I saw a really great article on the Washington Post on “the best new thrillers” and it includes “the typical protagonist tipple“. I had to look up the word and the definition of tipple, because I had no idea what it means…

A tippleis an alcoholic drink! I should know that, because I enjoy alcoholic drinks all the time now and then.

So, in honor of that article, here’s my take on what I’ve been reading lately, and the perfect drink to compliment each book (and why):

Woman in the Window by AJ Finn

What to Drink: Merlot

 

Publish Date: January 2, 2018

Anna Fox lives alone—a recluse in her New York City home, unable to venture outside. She spends her days and nights drinking merlot, popping powerful uppers/downers/sleeping pills, watching classic mystery movies, and spying on her neighbors with her Nikon camera on zoom. Then the Russells move into the house across the way: a father, a mother, their teenage son. The perfect family. But when Anna, gazing out her window one night, and sees a horrible crime… but did she really? Or did the alcohol and pills make her imagine this?

Merlot is the perfect accompaniment to this book in honor of Anna Fox’s favorite drink. Merlot is her favorite because she drinks this from the time that she wakes up until the time that she passes out. Cheers!

The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian

What to Drink: Stoli

 

Publish Date: March 13, 2018

Poor Cassie Bowden. All this attractive flight attendant wanted was a good time, great cocktails, and hot date night. Instead, she wakes up in a ritzy Dubai hotel room with blood in her hair and a dead date. She does what many people would do in that situation – she FREAKS OUT and RUNS! This book has so many glam locations – Dubai, New York, Paris, Rome, Russia  – and you’ll get an inside peek into the wild, crazy, and fun life of a flight attendant in this fast paced thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Have shots of Stoli while reading this book. Our main character Cassie was doing shots of this on that fateful evening when her date Alex was killed. It probably contributed to her blackout, so just be cautious because Stoli does go down easy. Cassie can attest to this.

All the Beautiful Lies by Peter Swanson

What to Drink: Gin & Tonic

 

Publish Date: April 3, 2018

Harry Ackerson was days away from college graduation when his stepmother Alice tells him of his father Bill’s death. Devastated, Harry returns to his father’s home in Maine. There, he and Alice try to uncover what happened to his father. Interestingly, Alice is only 13 years older than Harry, and immediately attaches to him. Harry also meets a mysterious young woman named Grace McGowan. Though she claims to be new to the area, Harry begins to suspect that Grace knew his father Bill and it becomes obvious that Grace was close to Bill. The story is told in Then and Now perspectives, with Alice’s Then and Harry’s Now. This twisted tale about taboo relationships and murder is fast paced and not for the faint of heart. I can’t wait to share my review with you closer to the publish date!

Bill’s favorite drink is Gin & Tonic, so that’s why I think a G&T would be perfect to drink while reading this book. Plus, you’ll need it when you read about all of these crazy people hooking up with step family members.

Other People’s Houses by Abbi Waxman

What to Drink: Coffee

 

Publish Date: April 3, 2018

The story revolves around 4 families that live on the same block. This funny and touching novel explores the themes of marriage, infidelity, family, midlife struggles, parenting,  friendship, and the challenges of daily life. It reminds us that each house on a street can represent a whole different universe because of the people living there, and you never really know what happens behind closed doors. Abbi Waxman takes mundane daily activities and injects humor into situations where it’s least expected. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will laugh again at this hilarious and entertaining book.

Many of the characters interact with each other while drinking coffee. Coffee is their vice. Coffee is mentioned in the book about 95 times.

The Perfect Mother by Amy Malloy

What to Drink: Iced Tea

 

Publish Date: May 1, 2018

They call themselves the May Mothers—a group of new moms who gave birth in the same month. Twice a week, with their newborns in tow, they get together in Prospect Park, sharing the fears, joy, and anxieties of new parenthood. When the members meet for drinks at a hip local bar on the 4th of July, it begins as a fun, light evening, but ends terrifyingly wrong for one mom, Winnie – her six-week-old Midas, was abducted from his crib. In the days that follow the kidnapping, damaging secrets are exposed, marriages are tested, and friendships are formed and fractured.

This book takes place in Brooklyn, in a sweltering July heat wave. The descriptions of the hot, humid, stickiness of the New York City area is so vivid that you can practically feel the thick heavy air and the sweat running down your back. Iced Tea is the perfect thing to guzzle during this kind of weather.

Social Creature by Tara Isabella Burton

What to Drink: Champagne

  

Publish Date: June 5, 2018

This psychological thriller is about a toxic friendship between Lavinia and Louise. Rich Girl Lavinia has lured Poor Girl Louise into her world of The Finer Things. Lavinia has a beautiful NYC apartment, is invited to elite private parties, goes to the opera and the Met balls, has a breathtaking designer wardrobe, has over $100K in her ATM account, and a fleet of famous literary friends. Her life centers around good lighting, shopping, glam parties, drugs, lots of booze, and selfies. Lavinia brings Louise into her inner circle and gives her a taste of the high life. Louise loves it and can’t get enough. Soon she is partying with Lavinia on a nightly basis, reneging on her work obligations, and flirting with Lavinia’s ex, Rex. This setup leads to Louise digging herself into a very, very deep hole and then WATCH OUT, the book is un-putdownable.

Champagne is the perfect thing to sip while reading Social Creature. Lavinia and Louise bond over guzzling bottles of bubbly on the High Line.

What books and drinks do you recommend for a perfect pairing?