Confession: When I see a book added to a banned book list, I feel this irresistible urge to add it to my TBR. What can I say, I'm a rebel. ;)
To celebrate banned books week this year I've picked out 6 banned books that I simply must read. Also a bonus, I've paired them with mocktails because nothing enhances my reading experience better than a lovely beverage. Well, except chocolates. Cheesecake. And Pizza. Oh well, you get the idea.
Enjoy the pairings!
o1) The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian: Sherman Alexie
“I grabbed my book and opened it up. I wanted to smell it. Heck, I wanted to kiss it. Yes, kiss it. That's right, I am a book kisser. Maybe that's kind of perverted or maybe it's just romantic and highly intelligent.”
Why I need to read it: Besides the fact that everyone seems to LOVE it? Junior is a book kisser and he's 'rock hard' for books - I mean, how can I resist this?
So for this obviously amazing book I picked Hocus Pocus Fizz. This rich and decadent mocktail looks as fabulous as the novel. Get the recipe here.
02) Thirteen Reasons Why: Jay Asher
“No one knows for certain how much impact they have on the lives of other people. Oftentimes, we have no clue. Yet we push it just the same.”
Why I need it: Have you ever wondered how your actions, big or small have an effect on another person's life? Asher promises to take you on an unforgettable journey that will make you question the consequences of your actions. And of course, any book that promises tears is sure to get on my TBR pile!
This super intense book tackles some pretty uncomfortable issues so it might leave you in a daze. For this I picked a Ginger Basil Grapefruit Spritzer - The basil and grapefruit concoction promises to awaken your senses. Get the recipe here.
03) What My Mother Doesn't Know: Sonya Sones
“Culture Clash
Dylan says
when I meet his mother today
I shouldn't mention
that I'm Jewish.
I say
okay, but can I
tell her about
the HIV postive thing?
He gives me a look.
I give him one back”
Why I need it: I got hooked on verse novels after I was introduced to Ellen Hopkins. Whereas Hopkins's books are on the darker side, Sones's verse novel appear to be on the lighter side.
For this fun and sweet read I picked Coconut Lavender Lemonade Recipe to match the book's quirky personality. Get the recipe here.
04) To Kill a Mockingbird: Harper Lee
“Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.”
Why I need it: For some reason this book was not 'required reading' at school instead we trudged through Macbeth (which almost made me loathe Shakespeare). And for this I'm glad because now that I'm not 'required' to read it so I can enjoy it better.
For a classic as thought provoking as this I picked Millionaire Sour, a refreshing citrus-y beverage that reminds me of all things Southern for some reason. Get the recipe here.
05) The Glass Castle: Jeannette Walls
“Life is a drama full of tragedy and comedy. You should learn to enjoy the comic episodes a little more.”
Why I need it: A memoir that shows the strangeness of love - Reviewers have praised Walls for telling her story in way that is neither self indulgent nor self-pitying even though she has every right to do so. A woman who has emerged resilient despite her tough childhood? GIMME.
A potion of passion fruit, lime and cider seems to fit this part heartbreaking, part inspiring read. Get the recipe for Sparkling Cider New Year’s Eve Mocktails here.
06) The Catcher in the Rye: J.D. Salinger
“What really knocks me out is a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn't happen much, though.”
Why I need it: People either have a burn-it-with-fire sorta hatred for this one or love it enough to call it one of America's greatest classics. For me, the cynical adolescent can either go spectacularly well or horribly wrong. There's only one way to find out where this book falls, right?
For a novel as unique as this, I picked Dirty Dr. Pepper. Your favorite soda, coconut syrup and a squeeze of fresh lime - Sounds heavenly, yeah? Get the recipe here.
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Have you read any of these books?
Do you fancy yourself as an amateur mixologist?
I would love your banned book recommendations! :)
Out of all of those books I have only read one which is Thirteen Reasons Why, I read it a few years ago and really found it quite a dark book at times, but one that made me think at the time. I definitely felt when I read it I connected, but I never realised it made it onto a kind of 'banned books' list.. I may have to check out 'banned books' because personally I agree about something appealing when you are told you can't read it. And I definitely need to read To Kill a Mockingbird at some point soon!
ReplyDeleteOoh mixology sounds so fun! I'll definitely look into it sometime soon now... (hah, I would have said immediately, but..exams...) To Kill a Mockingbird and The Catcher in the Rye are personal favourites (thankfully, both of them were not required reading!)...and I look forward to reading the first book and Thirteen Reasons Why (sad books get me going too...)
ReplyDeleteI've read a couple of these books and I'd like to read more banned book titles, it's always fascinating to see what all the fuss is about lol.
ReplyDeleteI've read a few of these, and the pairings seem pretty perfect. Love this idea!
ReplyDeleteKim @ YA Asylum
I do love banned books. Particularly when most are banned for ridiculous reasons. *sigh* I've always loved To Kill a Mockingbird! FAVOURITE book and the movie is completely gold too. :) I'm probably the only person in the world who really disliked 13 Reasons Why, but hey. I'm a weirdo sometimes. XD
ReplyDeleteLove this post. I've read To Kill a Mockingbird and LOVED it and read Catcher in the Rye and HATED it lol so I'm definitely adding all the rest to my TBR and mixing those drinks!
ReplyDeleteI've read To Kill a Mockingbird (it's a title that's part of my schooling system :O) and The Catcher in the Rye and I must say, I'm confused as to why they're banned in the first place. They're fabulous works of literature! Now I'm a little curious about the rest of the books on this list. Perhaps I should add them to my never ending TBR xD
ReplyDeleteJess @ MyReadingDress
I fancy myself an amateur mixologist (or something along those lines) and I love your pairings! I've read A Catcher in the Rye earlier this year, and was kinda meh about it ... which coincidentally is how I feel about Dr. Pepper :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea of mixing books with drinks!It's really cool.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of the books mentioned above,but they make me curious since they're banned:)
Books and mocktails, I love it! And hangs head in shame, I haven't read any of these. But most are on my TBR so I'll hopefully get to them some day, some year! And Hocus Pocus Fizz looks so pretty, I NEED one or four! :)
ReplyDeleteActually no, on second glance I see one I've read - To Kill A Mockingbird. I read it in college and loved it.
ReplyDeleteCheers Nuz :)