Barred Books

Parable of the Sower

Hey everyone! In this episode, we brought in distinguished Afrofuturist, author, teacher, mentor, and community organizer Maurice Broaddus to discuss Octavia E. Butler's 1993 novel Parable of the Sower. Set in the years 2024-2027, it's an eerily prescient look at the effects of late-stage capitalism on the American populace. It should be required reading, but it has a Black protagonist and dares to question American Exceptionalism, so, you know. It gets banned a lot instead.  Originally we paired this discussion with this cocktail [https://thisismold.com/series/required-reading/required-reading-parable-of-the-sower]from This is Mold, but it wasn't the best drink we've ever had, so Friend of the Podcast Ambrosia Borowski [https://www.instagram.com/meadofthegods/] crafted a replacement. We're calling the The Sower because we're super creative like that.  The Sower 1-1/2 oz tequila 1 oz frangelico 1/2 oz lemon juice 3 dashes black walnut bitters Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin with ice until chilled and pour into a chilled glass. Enjoy as you contemplate the state of the world and what part you'll play in a more hopeful future.  ----- news music by Squidems -- https://freesound.org/s/709973/ [https://freesound.org/s/709973/] -- License: Creative Commons 0

Slaughterhouse Five

Hello book lovers and fascism haters! Today's Barred Book Episode features host Kelly Swails and guest Bryan Young [https://www.swankmotron.com/] discussing the classic book Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. The author mentions Irish Whiskey in the first chapter, and since both Bryan and Kelly are writers, we paired this discussion with Writer's Tears. Cheers!

The Handmaid's Tale

In this episode, Susan J. Morris [https://susanjmorris.com/] and host Kelly Swails sip on Margaret Atwoods while discussing the ever-more-relevant The Handmaid's Tale. Get ready for some feminist rage! If you'd like to drink along with us, this cocktail is from Jennifer Croll's book Free the Tipple [https://bookshop.org/p/books/free-the-tipple-kickass-cocktails-inspired-by-iconic-women-jennifer-croll/929c39ea8e519779]. I did not have a Collins glass handy so I skipped the ice and used a flute. Also, no garnish, because really, snapdragons in this economy? 1-1/2 ounces light rum 1/2 ounce maraschino liqueur 1 ounce pomegranate juice 1 ounce lime juice 1 ounce apple juice Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a Collins glass filled with ice and garnish with a snapdragon.