Book
Ideas from Vanessa Grillone
GONE GIRL BY GILLIAN FLYNN I’d be extremely surprised if you hadn’t heard of this book, or the film based on it. Gone Girl is one of the most creepy, jarring, and fascinating novels I have ever read. It begins on the fifth wedding anniversary of Nick and Amy Dune. As presents are wrapped and reservations are made, Amy disappears. Through a series of flashbacks from his wife’s diary the reader becomes engrossed in Amy’s perfectionism and the troubles in their marriage. The question is, did Nick kill his wife? If he didn’t, where is she? Get ready to for a freaky novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
THE STORIED LIFE OF A.J. FIKRY BY GABRIELLE ZEVIN I reviewed this novel on my blog in May of this year and screeched to anyone who would listen that it’s the best book I’ve ever read!!!!! A.J. Fikry lost everything, his wife, sales at the bookstore he and his wife owned, and his rare collection of Poe’s poems *which was stolen from his house. He is alone, isolated, and drinks to have visions of his dead wife and then black out. Just when he’s about to sink lower than he ever has before, this bitter bookstore owner gets a package. A package that will change the life he lived and the life he thought he’d have. I can’t say much more about this book (plot-wise) because I don’t want to ruin your experience with it. This novel has the ability to remind every avid reader and book lover why they love books so much. It says so much about life and love and basic human needs. I’ll be the first to admit that it brought me to tears.
US CONDUCTORS BY SEAN MICHAELS WINNER 2014 – SCOTIABANK GILLER PRIZE Although I have yet to read this book, it is definitely on my Christmas Wish-List. Us Conductors is a Literary Fiction novel inspired by the true life of Lev Termen — Russian Scientist, spy, and create of the theremin. Written in a series of letters and flashbacks, the reader follows Lev Termen from New York in the 30’s to the scientific camps of the Soviet Union. Lev is a prisoner aboard a ship headed to the Soviet and is writing a letter to his one true love. And so the book goes on questioning unrequited love and how it can keep a person alive.
Beer
Ideas from Jacquelyn Mayo
GRAPEFRUIT RADLER - THE WATERLOO BREWING COMPANY This small-batch brewed beer is a mix of real Grapefruit juice and beer. This beer is originally from Germany and is brewed to its traditional style. At 3.1% alcohol, this beer has the aroma of grapefruit and has a citrusy taste. The beer compliments the grapefruit juice for it calms down the strong flavor of the grapefruit, making a nice refreshing beer!
CLASSIC PILSNER - THE WATERLOO BREWING COMPANY This Pilsner is a mildly hopped classic style pilsner at 5% alcohol. This beer is known for its hoppy taste, but sweet finish. The Pilsner gives a stronger taste then most beers without the bitter-hoppy finish. This beer is smooth and great to drink with any foods.