As promised, here is the second half of my summer reading recommendations:

Surprisingly Endearing, Shitty Main Character: Martyr! By Kaveh Akbar

An alcohol- and drug-addicted drifter in search of his mother’s life story was not an immediate hook for me. But, wow, does the story (and the character) evolve! We travel from the Midwest to Iran, and then to New York City, experiencing hardship and joy, connection and resolution. Cyrus Shams, who has no memory of his mother, seeks to better understand himself (and his grieving father) by learning everything he can about her. Yes, there are big surprises. His journey will break your heart, then glue it back together. I was in love with Cyrus by the end, especially after riding shotgun on his self-affirming odyssey.

Pair It With: 2022 Quinta do Montalto, Medieval de Ourem, DOC Encostas d’Aire ($39; 14% abv)

I really got into Portuguese wines during our trip to Lisbon in January. So, when I found this unique bottle, I had to try it. Made using a technique introduced 500 years ago by monks, Medieval de Ourem is made from Fernão Pires (a white grape) that was fermented in barrel, picking up some skin contact, then blended with Trincadeira (a red grape). The result is a light red wine with aromas of candied red fruit and tangy acidity on the palate. A wine that I wasn’t sure I’d love, based on its description. But, as with the book, its unique character grew on me (and I bought a few more bottles!)

Question Everything: James by Percival Everett

One of the most talked-about books of 2024, James retells the classic tale of Huckleberry Finn but with a major twist: it’s narrated by Jim, Finn’s family’s slave. And, no surprise, things look a bit different this time around. Everett has adeptly shifted and sharpened focus on seminal events in the original. We are forced to re-evaluate our understanding of Twain’s novel, especially the characters within. After reading James, I read Huckleberry Finn again, with one question lingering in my mind: “What If?”

Pair It With: 2024 Francesco Vezzelli Lambrusco di Sorbara Il Selezione $23; 11% abv)

I chose this wine because Lambrusco, like the original Huckleberry Finn, deserves another look. Years ago, Lambrusco was widely regarded (in the US) as a fizzy-sweet, rather uninteresting pour. Thank goodness we now know better! I find it to be the perfect hot-weather sip – always bright and refreshing and plays well with almost any food. It’s always good practice to revisit our opinions, on everything, from wine to the classic American novel.

Volcanoes, Warfare, and Cinematic Tension: Eruption by Michael Crichton and James Patterson

You get a two-fer with this book, which Crichton had almost finished when he suddenly passed away. His wife, who met James Patterson shortly afterward, asked him to finish the manuscript. It’s a thrill-a-minute read, transporting us to Hawaii where two threats (one military, the other meteorological) converge. Who knew the science behind volcanoes was so riveting? At times (especially near the end) the story reads more like a screenplay: each scene was vivid and dramatic, as if I were watching it unfold in an IMAX theater with Surround Sound!

Pair It With: 2020 Tornatore Etna Rosso ($28; 14% abv)

We’re going volcanic here! This wine comes from the slopes of Mount Etna, the rumbling giant that keeps Sicily on constant alert. (You might remember it from the second season of The White Lotus.) It’s a combo of two local red grapes: Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio, which together make a cherry-berry, tangy, moderately tannic wine that’s absolutely divine with food. Grilling burgers and steaks for dinner? Pour this.

A Scary Tale of Tracing Your Roots: The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza

A Philly chef is at her wits’ end: Sara’s marriage has fallen apart, her innovative restaurant has lost its funding, and her favorite aunt has just passed away. Our heroine is left to carry out her aunt’s final wishes, which require a trip to Sicily and some serious sleuthing, to fill gaps in her family’s history. Many adventures ensue, as Sara discovers that history is way more complicated than she realized. And of course there is romance (as well as delicious food, tasty wine, and dramatic encounters with local bad guys!)

Pair It With: Three Wines from Living Roots Winery Company, Finger Lakes, NY

 Sebastian and Colleen Hardy make wine in two vastly different places: Rochester, NY (provenance of the three wines below) and Adelaide, Australia. I had the pleasure of meeting them in February at the Cab Franc Forward event here in NYC and just loved their globe-trotting story, as well as the three wines listed here:

2022 Finger Lakes Cabernet Franc ($34; 12.4% abv); 50% whole cluster, 50% semi-carbonic; fresh, delicious – very well balanced; endless pairing possibilities!

2023 Finger Lakes Pet-Nat Rosé ($26; 12% abv); Blaufrankisch 41%, Cabernet Franc 36%; Saperavi 23%; herbaceous and fresh, perfect summer sipper.

2023 Finger Lakes Dy Rosé – ($22; 12% abv); floral nose, savory finish, “delish” (my actual tasting note!)

Delicious Tales of Fascinating Protagonists: Table for Two : Fictions by Amor Towles

Have you read A Gentleman in Moscow? Count Rostov is possibly my favorite literary character, and I’m a devoted fan of Towles. If you love his writing, too, I highly recommend this collection of short stories. Each is unique, with indelible characters and intense dramas that will stick with you long after you’ve closed the book.

Pair It With: 2019 Smith Madrone Riesling ($40; 12.8% abv) 2/5/24

If you follow my blog and Insta account, you already know how much I love Smith Madrone wines! And the Riesling is a perpetual favorite of wine aficionados everywhere: ripe fruit in perfect balance with vibrant acidity; an amiable partner with an array of dishes; and a phenomenal bargain for the quality of wine in the glass. Their Riesling is the vinous avatar of Count Rostov and the players in Table for Two: refined, authentic characters who are comfortable in their own skin.

Searching for Truth: Ordinary Grace by William Kent Kreuger

The tale begins in the summer of 1961 as Frank, then 14, finds himself involved in a series of tragic events that forever change his family and community. It’s another novel that brilliantly translates the feeling of a place. It also puts us deep in the thoughts and emotions of Frank, as he navigates grown-up situations with the limited life experience of a teen. Beautifully written, at times poetic, Ordinary Grace is about unintended consequences, atonement, grievance, and loss. You’ll be thinking about this one for a while.

Pair It With: 2021 Smith Madrone Napa Valley Spring Mountain District Chardonnay ($45; 14% abv)

Speaking of truth: Are you a fan of California Chardonnay? Or are you stuck in the old trope that they’re all heavy, oaky, sweet, and just too much? Well, here is your wake-up call! This wine is a great example of Chardonnay truth: made by astute winemakers who pick their grapes at perfect ripeness, vinify them with care, and strive for structural balance in the finished wine, California Chardonnay can be glorious! As this one decidedly is. Just one sip and you’ll be a fan, too. Welcome aboard the bandwagon!

When Good People Go Bad: If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

What’s more meta than a Shakespearean-style murder mystery set amongst a cast of college actors staging a Shakespearean tragedy? Mix in for good measure: toxic friendships, romantic rivalries, addiction, and money. And, if we’re honest, we all love a little schadenfreude now and again, right? If you’re nodding yes, here’s your summer beach read!

Pair It With: 2023 Azienda Oreste Buzio Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese ($19; 13% abv)

If you’re a student of history or literature, you know that when good people go bad, it’s usually because of irresistible temptation. Like this wine . . .

New to Grignolino? I love, love, love it! It makes the perfect chillable red for summer sipping. Grown in the Piemonte region of Italy (home to Barolo, Barbaresco, and Barbera) it’s lighter in body than the first two, slightly more tannic than the third.) Here’s my non-wine geek description: bright cherry fruit, floral aromas, tangy acid, and grippy tannins that linger on the finish. It’s like a sweet kiss, so innocent and nice, with a nippy, naughty bite at the end. Pair it with grilled meat, pasta, or a sexy conversation (followed by a devilish little kiss!)

Happy Reading!

Cheers to August and the enthralling stories and satisfying sips ahead! BTW, if you’ve got any great suggestions of your own, please drop them in the comments. I’m always looking for the next great read!