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Wendy and Amy discuss America's current most banned author, Ellen Hopkins, and her gritty young adult novel, Tricks. We talk about a book so banned, British customs worked to keep it out; the benefits of reading a book with so many difficult topics; Hopkins' brilliant writing style; and a Peachy Prosecco Cocktail. Pop a cork to reads that take you on an emotional roller coaster!

Ingredients for Today's Peachy Prosecco Cocktail:
1/2 fl. oz vodka, 1/2 fl. oz. peach liqueur, 1/2 fl. oz. amaretto, 1 fl. oz. orange juice, squeeze of fresh lemon juice, enough prosecco to fill the glass, basil leaf, and fresh peach slices.

Add all of the ingredients, except the Prosecco and peach slice, to a shaker filled with ice. Shake well and pour into a tumbler. Top the glass with Prosecco and garnish with the peach slices.

Links from Show:

1. Prosecco is Always the Answer from Summersdale Publishers
2. Timeline of book banning on the Freedom to Read website
3. American Library Association List of Banned and Challenged Books
4. Discussion questions for banned books
5. Ellen Hopkins' website

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Wendy and Amy discuss a much-loved teen classic Forever by Judy Blume. We discuss Ernest Hemingway, teen sex, naming conventions of certain anatomy, and, of course, our Maple Fizz cocktail. Pop a cork to books about first love and first times that stick with you forever.

Ingredients for Today's Maple Fizz Prosecco Cocktail:
2 tsp maple syrup, 1 ¾ oz. chilled cranberry juice, 3 ⅓ oz. chilled prosecco

Shake maple syrup and cranberry juice with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into tumbler and top with prosecco. Stir quickly before serving.

Links from Show:

1. Prosecco is Always the Answer from Summersdale Publishers
2. Timeline of book banning on the Freedom to Read website
3. American Library Association List of Banned and Challenged Books
4. Discussion questions for banned books
5. Judy Blume's website
6. Penis naming article

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Wendy and Amy discuss The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas while sipping a Watermelon Prosecco Cocktail. We tackle tough topics like police violence, media spin and how difficult stories continue to teach important lessons. Pop a cork to books that make you stop, think, reflect, and grow.

Ingredients for Today's Watermelon Prosecco Cocktail:
1 small watermelon, 6 3/4 fl. oz vodka, 1 chilled bottle of Prosecco, and fresh mint

Peel then chop the watermelon into chunks and pop them into the freezer, along with your bottle of vodka. When you're ready to serve, put about a quarter of the watermelon chunks into a blender along wit the vodka and blitz until smooth. Top with Prosecco and then blend on a low setting to combine. Fill a large pitcher with ice, pour the pink cocktail over it and garnish with plenty of fresh mint leaves.

Links from Show:

1. Prosecco is Always the Answer from Summersdale Publishers
2. Timeline of book banning on the Freedom to Read website
3. American Library Association List of Banned and Challenged Books
4. Discussion questions for banned books
5. Angie Thomas' website.

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Wendy and Amy discuss Sold by Patricia McCormick and sip a Frozen Lemon Fizzer prosecco cocktail. We talk about the horrific reality of child sex slavery, gender dynamics and women as property. Pop a cork to the strength of a woman!

Ingredients for Today's Frozen Lemon Fizzer:
4 scoops lemon sorbet, 1 3/4 fl. oz. limoncello, 2 oz. Prosecco, 2 springs mint

Blend the lemon sorbet on low speed and add the limoncello slowly. Add prosecco. Pour into chilled cocktail glasses and serve garnished with mint.

Links from Show:

1. Prosecco is Always the Answer from Summersdale Publishers
2. Timeline of book banning on the Freedom to Read website
3. American Library Association List of Banned and Challenged Books
4. Discussion questions for banned books
5. Patricia McCormick's website.

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Wendy and Amy discuss a beloved middle-grade read, Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. We talked about friendship, grief and gender roles. We also explored how a book like this can help when tackling tough topics with young readers. Pop a cork to classics that never get old!

Ingredients for Today's Slow Gin and Blackberry Sparkle Pairing:

1 fl. oz. slow gin

Blackberries

Enough chilled prosecco to fill the glass.

Add the sloe gin to a tumbler along with a blackberry or two before topping it up with prosecco.

Links from Show:

1. Prosecco is Always the Answer from Summersdale Publishers
2. Timeline of book banning on the Freedom to Read website
3. American Library Association List of Banned and Challenged Books
4. Discussion questions for banned books
5. Katherine Paterson's website.

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Wendy and Amy discuss their first nonfiction read ever for the podcast, George M. Johnson's memoir All Boys Aren't Blue. We talk about the benefits of reading someone else's story and how much can be learned from them, as well as the value this book in particular brings to readers. Pop a cork to being open to others' truths!

Ingredients for Today's Prosecco Cobbler Cocktail Pairing:

1/2 tsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp curacao

Slice of orange

Enough chilled Prosecco to fill the glass. We use Kirkland purple label.

Half fill a goblet glass with crushed ice. Add the lemon juice, curacao, and orange slice. Stir, top with Prosecco, stir again and serve.

Links from Show:

1. Prosecco is Always the Answer from Summersdale Publishers
2. Timeline of book banning on the Freedom to Read website
3. American Library Association List of Banned and Challenged Books
4. Discussion questions for banned books
5. George M. Johnson's website.

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Wendy and Amy take on heavy topics discussing Thirteen Reasons Why by J. Asher. We talk about story structure and symbology, as well as why such an impactful story would be banned. Pop a cork to books that can teach us to look and listen for ways to help and speak up for others.

Thanks to Podcast Feedspot for helping us spread the word about our podcast!

Ingredients for Today's Black Velvet Cocktail Pairing:

2 cans Guinness

1 bottle Kirkland's Prosecco

Fill half champagne flutes with beer and then "VERY SLOWLY" top them with chilled prosecco.

Links from Show:

1. Prosecco is Always the Answer from Summersdale Publishers
2. Timeline of book banning on the Freedom to Read website
3. American Library Association List of Banned and Challenged Books
4. Discussion questions for banned books
5. Need to talk? 1.800.SUICIDE | www.hopeline.com
6. Jay Asher

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Wendy and Amy discuss a high school staple, The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. We talk about the fourth musketeer, Holden as a contradiction, and ducks. Pop a cork to teen angst.

Ingredients for Today's D'Artagnan Cocktail Pairing:

1 tsp. Armagnac (We subbed Remi Martin Cognac VSOP)
1 tsp. orange liqueur (We used Grand Marnier)
3 tsp. chilled orange juice
1/2 tsp. simple syrup
Slice of orange
Enough chilled prosecco to fill glass (Kirkland's DOCG | Purple Bottle)

Links from Show:

1. Prosecco is Always the Answer from Summersdale Publishers
2. Timeline of book banning on the Freedom to Read website
3. American Library Association List of Banned and Challenged Books
4. Discussion questions for banned books
5. The 4th Musketeer - D'Artagnan
6. J. D. Salinger