Episode 03: Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez

Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of Xochitl Gonzalez’s 2022 novel Olga Dies Dreaming. Topics include rich white people, the “American Dream”, and how little we actually know about Puerto Rico.This week’s cocktail: Pina Colada via Difford’sINGREDIENTS2 oz Bacardi Carta Blanca light rum1 ½ oz Novo Fogo Silver cachaca3 ½ oz pineapple juice (fresh pressed)¾ oz cream of coconut (e.g. Coco Lopez, Re’al, etc.)½ oz lime juice (freshly squeezed)¼ oz single cream/half-and-half1 pinch saltDIRECTIONSBlend all ingredients with 6oz crushed ice and serve with paper strawsCurrent Reads and RecommendationsAnything my Silvia Moreno-GarciaThe Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa (translated from the Japanese by Louise Heal Kawai)Follow 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] books via bookshop.org or check them out from your local public library. Join us next week as we discuss The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil GaimanHere is the cocktail recipe for next week’s episode if you want to drink along with us!Bramble via liquor.comINGREDIENTS2 ounces gin1 ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed2 teaspoons simple syrup½ ounce creme de mureGarnish: lemon half-wheelGarnish: fresh blackberryDIRECTIONSAdd the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup into a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.Fine-strain into an Old Fashioned glass over crushed ice.Slowly pour the creme de mure over the top of the drinkGarnish with a lemon half-wheel and a fresh blackberry.