A Bacon Recommendation for good times, or bad: Step away from the computer. Set your phone on do not disturb. Open a book. And savor a glass of the wine you’re with! Today’s post features wine and book pairings prepared for the University School of Nashville’s “Fall Book Frenzy” – their annual Used Book Sale and Silent Auction taking place this Thursday through Saturday, October 5th to 7th. The sale is open to the public on Saturday, October 7th, from 9 am to 3 pm. Thanks to Midtown Wine and Spirits for donating wines to accompany each book selected by Bacon.
Cabernet Sauvignon/The Righteous Mind:
The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion, by Jonathan Haidt
“A remarkable and original synthesis of social psychology, political analysis, and moral reasoning that reflects the best of sciences in these fields and adds evidence that we are innately capable of the decency and righteousness needed for societies to survive.” – Edward O. Wilson, Professor Emeritus, Harvard University
22 JAQK Black Cabernet Sauvignon
“A hearty cab that stands up and demands notice.”
Boone’s Farm/The Impossible Fortress:
The Impossible Fortress, by Jason Rekulak
“Infused with 1980s music, pop culture, and plenty of the BASIC computer programming language, Rekulak’s debut offers a charmingly vintage take on geek love, circa 1987 in New Jersey… [his] novel will have readers of a certain age waxing nostalgic about Space Invaders and humming Hall and Oates, but it’s still a fun ride that will appeal to all.” – Publishers Weekly
“Regarded by most as the king of all flavors of Boone’s Farm, Strawberry Hill has a rich, vibrant strawberry flavor with a just a hint of hill. Oh, and it has a bite. It’s alcohol content is slightly higher than most Boone’s Farm flavors.” Just so you know: it’s clocking in at 7.5%. 
Zinfandel/Homo Deus:
Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, by Noah Harari
“Harari is an intellectual magpie who has plucked theories and data from many disciplines – including philosophy, theology, computer science and biology – to produce a brilliantly original, thought-provoking and important study of where mankind is heading.” – Evening Standard, London
“A blend of dark fruits, savory nuances and black pepper give this dry, full-bodied wine a unique personality. It tastes and feels big on the palate, finishing with warmth.”
Syrah/Sing, Unburied, Sing:
Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
(winner of National Book Award for Salvage the Bones)
“From the opening pages of Sing, Unburied, Sing, you know you’re in for a unique experience among the pecan trees and dusty roads of rural Mississippi. This intricately layered story combines mystical elements with a brutal view of racial tensions in the modern-day American South…” – BookPage
“Rich fruit leads to intense spice, meat, herbs, and white pepper in a very sleek, full-bodied, and balanced package with ample acid.”
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Chardonnay/Astrophysics for People in a Hurry:
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry, by Neil deGrasse Tyson
“Tyson is a master of streamlining and simplification….taking mind-bogglingly complex ideas, stripping them down to their nuts and bolts, padding them with colorful allegories and dorky jokes, and making them accessible to the layperson. ” – Salon
“Aromas of freshly baked bread, ripe apples and pears, pureed white peach, orange marmalade with hints of vanilla dance in the glass and are the perfect compliment to this wine’s mineral component. In the mouth, it reveals stunning purity and crisp acidity, finishing with gorgeous richness and pure texture.”
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Rosé/Young Jane Young:
Young Jane Young, by Gabrielle Zevin
A variation on the Monica Lewinsky saga, “[t]his book will not only thoroughly entertain everyone who reads it; it is the most immaculate takedown of slut-shaming in literature or anywhere else. Cheers, and gratitude to the author.” – Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Pale copper color. Aromas of nettle, dandelion, crushed shells, wild strawberry, raspberry leaf, watermelon – I love this stuff.” – Reviewer at CellarTracker
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Gruner Veltliner/Manhattan Beach:
Manhattan Beach, by Jennifer Egan
(winner of Pulitzer Prize for A Visit from the Goon Squad)
“Anna works at the Brooklyn Naval Yard, where women are allowed to hold jobs that once belonged to men, now soldiers abroad. She becomes the first female diver, the most dangerous and exclusive of occupations, repairing the ships that will help America win the war [WWII].” – Amazon
“Egan’s propulsive, surprising, ravishing, and revelatory saga, a covertly profound page-turner that will transport and transform every reader, casts us all as divers in the deep, searching for answers, hope, and ascension.” – Booklist (starred review)
“Highly complex notes here – starts with a citrus smack of lemon and grapefruit which then develops into some tropical notes (Mango)… On the palate, dry with the citrus predominating and a smooth peppery finish. Very good.” – Reviewer at Vivino
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Pinor Noir/A Horse Walks Into a Bar:
A Horse Walks Into a Bar, by David Grossman
Winner of the 2017 Man Booker International Prize
“Accomplished and audacious . . . An Israeli offspring of Philip Roth’s Portnoy’s Complaint and Dostoyevsky’s Notes from the Underground [that is] laced with loss and leave-taking . . . Grossman has once more proved himself as one of Israel’s finest literary alchemists.” —Benjamin Balint, Haaretz
“Lovely aromatics of sweet cherries and plums with some liqueur-like richness… Pure, supple and lively with real interest and some finesse.” – Jamie Goode’s Wine Blog
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Fall Book Frenzy Co-chairs Melanie Block and Christie Laird have transformed the Cheek gym at USN into a friendly bookstore. Hardbacks sell for $3, paperbacks for $2. Don’t hesitate to stop in! Event details here.
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Copyright top image here.
Note: descriptions of each wine are from winery website unless otherwise indicated.
Love this!! Such a creative post !
Thank you so much, Vicki!! xo
Love this and loved seeing you in person yesterday!
I loved seeing you too, Kobie! (And thanks for recommending Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane – I’ve added it to my list!) xo
Hello, I am new to your blog. I am a friend of Evelyn B.’s and she knew that I would love your stories. I have been a dog enthusiast all my life and, of course, my dog and I have a constant conversation about life. It is fun hearing about it from your dog’s perspective. I actually voted for my dog (Benne) for president. He runs on the promiss of honesty – he cannot lie -, sincere remorse (when the occasional bad thing happens) confession is written all over his face. Loyalty to his home and family, and just a general spirit of love and kindness. Thank-you for bringing levity into our lives
BTW – A Horse Walks into a Bar, is a most interesting read, havent finished it yet; but quite the treatise on a personality totally exposed.
Georgia McCravey
Hi Georgia! Any friend of Evelyn B’s is a friend of mine! I am so happy to hear from you, and I would have happily written in Benne had I known he was running! I’ve started A Horse Walks Into a Bar and am intrigued. Glad to hear you’re enjoying it. Please stay in touch and let me know of other great reads! xo
clever and fun!!