Drinking and Books

Posted by Melissa Howard May 20, 2008

"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis

Everyone has their favorite beverage. Mine happens to be iced tea so Lewis’ quote resonates with me even though I know he was referring to the good old British cup of hot tea. However, it got me to thinking, what do other people drink while they read a good book?

I know that many people like to mix coffee and books, it is not uncommon to see a person in the corner of the coffee shop with their coffee and a book sitting there for all the world to see but completely unaware of those around them. The presence of coffee shops in bookstores also indicates that this is a popular combination.

My local library has added a coffee vending machine at the request of its patrons. It seems odd to me but if people are more willing to the library when coffee is available, then so be it.

I wonder if there are people who like to grab a Samuel Adams when they sit down to read or perhaps there is someone who likes to imbibe Glenlivet while consuming their favorite mystery author’s latest book.

It would be cool to go to a bar and see people curled up on couches in front of a roaring fire devouring a good book instead of ogling the opposite sex. It doesn’t seem entirely improbable either since bars are frequently the location for poetry readings.

It is fascinating, isn’t it? I wonder if you could use reading and drinking combinations to create a personality profile. Hm. Maybe I am onto something.