In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Daniel Mason’s 2023 novel North Woods. Topics include apple puns, the intricacies of Vermont maple syrup grading, beetle sex, geeking out about the writing, Taylor’s audiobook experience, the haunting magic of New England, creepy murder twins, gay tragedy, ghost sex, and the beautiful, hopeful ending. Plus, Kayla introduces a new song in her Taylor Swift parody oeuvre, talks about the food of the summer, and finally informs Taylor about her latest purchase.

This week’s drink: Applejack Rabbit via Serious Eats

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 oz Laird's Bonded Apple Brandy
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 oz fresh orange juice
• 1/2 oz Grade B Maple Syrup

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Add apple brandy, lemon juice, orange juice, and maple syrup to a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake until well chilled, about 15 seconds, and strain into a chilled coupe.

Current/recommended reads, links, etc.:

Here by Richard McGuire

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

Everything is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection by John Green

The Country Under Heaven by Frederic S. Durbin

Smuggler’s Cove tiki bar

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Join us next time as we read Oracle by Thomas Olde Heuvelt