Of Books and Booze

Of Books And Booze Podcast

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!

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

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

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 about masturbation probably has some explicit content, a warning isn’t likely to be much help, but here it is anyway. ***EXPLICIT CONTENT WARNING***

Episodios

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

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

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 about masturbation probably has some explicit content, a warning isn’t likely to be much help, but here it is anyway. ***EXPLICIT CONTENT WARNING***

Episode 027 — Modernist Pizza

Episode 027 — Modernist Pizza

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!

Episode 026 — HollowEarth

Episode 026 — HollowEarth

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!

025 — Funk & Wagnalls New Standard Dictionary 1932

025 — Funk & Wagnalls New Standard Dictionary 1932

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!

024 — Why Did the Chicken Cross the World?

024 — Why Did the Chicken Cross the World?

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!

023 — The Giving Tree

023 — The Giving Tree

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!

022 — Eggasaurus with author Jennifer Wagh

022 — Eggasaurus with author Jennifer Wagh

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!

021 — The Great Airship Mystery of 1897

021 — The Great Airship Mystery of 1897

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 Comb?

020 — African American Comic Book Artists, Social Protest, and the Medium of Blackness

020 — African American Comic Book Artists, Social Protest, and the Medium of Blackness

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!

019 — African American Authors with Kathleen March

019 — African American Authors with Kathleen March

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!

018 — US Bicycle Corps 1896–1897

018 — US Bicycle Corps 1896–1897

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!

017 — COVID-19 with Kathleen March

017 — COVID-19 with Kathleen March

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!

016 — That's Disgusting! That's Mean! That's Dangerous!

016 — That's Disgusting! That's Mean! That's Dangerous!

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."

015 — The Horror And The Horrible: Disturbing Stories Written and Read by Bradley James Weber

015 — The Horror And The Horrible: Disturbing Stories Written and Read by Bradley James Weber

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!

014 — Creepy Books with Kathleen March

014 — Creepy Books with Kathleen March

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!

014a - Discussing non-binary characters

014a - Discussing non-binary characters

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.

014b - Firekeeper's Daughter

014b - Firekeeper's Daughter

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

013 — Nerve - Adventures in the Science of Fear

013 — Nerve - Adventures in the Science of Fear

Stirring up a brand-new mystery drink while discussing fears, phobias, and how we can learn to stop freaking ourselves out. Cheers!

012 — The Best Books I've Never Read

012 — The Best Books I've Never Read

Making several of the very tasty gin-based Bramble cocktail while talking about the magic of audiobooks. Salute!

011 — Origins of the Ku Klux Klan (Part II)

011 — Origins of the Ku Klux Klan (Part II)

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.