It’s Labor Day weekend! To celebrate, we thought we’d give you, our awesome readers, some book-drink pairings to get your Labor Day weekend going.

FOR WHEN YOU WANT TO ESCAPE THOUGHTS ABOUT WORK: We are a book blog about reading to escape everyday stress, after all…

Book We Recommend: Saving Shadows by Kathleen Brooks
What could be better for escaping work stress than reading about a hot doctor saving the life of an amnesiac whose life is in danger? Even if you’re a doctor and you rescue amnesiacs all day long at work, I bet you don’t help her track down the person who is trying to kill her, all while wrestling alligators and keeping your family from scaring off the girl you like…You do? Well, I tried…

Drink Pairing: This one deserves a good, old fashioned beer of your choice.

FOR INSPIRATION TO ORGANIZE: After all, that’s what Labor Day is all about!

Book We Recommend: Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree brown

You’ll see a more in-depth review of this book on Monday, but for now, know that if you want inspiration for how to shape change (inspired by Octavia Butler’s concept of “shaping god”) and change worlds, this book holds plenty! Emergent Strategy explores the human relationship to change, and is “radical self-help, society-help and planet help.”

Drink Pairing: Sit down with a nice refreshing glass of your favorite tea- the more herbal the better. If you’re feeling like some alcohol would hit the spot, a nice tall vodka water with some lemon or cucumber will keep you nice and hydrated for the upcoming (r)evolution.

FOR WHEN YOU ARE AVOIDING INTERACTIONS AT A LABOR DAY PARTY: Sometimes, you just don’t want to be social while surrounded by people.

Book We Recommend: Never Say Spy by Diane Henders

You’ll be too busy reading to look up and interact with anyone. This fast-paced boring-girl-turns-spy novel will have you turning pages so quickly you won’t even notice that the awkward neighbor from your apartment building is also at this pool party. Want more info about this book? Check out the review.

Drink Pairing: Martini…shaken, not stirred 😉

FOR HOLDING ON TO SUMMER: It’s almost over, but you can still enjoy the best parts!

Book We Recommend: Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller

What do you want from summer? A trip to the beach? Check. Criticisms of college professors? Check. A deep-dive into complicated family dynamics that aren’t your own? Check, check, check. Swimming Lessons is a quirky but serious read (it does deal with a professor/student romantic relationship though, so be warned) that has definite summer vibes.

Drink Pairing: Summer always makes me crave mint juleps. So refreshing!

FOR WHEN YOU NEED A TALKING POINT AT A LABOR DAY PARTY: We get it. Being social is difficult when you don’t know what to talk about. Here’s a book that might make for some conversation.

Book We Recommend: American Princess by Stephanie Marie Thornton

Did you know that they used to call Alice Roosevelt, Teddy Roosevelt’s oldest child, “the other Washington Monument?” Now you do! Just imagine what other talking points this novel based on the life of Alice Roosevelt can give you.

Drink Pairing: Lemonade! You can make yours alcoholic if you want, but Alice Roosevelt didn’t drink much alcohol…see? Another talking point you can use!

FOR EMBRACING FALL: Maybe you’re ready for cooler weather and all that comes with it! In that case, we’ve got just the pairing for you!

Book We Recommend: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurtson

This book’s main character shares the story of her life with her best friend, and I don’t know about you, but autumn always seems like a great time for deep, meaningful conversations with a warming cup of something yummy. It also involves a hurricane, which is definitely timely for the season. Stay safe!

Drink Pairing: This is another one where tea or hot cocoa is the perfect beverage.

What are you reading this Labor Day Weekend? Let us know below!