Cocktails for Book Lovers: (Literary Gift for Readers, Housewarming Gift) Hardcover – July 1, 2014

I confess: buying "Cocktails For Book Lovers" by Tessa Smith McGovern for a gift and wanting to keep it for myself! This is a delightful collection of authors and literary achievement featuring quick highly informative biographies, info/book lists, colorful cocktail/drinks (with recipes) associated with the writer or authorship.Raised in England, McGovern recalled her fascination/focus of the "melancholy brilliance" of Virginia Woolf (1882-1941), she also studied "Bloomsbury", the community of writers, artists, intellectuals associated with Woolf. Moving to the US her interest continued in famous literary achievers: the "Algonquin Round Table" (ART) located in NYC, was centered around Dorothy Parker (1893-1967). This renowned literary scene of parties, elegance, glamour, and the flow of drinks/cocktails celebrating the excitement around books/publishing that started in the 1920's.Beginning with author Isabel Allende (Madrina's Banana Rum) and finishing with Dan Zevin (Kir Royale Champagne), more of the authors featured (115 page book) listed with representing cocktails:Emily Bronte (Heathcliff's Crush), Willa Cather (Peter's Whiskey Cocktail), Collette (Classic Mulled Wine), Charles Dickens (Mr. Micawber's Hot Gin Punch), Ernest Hemmingway (Mojito), F. Scott Fitzgerald (Gin Rickey), James Joyce (Ruddy Mary), Wally Lamb (Manhattan), Katherine Mansfield (Iced Passion Fruit), Joyce Carol Oates (Zombie Cola), Mathew Quick (Beer Margarita), Mary Shelley (Frankenstein's Berry punch), Elizabeth Taylor (Pear Smash), Anne Tyler (Ian's Cherry Cola) Virginia Woolf (Fitzroy Fizz).This is a perfect gift for any reader who enjoys relaxing with "literature and libations". I'll be getting a copy for myself soon!

This book is a delight from beginning to end. Filled with cocktail recipes and anecdotes from both contemporary and classic authors, the reader can transport themselves into the lives of various writers while sipping his or her favorite drink. I am amazed at the research that Ms McGovern carried out in order to bring these delicious treats to us, and look forward to 'themed' evenings with my book group. Cheers!

After receiving my own copy - I ordered several more through Amazon to give as Christmas gifts! I've already tried a few of the cocktails from the book (Elizabeth Gaskell's Smuggler's Respite, F. Scott Fitzgerald's Gin Rickey, and Dorothy Parker's Champagne Bellini, more than once). This is a terrific little book!

I liked that this book included classic as well as contemporary authors; the excerpts were well done, and the drunk pairings good fun.

I love this cleaver book about authors and their stories, along with the delicious cocktails that match. I am interested in how the author determined who should and should not be in this mix of characters. Overall, a must have for a reader, librarian, and book collector like me!

Bought for my in home bar so we will see how it works out

Nice tidbits I did not know about some of my favorite writers.

Fun cocktails with stories about each author and a significant work of theirs. Most cocktails are basic and we'll known bit the side stories were ok.