Not every book calls for coffee or tea. Some require something a little more…atmospheric.
Echoes Among the Stones by Jaime Jo Wright is just that sort of book; warm, spicy, and just a little bit mysterious.
If you’ve read my review of Echoes Among the Stones, you already know this book has a serious creep factor. There’s a decades-old murder, a cemetery, family secrets, a creepy dollhouse complete with a recreated crime scene, and enough suspicious characters to keep you guessing.
So naturally, I needed a drink to go with it.
And because the story takes place in Wisconsin, I couldn’t think of anything more fitting than a steaming mug of spiced apple cider while the weather starts doing that wonderful thing where summer finally gives up and fall takes over.
The Perfect Fall Reading Companion
There’s just something about apple cider and a creepy mystery.
The cinnamon and cloves make the whole house smell like fall, while the warmth of the cider makes you want to curl up under a blanket and keep turning pages.
Add a candle, your favorite reading chair, a cozy blanket, and maybe some atmospheric background music. (Although, if you’re reading Echoes Among the Stones, you might want to skip the spooky music.)
You know. If you’d like to sleep tonight.
Hot Spiced Apple Cider
This simple version is adapted from Ina Garten’s Hot Spiced Apple Cider recipe. Her original recipe serves 5 to 6 and uses apple cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, black peppercorns, and orange peel.
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh apple cider
- 2–3 cinnamon sticks
- 3 whole cloves
- 1 star anise
- Peel from 1 orange
Directions
- Pour the apple cider into a medium saucepan.
- Add the cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and orange peel.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Strain out the spices and orange peel.
- Pour the warm cider into mugs.
- Garnish with an orange slice and cinnamon stick.
Then grab your book.
Pour, Read, Repeat
I love the idea of pairing books with drinks because it turns reading into a whole little experience. Echoes Among the Stones is creepy, atmospheric, emotional, and very much a fall-night mystery.
A mug of hot spiced apple cider? Perfect.
Just remember: if you hear something creaking in the hallway while you’re reading, it is probably the house settling.
Probably.
Happy reading, friends. And may your cider be hot, your blanket be cozy, and your mystery be just creepy enough.
