Seattle, forever linked with books and reading thanks to Sleepless in Seattle. Also Maria Semple's Where d'you Go Bernadette, tho' to be clear, Bernadette was not a fan of the rainy city. Londoners, though, umbrella always at hand, feel right at home. A recent family holiday offered a rare chance for an in-person bookish catchup. Listen in for our thoughts on our latest reads including the new novel from Lily King and some purchases from the inimitable Elliot Bay bookshop.

Embracing the holiday spirit we're also getting into our bookish cocktails. Luckily Margaret C. Beeler, author of literary cocktail book Tropetails, is on hand to help us out. She shares one of her favourites, scroll down for the recipe, and if you like the sound of the book and want to get yourself a copy, US listeners, if you use the code TROPECLUBREVIEW at checkout you'll get free shipping.

Don't forget to check out The Book Club Review on Patreon to support Kate in making the show. In return you'll get extra episodes, chat group access with Kate and Laura, starting and at the higher tier you can join the monthly book club. This month we're reading On The Calculation of Volume I by Solvej Balle, in September it's Mouthing, the bestselling Irish debut from Orla Mackey. We meet on the last Sunday of the month over Zoom, with a catch-up episode posted for anyone unable to make the live session.

Books mentioned

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum (Shanna Tan)

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa (Eric Ozawa)

The Bookshop Woman by Nanako Hanada (Cat Anderson)

Heart the Lover by Lily King

Writers & Lovers by Lily King

Euphoria by Lily King

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

Five Ways to Forgiveness by Ursula K. LeGuin

Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell

Audition by Katie Kitamura

The Odd Woman and the City by Vivan Gornick

The Transitive Vampire by Karen Elizabeth Gordon

The Cafe with No Name by Robert Seethaler (Katy Derbyshire)

Tokyo Express by Seicho Matsumoto (Jesse Kirkwood)

Margaret's Cocktail

Give me Your Brains

into shaker with ice: 2 oz / 60 ml bourbon 1 oz / 30 ml aquafaba 1 oz / 30 ml fresh lemon juice 1 oz / 30 ml blackcurrant (juice or syrup) shake + pour into a coupe garnish with dehydrated lemon