bottles and have you breaking out your favorite cocktail shaker to whip up some corresponding cocktails to pair with these famous works of literature.
Defiantly a perfect read for anyone who loves classic novels and delicious Libations.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews