Drink Books

My Spring crushes including Carson McCullers iconic haircut, porch reading season, entering my biography era (maybe?), and the newest vintage of Color Collector Gamay Noir 🌸
I’ve never been one for traditional biographies (I want more of the author, not just the subject, I suppose) but after having such a moment with Mary Dearborn’s frank and absorbing biography of Carson McCullers this weekend, I’m thinking maybe I should start reading more? It’s not lost on me, pairing a wine with much of the subject matter of this book, and McCullers life, but this Gamay Noir is up for it— dark fruit and currant, soft and delicate with an acidity that hits in the back of your mouth and lingers through all 400 ish pages. Sorry, you might have to get yourself to to buy some, but I promise it will be worth it.

One book, two moods, and a lesson in embracing ambiguity in April, or, if I’m being honest, for a lot longer. Also, If someone can find me either of these beverages on the west coast you’ll be my hero cause I need to consume them again 🍓🫐
Full “review” about these beverages and novel (read twice) in which I, once again, wildly impose myself upon the text just hit your inboxes 💌 Apologies in advance to Sarah Bernstein, whose novel really got inside me and wouldn’t let go.

“I realize more and more these days that people finish things and live in a world of time.” — Did we miss February’s one moment for Romance? Hopefully not. A belated pairing that stirred a little flutter, hitting everyone’s mailboxes this morning for free [with sincere apologies for being so late to it] 💌💕

Moving slowly into the reading, drinking year but already picking favorites ❤️ One novel drank on either side of the year, with two different bottle of the same wine. Full book and wine notes hitting inboxes this morning 💌
For January, Isabella Hammad’s stunning Enter Ghost with Laurent Saillard Ça se discute pineau d’aunis.

I’m not sure I’m allowed to still be talking about my favorites from 2023, but I’m doing it anyways. A substack on taking my time in 2024 and my favorite half-mad books from 2023 💌📚🍷

Last night, I drank with loves in Seattle, and today I walked 10 miles around Brooklyn with another love and ate this sandwich in the sun. If you know me, that (plus the book I’m about to finish) is my most romantic day. It’s been a hectic but sweet end to the year; there’s much I thought I would have done by now— mostly, telling you all about my favorite books of 2023, most of which hovered around a certain madness— some of which I know, and others I could feel. For now, let’s just say coming soon— maybe this year, or maybe in the next 😘

Pink is the new red 🎀 And smart monstrous books for your favorite worms make a very good gift.

It’s our last weekend here and on deck are all our favorite holiday sips and some books about mothers and monsters and madness and some other obsessive and very cheery themes 🌀🍷✨📚

Oh hey, it’s the LAST weekend to come visit me at for the Drink Books book-bar pop up. We got bottles and books, glasses and tomato pies. See you SOON ❤️💚

Back this week at Postale with cozy spots to read & drink plus new books, bottles, and tasty snacks. See you there Thur, Fri, and Saturday 2 to 8 pm 📚🍷🕯️

Spent the morning assembling what will be the last irl book cru pairing pick up in Seattle for now—one, that, ties together so many of the things we’ve been thinking about for the last 4 year: madness—the body as narrative—intimacy—the self—and our biggest love, the taste of “complex foamy” bubbles in the middle of winter. If you want to read more about them, and get future book-wine essays in your inbox sign up for our *new* substack (link and bio).

I’ll have more to say about the sweetness of getting to read and drink in community with folks over the last four years, but, for now, thanks for creating with me it’s been the best 💙

Recently I was told that maybe complaining about the weather isn’t gonna make it better, so this is *not* a complaint, but rather a statement of truth: it’s dark out there. In more ways than one. But, and despite, I’ll be taking over Postale wine bar and shop (in the back of Tivoli) from 2 to 8, through Saturday, with lamps lit, candles glowing, fun glass pours, new books, and as much cheer as we’ve got. Swing by for a chat, drink, read, hang, hug, or a place to call your reps. With love and literature, friends 💙

💌 Drink Books x Postale 💌

For the month of December we’ll be popping up as a Book Bar in Postale — a soon to be wine bar and shop in the back of .in.seattle — expect delicious wines, salty snacks, and room to sit and read 📚🍷

We’re kicikong off this weekend with Saturday’s Date Your Book, and then back next week Thur - Sat (2 to 8 pm) through the 23rd with a selection of classic and new Drink Books titles all centered around one of our favorite themes— Obsession ❤️‍🔥 but more on that hitting your inbox later today 💌

Xoxo
Drink Books x Postale

Oh hey, see you Saturday 12/2 for a little more reading, sipping, and snacking. This time we’re taking over the back of .in.seattle (730 N 34th, down the alley) 5 to 8 pm with wines, books, cheer, and an antipasto that will make all your book date dreams come true 💙📚🍾

A book and bottle we really got our teeth into 💚💛

Read the full November book cru notes which include many other mouth metaphors that are surely a little too much (link in bio).

BEEP! BEEP! We’ve been quiet, but here’s a little secret: you can now get this face to deliver you custom pairings, wine boxes, and personal book clubs, aka everything you need for the darkest season. Deliveries start next week and go through late December 🚙💙📚🍾💌

From the moment this book arrived into my hands it felt like a secret I wanted to keep, despite the fact that necer have I previously felt compelled to keep a narrator’s secret, especially not from you, my dear readers. Alas, “I cannot keep her a secret,” and nor should I. Happy pub day to and and happy October reading and drinking to all 💌

It’s still summer, but on the verge of something else. So here’s a little September Book Cru pairing for reading and drinking into the verge 🖤
📖Love by Hanne Ørstabik with 🍷Rocamadre Criolla. Full book and wine notes online, follow that link.

Dear Friends,

YOU are the best 🥹💗 Thanks for an overwhelmingly amazing last week, and thanks to everyone who came out for the last days, weeks, months, or ever. Thanks for reading and drinking and falling in love, and bringing me snacks and cheering me on. I’m so grateful y’all loved this little shop as much as I did; it’s a bittersweet feeling but I’m excited for the next iteration of Drink Books, whatever that may be. It’s not goodbye, it’s see you soon worms 😘📚🍷
I’ll be posting wine and book pairings, recs, pop up announcements, here and through the newsletter so thanks for being here, and there💙
Your friends,
Drink Books

Last Bar Books on phinney tonight, 4 to 8, so come soak it up. Thanks to everyone for being the cutest, this weekend has been something special 🥹💗🎉📚🥂💌

For August’s Book Cru, a book and bottle pairing we loved for the way it thrilled us, broke our heart, put it back together again in a sort of slanted way that feels more true than the truth, and most of all— for the way it reminds us to yield to the season 💙
We’ll be discussing this one on September 10th at Saint Bread, and there’s a few pairings left so hustle on over to the shop today or tomorrow if you want to join in

We couldn’t possibly have planned a more delightfully unhinged pairing for our final week here in the shop, but thanks to the shipping container that brought us one of our fave rosés just in TIME and my inner book hunch/ algorithm that landed this book in my lap: it’s a tart, laugh-out-loud, dribble juice down your T-shirt, afternoon well-spent “glowing in the luminous decline” sort of pairing. I suppose what makes this book and bottle even more perfectly suited for one another is a certain air of chill, “not-caring,” which is the perfect sort of cover for a narrator and a wine maker that care, a whole lot. And we’re lucky they do 🪱💙

✨Last week to sit right here ✨

We’re here, we’re open for TEN more days ✨All stocked on books and wine so come by for a chat, pour, read and let us add to your tbr and tbd stacks 📚🍷💌

✨Still peak summer ✨
What makes something a summer book? Perhaps it’s reading a novel like sinking into fragrant earth; a story that’s palpable with “the weight of blossomed things,” or one that draws the reader to its “spacious, magnetic center.” Or perhaps it’s a book that will destroy you, the way Sula has gutted me on several occasions, in a very precise, hard to pin down way. Which is also why we love drinking the Color Collector’s wines: they’re precise, thoughtful bottles that possess, like our favorite season, the capacity to hold you 💕✨
p.s. thank you for reminding us that summer is NOT over, and that Sula is a perfect summer novel now and forever 💌

Tonight BAR BOOKS as usual, 4 to 8 pm with some tasty pours, and stay for the peel-apart Polaroid pop-up at 6 pm 📷 Deets 👇
Peel-apart Polaroid pop-up with Holy Stevens and Rachel Koszka — get a take home portrait on expired black and white peel apart film in front of our favorite blue wall 💙 Portraits are $50 via Venmo to the photographers.

As much as it’s about the books and wine, this little phinney space has always been about hanging out 💕 So grateful for for not only bringing her tarot gifts but her graceful, wise presence to this little shop and all the people who came through 💗 Go find her for tarot readings outside the shop because because 💗

This SUNDAY, help us say goodbye to our favorite baker, friend, funny gal — come for day time treats all weekend, then late-ish night dessert and wine pours on 7/30 🍰🍷See you there 😘

Saturday is our last Wine & Tarot in the shop! These events have truly been our favorite over the last few years, so come snag a reading spot with and hang for some wine. We’ll be pouring some new faves from a favorite .collector and likely some other things too. Sign up list opens at 4:30, readings to start at 5pm! 💕✨🥂

Ready or not, August 14th is our LAST day in this little shop 🥹📚🥂💙✨🎉 see long note 👇

Dear Friends,

Despite knowing our time in this location was limited, we’ve been in a bit of denial about having to actually say goodbye, but ready or not, there’s just three ish weeks left of Drink Books on Phinney, and we are ready to party!!! We hope to see you for hugs/pours/ book and bottle chats before we go 🎉 We can’t say enough how much we appreciate you all, we’re so grateful for the time we’ve had here with all you booky, wine worms. We already miss you!
What’s next for Drink Books? Honestly, I (Kim) am not sure yet! Drink abooks has been such a rewarding, challenging, exciting experiment, and while I know parts of Drink Books will continue on, I’m taking a moment to catch my breath and figure out what makes sense for the business moving forward. I’ll continue to share pop-up details, events, book and wine recommendations, and other fun book and wine related content through Instagram and thr newsletter. Truly, this shop would just be a part of my brain if it weren’t for you all, so thanks for the rad community and support 💙 And if you didn’t get it before, the next few weeks are going to be a BLAST. So see you on Phinney 😘

“Life? Literature? One to be made into the other?”
Orlando, by Virginia Woolf, is a funny, smart, gender-bending little read that made our little poetic heart swell in anticipation, not for the next act, but for the next emotion—rendered so exact, as though Woolf had pulled our very thought from the “humane jumble of them all” and laid it, shimmering, beside us. Drink with the Waiting For Tom White from the Rennersistas— a blend of Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay that’s a the perfect meeting place of green, lush Nature and the cold embrace of stone— which I dran, sip after sip, in what could only be described as a state of summer rapture 🌊🌊🌊