14. The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan

Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of Jessamine Chan’s 2022 novel The School for Good Mothers. Topics include what it means to be a good (or bad) mother, lifelike dolls, and The Audacity of it all.This week’s drink: Bad Thoughts via Tipsy BartenderINGREDIENTS1 ½ oz reposado tequila½ oz bergamot orange liqueur2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters2 dashes aromatic bittersAbsinthe sprayGarnish: grapefruit peelINSTRUCTIONSChill a rocks glass with crushed ice or put it in the freezerCombine ingredients in a mixing beaker and stir well with iceStrain mix into the chilled serving glass and garnish with a grapefruit peelCurrent Reads and Recommendations:Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley TucciFollow us on Instagram @literatureandlibationspod.Visit our website: literatureandlibationspod.com to submit feedback, questions, or your own takes on what we are reading. You can also see what we are reading for future episodes! You can email us at [email protected] leave us a review and/or rating! It really helps others find our podcast…and it makes us happy!Purchase books via bookshop.org or check them out from your local public library. Join us next time as we discuss Interior Chinatown by Charles YuHere is the cocktail recipe for the upcoming episode if you want to drink along with us!Lychee Margarita-Tini (name taken from the novel, recipe put together by our very own Taylor!INGREDIENTS:1.5 - 2 oz vodka.25 oz orange liqueur½ TB lychee syrup; more or less depending on desired sweetness (store bought or make your own - see below)Juice from ½ limeSalt (for glass rim)Lychees for garnish (optional)INSTRUCTIONS:In a shaker with ice, combine the vodka, orange liqueur, lychee syrup, and lime juice. Shake well until chilled.To make the lychee syrup: Boil 1 can of lychee fruit (retaining juice if desired) with equal parts water and sugar - ½ to 1 cup each. Boil for 10 minutes, pressing down on lychees to release juice. Store in a container or bottle.Pour into a martini glass with a salted rim. Add lychees and lime for garnish