Sunni Battin
County Reporter
Finding the right wine is just like picking the nearly perfect book and it almost always comes down to one question: What am I in the mood for?
Whether your preference is eBooks, audiobooks, or the book in your hand, there is something for everyone. As well, no matter if are a novice or advanced, whether your wine tastes veer towards seasonal, red, or white, sparkling or non, there are a variety of suggestions to consider.
Some of the great books mentioned below are listed via the Boonslick Regional Library’s catalog (and it’s branches). As for the wine, selection was made to match the book and wine type. Specific wine suggestions were also made that can be found via Kansas City on a day or weekend trip or visit or perhaps special ordering.
For those who love a great mystery, authors James Patterson and Janet Evanovich are always good standards to keep in mind. If you want a real page turner, consider checking out, “We Were Never Here” by Andrea Bartz. A thriller about a backpacking trip that goes all kinds of wrong.
Add a great Pinot Noir or Red Blend to have the ultimate experience. Some favorite Pinot Noir wines include Left Coast, Picket Fences, or Planet Oregon. A stellar Red Blend if you are feeling adventurous is Petalos, a Spanish wine, that is a little heavier than a Pinot Noir but not quite as bold as a Cabernet Sauvignon.
On the lighter side, “People I Want To Punch in the Throat,” by Jen Mann could be the laugh-out-loud release you’ve been waiting for. The humor is sharp and based on Mann’s real life. Currently, there are three books in that series:
“People I Want To Punch in the Throat: Competitive Crafters, Drop-off Despots, and Other Suburban Scourges,” “Spending the Holidays With People I Want To Punch in the Throat: Yuletide Yahoos, Ho-Ho Humblebraggers, and Other Seasonal Scourges,” and “Working With People I Want to Punch in the Throat.” The last two offerings are not carried by the library but perhaps could be requested through interlibrary loan.
When reading humorous material, light-bodied wine like a Pinot Grigio can go a long way. A great French, affordable dry white wine, suitable for a LOL read, called La Chapelle du Bastion Picpoul is a crowd-pleaser with book clubs and with Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc drinkers. Also, the sparkling Cune, a Cava Brut, with hints of apple and good acidity is a terrific summer treat (and excellent for a mimosa).
If you are feeling a little nostalgic, “The Reading Promise: My Father and the Books We Shared” by Alice Ozma is a journey down memory lane. Her father reads books to her from childhood until she leaves for colllege and Ozma recounts the lessons learned along the way. The library carries this item as a downloadable audiobook. Get your favorite chillable red and enjoy a fan favorite. Las Jaras Glou Glou is a popular chillable red among wine-lovers.
Thinking of more of a challenge rather than an escape? Wanting to get deeper? Take a psychology plunge with anything by Brene’ Brown, a researcher and professor, whose 2010 Ted Talk, on “The Power of Vulnerability,” struck a chord with millions. Her latest book, “Atlas of the Heart,” examines the 87 emotions and experiences that characterize us all. If you are going seriously heavy, such books call for a
Cabernet Sauvignon. One inexpensive one to start out with is named the Introvert. A good Washington State Cab such as Secret Squirrel or a Cab Franc which sits between a Merlot and a Cab, like Somos are always phenomenal choices.
Regardless of your taste in wine or books, there is always room for both.
