The Book shooter

My love for books is rivalled only by my enjoyment of good wine. Again, I am no expert, but am certainly adventurous and continue to seek out delicious wines to enjoy with a great read. Pairing these two loves has become somewhat of a passion. 

Recently while browsing through the Penguin book selection I came across James Patterson's bookshots.  What on earth is a bookshot?  It is basically a short novel that can be read in a single sitting.  It is often fast paced, intense and thrilling.

Naturally I wondered which wines would best suit these compact books meant to be read in one ‘shot'.

So I decided to have some fun and add a twist to the normal book and wine pairing by introducing a shooter / shot! 

The selected books are not short stories but novels and therefore don't have to be completed in a single sitting however introducing the shot as a prelude to a book club evening could add some fun.

Below are 5 options - enjoy!

1) Dutch Courage by Paige Nick

Shooter: Tequila!  
                - with or without the salt and lemon - it's your choice.

We all have at some point or another needed a little dutch courage...but how much more would you need a shot of tequila or two if you found yourself on a stage with a pole in Amsterdam's red light district?  A delightfully funny read by a South African author.   

2)  Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh

Shooter: Sowetan toilet
               Amarula cream, banana liqueur, a few drops of nachtmusik

I don't want to explain this one really...read the book if you can stomach it.

3) The Shining by Stephen King

Shooter: Jaggerbomb
               Red bull, Jaggermeister liqueur

With a remote resort hotel cut off from the world, strange and terrible forces shaping a homicidal maniac...and a five year old boy that ties it all together, you won't even need the caffeine in the Jaggerbomb to get your heart racing with this novel....A classic Stephen King novel that is considered one of his most complete and greatest works.  This terrifying story will keep you up all night.  If you haven't read this book...and don't mind jumping at your own shadow for some time after...you really should!

4)  Vir Altyd - Francois Bloemhof

Shooter: Suitcase
               1 shot of lemon cordial, 1 shot of Jack Daniels whiskey

After Nina gets left at the altar on her wedding day, she goes ahead and celebrates her wedding day anyway...after all it is her special day...so celebrate she will!  After too many bottles of champagne she wakes up on an airplane as it arrives in Mauritius with Hugo, her childhood friend.  Still in their wedding outfits and only a plastic packet containing a few items, they were, I would presume, in dire need of a suitcase...in more than one way.  Pack your own suitcase and join them on this most enjoyable journey!

5) Alice's adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carol & Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

                      

Shooter: Jelly shot
              a packet of jelly, boiling water, Malibu coconut rum

Who says jelly is only for kids?  The same applies to children's literature.  There is so much fun to experience when you pic up a good children's book!  These adventures will have you finding your inner child; carefree and believing in the impossible...because "very few things are indeed impossible."

And a bonus one...I realise this is being extremely obvious but I couldn't resist!

50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James

Shooter:  Screaming Orgasm
                Vodka, amaretto liqueur, coffee liqueur, Bailey's Irish rum liqueur

Because it's a deliciously naughty indulgence!

The Passion of Creation...or not.

 (a representation of writers block by Leonid Pasternok.  Source: Wikipedia)

This picture is aptly called "The Passion of Creation"  Yes, this is what creating and writing looks like!  Seriously, have you ever tried writing a book or short story?  It has recently come to light that I may need some guidance should I attempt putting the 'brilliant story' in my head onto paper.

I am going to be very honest; I am not a writer and I am definitely not a reviewer.  But I do know one thing and that is that I love books!  All age levels, all genres, every single one of them is a work of art.  I sometimes sit and look at my collection and wish that I could somehow inhale them...ingest them. It is like smelling them, touching them, reading them...sometimes is just not enough.

Secondly, I know that I am always willing to try and to learn.  I would like to use this blog to learn more about books, other forms of literature, the art of writing and creating a blog.

This can only be fun!