And don't forget to follow us on social media for even more book recommendations throughout the month . . . 

With each passing day we are getting closer and closer to hosting our Book du Mois Meeting in The Whisper Room! As soon as it is safe to do so, we will be opening our doors to you, but until then, we will continue cozying up at home with a drink and meeting via Zoom. Here's the scoop on our April, May, and June Book du Mois picks, and stay tuned for announcements about the Candle and Cocktail du Mois!

​In April, we will explore Matt Haig's The Midnight Library. In this bestselling literary fiction novel, there exists a library that contains within its volumes all of your possible realities. This library can tell you what would have happened if you had gone to a different college, had not broken up with that old lover, or had the pancakes instead of the waffles for breakfast. Would you visit the library and get lost in its tomes? What if you could return to your reality after having researched all of your best possible outcomes, would you make different decisions? Nora, the protagonist of The Midnight Library, faces these questions, and we can't wait to see what decisions shape her life! We will meet to discuss The Midnight Library on Saturday, April 24 at 11am. 
Content Warnings: suicide, cancer, death, drugs, alcohol, depression

In May, we will get to know the Vance family through J.D. Vance's memoir, Hillbilly Elegy. Vance tells the story of his childhood and his family history as he understands it, dismantling the façade of the American Dream as he does. This book is as much about a man escaping his upbringing as it is about honoring his origins. We will meet to discuss Hillbilly Elegy on Saturday, May 29 at 11am.

Content Warning: drug abuse, domestic abuse, death threats, suicide, alcoholism

In June, we will experience Ocean Vuong’s seemingly autobiographical novel, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous. Vuong’s protagonist, Little Dog, writes a letter to his mother, who cannot read or speak English, describing the events of his life with both compassion and brutal honestly. Vuong explores the realities of race, class, and masculinity as Little Dog struggles with domestic violence, drug abuse, and the inter-generational trauma of the Vietnam War. This coming of age novel reveals the power and joy of telling one’s own story, and is also a part of our Pride Month reading list that is coming soon. We will meet to discuss ​On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous on Saturday, June 26 at 11am. 

Content Warning: domestic abuse, drug addiction, homophobia, mental illness, violence, and depictions of war

Join us on Saturday, February 28, at 11 am via Zoom for a delicious discussion of The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans. Although it is completely free, registration is required (check out the button below to register). The Office of Historical Corrections is a collection of short stories exploring human relationships and how the past haunts our present. We cannot wait until we can open up our Whisper Room doors, but until then our resident bartender, Alexis, has shared her perfect Cocktail du Mois that you all can make at home and sip with us! So check out the recipe, grab a copy of The Office of Historical Corrections in store or at either of the links below, and we can't wait to see you all on Saturday Feb 28!
 
Rêves De Chèvrefeuille (Honeysuckle Dreams)
1 Shot of Bayou Satsuma Rum, 1 oz St. Germain, 1 oz honey syrup, 1 oz lime juice, shaken and pour into martini glass, garnished with lime slice and half sugar rim.
It’s winter and what feels better after a long week of work, or a long week of not working, than cozying up with a good read and a delicious cocktail? The Office of Historical Corrections, gave us sweet, citrusy vibes and we’re running with it!
With winter’s surplus of citrus, and delicious satsumas growing in my entire neighborhood’s backyards, we were inspired to bring this month’s book flavors to life. What’s in this winter’s elixir? You have locally made (and absolutely delicious) Bayou Satsuma Rum, the iconic elderflower liqueur — St. Germain, fresh squeezed lime juice, and a dash of sweet, golden nectar otherwise known as honey. Give that a good shake with ice, pour into your most extravagant martini or coupe glass and viola! If you really want to take it to the next level, or you just enjoy being fancy, give your showy glass a sugar rim, and top your cocktail off with a slice of lime.
Bayou Satsuma Rum is the perfect base for a delicious, soul-warming cocktail. It adds a faintly sweet citrus to the creamy vanilla of Bayou’ silver rum. St. Germain brings the elegance. It’s pleasantly floral and sweet without being too sugary. Fresh squeezed lime juice, key words — fresh squeezed, gives the tartness any good cocktail deserves, and pairs beautifully with the honey syrup! Honey, in my humble opinion, is the best of the sweeteners! Mix equal parts honey and hot water, stir, and let it sit. Now you have yourself the perfect last touch for the Rêves De Chèvrefeuille!
This drink is perfect for that friend who “really wants to get into Rum but hasn’t found THE drink that turns them,” for that winter gathering you’re planning to host, or if you’re just looking for the cocktail that satisfies every inch of your pallet. This is the one! Try Honeysuckle Dreams and you’ll be dreaming about it for weeks!

​Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson
 
ZJ’s dad isn’t just ZJ’s hero, he’s everyone’s hero. As a professional football player, Zachariah Johnson is the star of the team, and at home, he’s the star of the neighborhood. ZJ and all of his friends love to hang out with Zachariah until one day, ZJ’s dad stops remembering things, like his own son’s name. He also becomes angry all the time and has headaches that keep him in bed all day. ZJ’s mom says his dad is sick because he hit his head so much playing football, but it is hard for ZJ to fully understand how his favorite sport, the one that made his dad so happy, could have caused this complete personality change.
 
Taking place in the early 2000’s when CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) was first acknowledged and researched, Before the Ever After shows the impacts of the professional football on the physical and mental health of a young black family. The story is told in verse and explores ZJ’s observations and feelings about how CTE has changed his family’s life. ZJ longs to go back to before his dad’s headaches, and creates several coping mechanisms to deal with his quasi-loss of a father. This book is heart-wrenching but beautiful as ZJ finds his new normal, relying on his friends that stick around even after his dad’s health declines.
 
I would recommend this book to all young readers and their parents. The book’s predominant theme is grief and coping, and may be a helpful tool for children experiencing a form of grief in their own lives. The story is filled with immeasurable love alongside the family’s hardships. Jacqueline Woodson was recently awarded the 2021 Coretta Scott King Book Award, and signed copies of Before the Ever After are currently in stock. 
 
Special Thanks to Libro.fm for allowing me to listen to a free copy of Before the Ever After.
 
-Endya
Follow Endya on Instagram and GoodReads to see more of what she is reading. If you'd like to read Before the Ever After and support Beausoleil Books, use the buttons below to purchase through the Bookshop.org and Libro.fm affiliate programs:

Blair and Endya's favorite books read in 2020. Despite the stress of this year, we read some pretty good books along the way. 

​Owners Blair and Endya have been having so much fun at our monthly Book du Mois Club meetings, and we are excited to start announcing our book picks quarterly so all of us have a ton of time to read and plan around the Book du Mois club date! So here’s our Winter 2021 Lineup:

​In January, we will explore a new thriller that has been topping the bestselling charts: When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole. In this book, Cole looks at gentrification and its racists roots and imagines this process at its extreme. This book has been described as “Get Out” meets “Rear Window” and we can’t wait to see how uncomfortable this psychological thriller can make us! January’s Book du Mois Club meeting will take place via Zoom on January 30 at 4pm. Use the buttons below to register and buy the book and/or audiobook, or stop by the store and pick up a copy!

November’s Book du Mois was such a success! We are so happy with the response for The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. For December, we’re bringing you a holiday romance that will sweep you right off your feet! Released in October 2020, In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren is a mistletoe kiss on a wintry night. 

The elevator pitch: “Mae is stuck in a time loop, repeating the same holiday week with the same wonderful people, and the same two brothers she’s known all her life. One she’s been in love with for thirteen years and one … she accidentally drunkenly made out with the night before she was stuck in the never-ending Groundhog Day loop. So, why? Why is Mae stuck? And how does she get out so she can spend forever with her true love?”

Our Book du Mois Club to discuss In a Holidaze will be on Friday, December 18, 2020 at 5:30-6:30 p.m. via Zoom. But that’s not all!!! The most exciting news of all: Authors, Christina and Lauren, will be joining via Zoom to discuss their novel with us! Our meeting begins and 5:30 and they will hop on at 6:00! Please, email us questions you have for the authors before the meeting to blair@beausoleilbooks.com. We are so excited! 

Click the button below to register for the event (the event is FREE, but requires registration), and get your copy of In a Holidaze in store, online, via Bookshop, or via Libro.fm.