Of Books and Booze

Of Books and Booze

Welcome to Of Books and Booze — the premiere podcast examining the intersection of alcoholic refreshment and the written word. Our fully-scripted episodes are packed with analysis of the beverage in hand and the book(s) on the desk; interviews are focused on the guest and full of insights, thereby making the most of the listener's time. Cheers! Any copy-written, trademarked, or service-marked products on the website, or are mentioned in copy or recordings appear for educational purposes only and remain the property of their producers and registrees. Thank you.

Episodes

028 — DIY: The Wonderfully Weird History and Science of Masturbation, with Dr. Eric Sprankle

February 19, 2024 • 59 mins
Today, we welcome Dr. Eric Sprankle to discuss his forthcoming book, DIY: The Wonderfully Weird History and Science of Masturbation while trying the infamous 1980s cocktail, the Screaming Orgasm, and some refreshing One-Man-Mosh Pit IPA from the always-outstanding Surly Brewing Company.

For anyone with a delicate constitution, weak intellect, and/or a low threshold for moral outrage who hasn’t figured out that an episode on a book a...
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Episode 027 — Modernist Pizza

February 12, 2024 • 29 mins
Just in time to be late for National Pizza Day, we're taking a look at a few books on the world's favorite food while eating Chicago Deep Dish and polishing off more than a few cans of Two Brothers Prairie Path Golden Ale. Dig in and enjoy!
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Episode 026 — HollowEarth

January 18, 2024 • 31 mins
This episode looks at Hollow Earth history and mythology, its role in maritime lore, the cumulative effects of The Little Ice Age and The Year Without A Summer, and their impact on the search for a Northwest Passage — all while sipping La Fin Du Monde Belgian Triple. Proost!
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025 — Funk & Wagnalls New Standard Dictionary 1932

December 27, 2023 • 27 mins
The 1932 edition of the Funk and Wagnalls New Standard Dictionary is a fine example of form and function coalesced into one marvelous tome. Join us as we examine it while sipping a few fingers of Writer's Tears Irish Whiskey. Sláinte is táinte!
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024 — Why Did the Chicken Cross the World?

December 12, 2023 • 26 mins
It's Episode 24 and the crew is giving everybody the bird. Chicken — I say, chicken, that is! Today, we look at the history, comedy, tragedy, and commoditization of what has become the world's most versatile and necessary animal — including its legendary role in Italian winemaking — all while sipping the 2015 Nizzole Chianti Classico. Cin cin e alla tua salute!
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023 — The Giving Tree

November 6, 2023 • 21 mins
We're back! Our first show after a year-and-a-half looks at the children's book classic, The Giving Tree, while diving into the Daou Brothers' bold California red blend, Pessimist. Cheers!
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022 — Eggasaurus with author Jennifer Wagh

April 24, 2022 • 42 mins
Talking with author Jennifer Wagh about the writing craft, the importance of a good writers' group, and the publication of her first picture book, Eggasaurus! Jenny's celebrating with Veuve Clicquot Champagne while I'm polishing of a four-pack of Tooth & Claw lager by Chicago's own Off Color Brewing. Also, stay tuned in to learn how to enter to win a signed copy of Jenny's new book! Cheers!
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021 — The Great Airship Mystery of 1897

April 2, 2022 • 30 mins
Time for another episode of far-fetched facts lashed together with wine and wit. This time, it's a bottle of 2012 Le Cigar Volant by California's Bonny Doon Winery, medieval popes in the South of France, and Victorian-era UFOs zipping around the North American skies. Don't worry—thirty minutes from now, it'll all make perfect sense. Just another day's work for the Of Books and Booze crew. Need more? How about intro music by Brave C...
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020 — African American Comic Book Artists, Social Protest, and the Medium of Blackness

March 13, 2022 • 30 mins
Wrapping up African–American History Month by looking at five books on the contributions to comics and sequential art narrative by Black creators, as well as the growing scholarship around the topic, while sipping another custom cocktail made with Chicago's own PlayPen Vodka. Cheers!
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019 — African American Authors with Kathleen March

February 12, 2022 • 42 mins
hat explore the African-American experience beyond slavery and civil rights. Drinks on hand include Moor's Session Ale and Chaos Theory Proprietary Red Blend from Brown Estate — Napa Valley's only Black-Owned winery!
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018 — US Bicycle Corps 1896–1897

February 8, 2022 • 28 mins
Celebrating Black History Month with a look at the U.S. Bicycle Corps of 1896 and 1897 while sipping Moor’s Session Ale — a crisp IPA produced by Chicago’s Black-Owned beer company, the Moor’s Brewing Company. Cheers!
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017 — COVID-19 with Kathleen March

January 25, 2022 • 45 mins
Two shots and a booster: The prescription for fighting COVID-19 and getting through this episode.

The Book Goddess, Kathleen March, discusses titles that helped her battle the Delta variant while we both take our medicine — 1.75 ounces at a time. Toss 'em back and mask up!
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016 — That's Disgusting! That's Mean! That's Dangerous!

December 29, 2021 • 20 mins
Digging into a trio of exceptionally moral picture books while facing down the horror of a local drinking tradition: A shot of Jeppson's Malört followed by a gulp of Old Style — AKA, "The Chicago Handshake."
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015 — The Horror And The Horrible: Disturbing Stories Written and Read by Bradley James Weber

October 30, 2021 • 37 mins
Sipping the classic White Russian while reading a pair of horror stories written by yours truly — "The Monster on the Sidewalk," and the award-winning, "Lorraine and the Alligator." Cheers!
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014 — Creepy Books with Kathleen March

October 19, 2021 • 42 mins
Samhain, Halloween, and the Day of the Dead are upon us again. Time for Pumpkin Ale, Petite Syrah, and books that put a chill in your spine with our very special guest, Kathleen March! Slàinte and Salud!
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014a - Discussing non-binary characters

October 19, 2021 • 6 mins
While discussing Pet, the conversation veered into how authors present non-binary characters; pronoun usage; clarity in narrative; and the roles and responsibilities of authors, editors, and readers in negotiating this space.
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014b - Firekeeper's Daughter

October 19, 2021 • 2 mins
At one point, Kathleen mentioned debut authors which took us into a two-minute discussion of one of her favorite books, Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
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013 — Nerve - Adventures in the Science of Fear

September 24, 2021 • 26 mins
Stirring up a brand-new mystery drink while discussing fears, phobias, and how we can learn to stop freaking ourselves out. Cheers!
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012 — The Best Books I've Never Read

June 6, 2021 • 36 mins
Making several of the very tasty gin-based Bramble cocktail while talking about the magic of audiobooks. Salute!
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011 — Origins of the Ku Klux Klan (Part II)

April 28, 2021 • 40 mins
Part Two of Two. Wrapping up our intensive look at the post-Civil War origins of the Ku Klux Klan and finishing the last of the Yellow Belly Imperial Stout.
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