"I now know why everyone kept telling me to read this book…wow! The story takes place in Southwest Virginia (less than 2 hours from where I grew up), so I could feel the people and places that Demon mentions. Inspired by David Copperfield, this book is a story of one boy's survival and resilience into manhood. I'm totally in love with this book and would recommend it to any fiction reader. While reading, I just had to make my own pot of soup beans which is a dinner we had pretty often in Northeast Tennessee. Demon's mom loved Mello Yello, however, it's no longer available. Instead, I've paired with a regional soda called Dr. Enuf that I'm sure Demon and his family would have tried."

Demon Copperhead

By Barbara Kingsolver

Dr. Enuf

Appalachian Soup Beans

"Bye, Baby is a fast-paced story about the lingering effects that time, life changes, and childhood trauma have on lifelong female friendship set against a backdrop of jealousy, betrayal, and high society in NYC. I devoured this novel in a day, making it the perfect final beach read of the season."

Bye, Baby

By Carola Lovering

Sweetgreen Kale Caesar Salad

Hampton Water Rosé

"I wanted to refresh myself with Nicholas Sparks since I haven't read any of his books in a while, and he has a new book releasing this fall. Unless you live under a rock, you know the book turned movie classic, The Notebook. What isn't common knowledge is there was a second book written with the children from Noah and Allie. It's realistic and the truth behind marriage is capturing.  You would expect nothing less from the romance visionary. I made sure to pair this with the movie and a classic southern dish…but with a wedding hors d'oeuvre style twist. Enjoy!"

The Wedding

By Nicholas Sparks

Appetizer Shrimp and Grits

The Notebook 

"I'm back with another cozy read. This book is a cozy fantasy that was marketed to me as a having the same vibes of Howl's Moving Castle. As a lover of the movie and the book, I had to check it out!"

Half Soul

By Olivia Atwater

Regency-era Dreamscape Playlist

Regency-era Biscuits

"Talk about topical! This frothy thriller is rooted in viral #vanlife culture and the consequences of lost privacy. After two years of rosy social media fame as mom-teen daughter travel influencers, one of them disappears."

The Long Way Back

By Nicole Bart

Mocha Frappe

Wanderlust Playlist