The Rory Gilmore Book Club discussion
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Coffee at Luke's
I read it and really enjoyed it. There were some great essays. I picked up another book from the same publisher, one about "Charmed", which really wasn't that great. But, I think this one is worthwhile for fans of GG. If I still had mine, I'd let you have it.
I like my coffee very strong. I like my spoon to practically stand up on its own in my cup. I love a cup of coffee with a shot of espresso in it. I use a half a packet of Splenda and a tiny splash of cream.edit 1: I am severely addicted. If I don't have coffee, I get headaches and jitters. Yep, that's right. NOT drinking coffee gives me jitters. And I'm not very pleasant to be around without coffee in my system.
I like my coffee caffeinated. Probably the only kinds of coffee I prefer not to drink are very weak coffee and instant coffee. My husband and I routinely drink day-old coffee first thing in the morning. We're moving up though, because now we store in in carafes overnight instead of just leaving it in the drip coffee pot. Who can wait to make a fresh pot first thing in the morning? Especially when there is ready-made stuff left over from the day before! Funny, when we make a fresh pot, we always grind the beans. So, my husband and I appreaciate both "good" coffee and "bad" coffee. My dependence on caffeine is a way in which I truly identify with Lorelai.I have a Tinkerbell night shirt that says, "I need a visit from the Coffee Fairy." We have a children's CD with a song that goes, "M-O-M-M-Y needs C-O-F-F-E-E. D-A-D-D-Y needs C-O-F-F-E-E." Wonderful spelling words, eh?
Beth, glad to hear you liked it. I've heard great things about the Smart Pop Series, but have yet to pick any of them up. There's one on Veronica Mars that I'd also like to check out sometime.as for coffee, even though i'm not a regular drinker, i love that the Gilmore girls love their coffee. it goes well with the book theme.
Day old coffee? You actually have some left over? Like Lorelai if I could have drip IV of coffee I would. I have been drinking it black since the age of 3. In the mornings before elementary school I would sneak a cup. Finally my parents gave in and allowed it. There is nothing more exciting than waking up to the smell of a hot steaming cup of coffee.
I liked Coffee at Luke's. Some essays were really great, and some were so-so, but overall it was a fun book. Fellow English Lit majors will get a kick out of it. Discussing obscure and minute details and seeing things from another's perspective and the like. I liked this one better than the Pride and Prejudice Smart Pop book. Maybe because this show does revolve around pop culture so much and it isn't such a stretch? Beats me...I usually drink my coffee black because so many places don't make cafe au laits the way I like them. If I'm at home it's warm milk and coffee. Preferably in my Gilmore Girls latte mug with the GG logo and the phrase "Please, Luke. Please, please, please" on it!
Smart Pop also published a collection of essays about "Pride and Prejudice" that had some good stuff in it. There was a funny essay by a woman who developed an unhealthy obsession with Colin Firth after watching the BBC miniseries. I can totally relate!
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Ok coffee, yes please. Usually grind up my own beans every morning. Currently I'm drinking some Guatemala blend from Starbucks and it's pretty good. No sugar, but I need cream.
Oh no! Another book to read. hehAs for coffee, I am a coffee whimp. I like mine about as fru-fru as you can get it. Mochas, macciatos, caramel, whipped cream, cinnamon, sprinkles, I love it all (okay, not all together though. ew.) My favorites are Beaners Mocha Caramel and their Peppermint Mocha (Snowmint!). I like Starbucks Iced Caramel Macciato. I LOVE Tazo Chai Tea Lattes. I'm completely addicted to Chinese milk tea--hot or cold. Although I can drink espresso but it has to have like 5 cubes of sugar in it.
Actually, I'm a sugar addict who likes to have a splash of coffee/tea with her sugar.
Megan:Well, we each have a couple of giant mugs before work. My husband cuts himself off at 10 a.m., and I get the other (5?) cups at work. That's why we have left-overs. Rarely have left-overs on the weekends!
I'm with Megan on this one. Left over coffee? what's that?
Beth, thanks for reminding me about the essay in the P&P Smart Pop book about the Firth obsession. How could I forget to the essay that I could relate to the most?!
And Robbie, get a coffee pot with a timer. Prepare it at night before you go to bed, and it'll be fresh and hot in the morning.
You know, I love Starbucks coffee, especially because there's one on my way to work with a drive-thru window. But I read a review of a new book called "Starbucked" today in the NY times Book section, which says that they roast their coffee extremely dark, almost burnt, for financial reasons. I quote: "... rumors that Starbucks deliberately sells bitter, burnt-tasting coffee so that customers will order its more expensive syrupy, milky concoctions." I am not a true coffee connoisseur, but my friends that are connoisseurs all hate Starbucks coffee! Interesting.....I just order regular coffee, not a fan of the fancy drinks.
I so agree with that, and that is why I like Starbucks. I like my coffee strong and bitter. I think Starbucks coffee is made to be turned into a vanilla latte or a mocha, and other cafe's coffee is better on its own. But for me, the stronger and darker the roast, the better.
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I actually didn't start drinking it until I was being nearly starved by a family in Italy in my early 30's. I'd made it eight months living there without it, but with that family I finally caved as I JUST NEEDED SUSTENANCE. So I took the cappuccini they offered - with obscene amounts of sugar. Extremely quickly I was drinking it like the locals.
So how do I take it? Like an Italian... well, but with less sugar (they are crazy with the sugar!). I really only like espresso and basic espresso drinks. Mostly cappuccini in the morning and espressi in the afternoon. Sometimes it will be all expressi, and on rare occasions I will do a latte. (but that's usually when I have some flavor to add or flavored coffee).
I have the dream espresso maker at my house (one of My Favorite Things) so I generally try to make mine at home - a few extra minutes there versus in line for inferior stuff is a good thing. It saves me loads of money, too. I even have a little travel one like the Italians use, so I can make it wherever! I do occasionally miss the coffee culture, but always feel ridiculous standing in those lines then finishing my espresso in moments.
When I worked at an Italian restaurant after returning from living there, I would have like ten shots a day without even thinking about it. My stomach was a wreck by the end of the year! I think I burned a few holes in it!! But I did have an old waiter read my coffee grounds now and then which was really fun.
All those years I didn't drink coffee, though, I drank tea. Then, too, having a British best mate means I'm kind of a tea snob as well. Sigh. Sad, sad me. My favoritest thing of all is Masala Chai, no milk. It's crazy spicy and I used to refer to it as "the nectar of the Gods" and dream about it (literally) when I lived elsewhere.
As for hot chocolate, after Italy nothing here much compares. Remember the movie Chocolat? Well, it has nothing on what the Italians serve! It's like drinking a bar of chocolate. It was so amazing that I wrote a story about it, actually, and was even (modestly) published! I still like it American style, but nothing compares to the other!
Meghan - Beaners! I've been to them! That's cool!
Heather, have peonies, too... I love them! I've dreamed of redoing this one old downtown I know with all the fun shops like you are talking about. (Sorry, I mean Arctic.)
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Arctic or Heather. both work. :) Heather is just a really common name.Your time in Italy sounds spectacular, especially the gourmet hot chocolate. How long were you there and are you fluent in Italian now? I spent a year living in Scotland once but managed not to pick up a brogue.
Peonies would be a lovely addition, you're right. I saw some at the Butchart Gardens in Victoria last summer, and I forgot how much I loved them. The begonias were also quite a site.
I'll also have to look into that Masala Chai you mentioned, sounds really good.
Well -- if it were't for being up all night I'd head for some espresso right now -- these posts have me drooling.And peonies -- so gorgeous -- tulips? did you mention tulips?
And I got pretty much ruined for hot chocolate as we know it here in the US when I visited in Spain -- chocolat and churros -- and I could stand the churros up on end in the chocolat and it pretty well stayed put the chocolat was that thick.. Like the melted chocolate bar youdescribe -- but tasting more like deeply chocolate pudding.
Come to think of it Spain also ruined US coffee for me -- and then I lived in Belgium and that finished it. I tend to make my own or find little local spots -- like the one my daughters found in Ohio this past fall and where we became regulars for the duration of our visit.
Chai -- the best ever was at Cafe Brasilia in Santa Cruz.
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Heather, I was in Italy for the whole of 2001... save a week or so on either end. I was all set to be back there two years ago when I found out my boyfriend had more than ruined me financially so my return is delayed.
No, I'm not fluent. I understand really very well, but was always hired to speak English, so I didn't get a lot of practice in. My grammar is pretty appalling, but the locals would always laugh at me because I apparently had a perfect accent, sounding like a local (I could even do regional dialects fairly well), except for the fact of the grammar. When I think about that happening in English, I really can see why it was so funny. The person would just sound dumb rather than foreign!
Peonies are my favorites... almost all the time, at least. :D Masala Chai is so amazingly good! But most people need the milk in it to cut the spices a bit!
As for you, wow! Scotland! Where abouts did you live? I've been to Edinburgh, Glasgow, & Sterling.
I visited there at the end of that year and was crushed that I only had a few days. It was stunning, and the people were THE most down-to-earth I've ever met (& I've been a place or two). I'm pining to go live there.
To be perfectly honest, I am a HUGE sucker for a Scottish accent. Grrr. So irritating, but it can't be helped! I simply melt. This is NOT good, as I've known enough Scottish men!!!
But the accent thing is not why I'm pining to live there. No, really.
Heh.
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Michele - I lived in Edinburgh but was able travel all over Scotland, and to a less thorough extent Europe, while was there, including to parts of Italy (did you mention what city you were in?). I had a great time and would love to go back to Scotland to live. For awhile I was seriously thinking of applying to a graduate program there, but the plans never panned out, in part due to cost of living. We're hoping to visit some friends there when Aliera is a bit older though. Scottish accents are to die for, I agree, unless they're from certain parts of Glasgow, in which case things can become a bit unintelligible. I briefly dated a guy falling into this category while i was over there. that was an interesting relationship..
incidently, i'm sorry to hear you had such problems with your recent boyfriend. sounds pretty harsh.
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I think Edinburgh is one fantastic city. It's stunning, really. Especially in December right before Christmas! I'd love-love-LOVE to live there!
Oh, and in my brief time there, I did actually get together with a guy. He was so into me that dozens of international phone calls later he told me he loved me. He'd been insisting he was coming to visit me, etc., etc. Yeah. A two line email for a break up telling me I was scary. I wrote back "BOO!" Haha! It didn't occur to me for ages that he'd simply found another girl to plague. Still... he was STEAMY. And the accent! (Slight swooning and a tiny whimper here.)
Is it really expensive to live there? Because I'm really wanting to make that move!
I think I'm going to make another espresso now! Thinking of Italian men always cools me down... at least now that I know them so well. LOL!!
Edinburgh's great at New Year's too, for Hogmanay they throw a great party. Also they have a huge international film/music/cultural festival in August that I've been dying to go back for. Yeah I don't know...as much as I love their accents, most of the guys i met over there tended to be kind of flaky for some reason. probably just my luck though.
It's expensive to live there if you're just a student, but I imagine if you could get a decent job it wouldn't be too bad after the initial transition period from dollars to pounds.
Florence would be a great spot to live too though I'd think. I visited there for a few days but don't speak a word of Italian. I should really move to Europe just to make myself learn a second language. I hear it's an effective method, if a bit extreme.
Shannon - sorry to deflect from your inquiry. I'd be recommending beans to you left and right if I knew anything at all about coffee.
Meghan, I think we mentioned this before, but I too LOVE Tazo Chai. I have at least two boxes of the concentrate at home at all times. One regular decaf and one spiced decaf! Hot or cold, love it. I also love coffee, but when I go out for coffee, I want one of those frou frou drinks. I mean, for regular coffee I can buy the best beans and make it at home, but I won't be making a Orange Suisse Mocha (from Gloria Jean's) or anything of that nature at home. So I get it out. Lately I am trying to not get so much of the coffee drinks because of all of the sugar that I must have in them to enjoy them, so my latest thing is Hot Apple Cider, my fave spot for that in my neighborhood is Caribou. In Raleigh we have tons of great little NON chain coffee shops, but in my town it is commercial mainstream all the way. Oh well, I love 'em all, I must admit!
OH and I always get Masala Chai when I eat Indian!
Arctic, funny you mentioned Glasgow and going to Scotland for grad school. My sister is over there now, at the University of Glasgow for Grad school, talk about timing, the most expensive time for an American to be there! But I am jealous, I love Scotland, have only been over there for a couple weeks on a bus tour, but I would kill for the chance to go rent a cottage and live there for a few months! Scottish accents, love them!
A 31 Flavors of Hot Chocolate Cafe/Bookstore!! WOW!! I would be there everyday. I love hot chocolate. I'm not really a coffee drinker though. It really hurts my stomach. Plus, I cut out caffine when we were TTC. So I never really went back to drinking it. But I love the idea of a hot chocolate cafe!!
And ya, I know that by living in WA, I'm missing out on all that good coffe..lol..but I dunno, thats one trend I dont follow.
And ya, I know that by living in WA, I'm missing out on all that good coffe..lol..but I dunno, thats one trend I dont follow.
Hey Frances, I have a weird question... when you go to Seattle if you go to Pike Place, will you get me a pound of Starbucks Pike Place blend and ship it to me? Hahaha.I don't know if I can wait until May to get it. And they only sell it there. And they won't ship. :(
To be honest..I've been all over Pike's and have yet to see Starbucks there. I cannot find it. And I dont wanna seem like a tourist and ask where it is, lol. But I can go to a regular starbucks for you..lol.
how did I miss the updates on this thread?? ugh anyway..Frances, I'm so glad to see someone who finds the prospect of a hot chocolate cafe as exciting as I do! We should definitely go into business together. heh. My love for hot chocolate knows no bounds and I'm not much of a coffee drinker either. I figure I'd probably have to serve it anyway though just to keep the masses happy and business flowing.
Erica, I'd love to go back for a visit to Scotland as well and have come close a few times. A friend I met while living there recently got married. If I hadn't been 8 months pregnant I definitely would have gone. I really envy your sister though - she must be having a great time! You can rent castles in Scotland too. Another adventure to add to the group to do list. :)
Heh. Nah, you can only get the Pike Place blend at the one at Pike Place Market. It's right on the main drag, the outdoor street (not the covered market). On Pike Place, not Pike Street. I'm gonna change my profile picture to the pic of the storefront.
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Ooo! Here's a funny one...
When I worked at 1650 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC (the White House being 1600), there was a Starbucks, a Caribou, and a Cosi (another coffee chain) all right next to each other. It was bizarre and highly entertaining in the colder months. When there was a bomb scare on day, all of us that were evacuated from our businesses (or pretended we were - LOL) gathered in the Caribou for the show. Great view out the plate-glass windows (very healthy place to stand, don't you know) of the bomb squad carefully and precisely blowing up a gym bag. We were all in hysterics in there! The scary trainer went flying - oh the horror!
Oh, but Cosi had great food! They even served alcohol in the evenings (like in Italy) and had S'mores. No, I swear. They brought a flame to your table and all the makings. It was fantastic! They did it with giant Oreos instead of graham crackers, too.
OMG I love Cosi S'mores!!! They are the best anytime, but especially this time of year! Their chai tea is really good there too.Any type of coffee and caffeine is good with me (I'm like Lorelai that way):)
A hot chocolate cafe with all things chocolate is awesome idea!
Hmmm...The next time we go to Seattle, I'll have to look more closely.
Arctic-I love hot chocolate more than anything. I drink it up until it starts getting warm here, lol. The only flavors I've tried were raspberry & peppermint. I'd love to try more.
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Yeah, when Starbucks had their big anniversary, they had it available at every location. But most of the time, you can only get it there. Maybe that is the reason I like it so much. Hee. I always want what I can't have!
I adore Seattle. I would love to live up there if it weren't for the gloomy weather. But I can't wait to go again! I'm sort of planning to go in May.
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There are only two things I miss since moving to this part of Alaska: trees and big rainy thunderstorms. I used to love blackouts during thunderstorms when I was a kid back east. There's something serene about them.
I love the rain too, but I wouldn't like is for months on end. I get S.A.D. (seasonal affective disorder) if I go too long withour sunlight.
I dont live in Seattle..I live across the Pudget Sound in this town called Silverdale. I hate it here so much. I'm sick of the rain. I've never been so depressed in my life. I'm from Az, so I'm used to all the sun. Hopefully, we'll be stationed someplace with a little more sun. PLUS, theres no A/c here. And it gets soooooo hot in the summer. I'm literly camped out in front of the fan 24/7. I think the only place I love in this entire state is Seattle. I'm going to miss it when we move. Plus, I like it when I watch Grey's Anatomy and I'm all like.."oh ya, I know where thats at" lol.
However..it did snow again last night..and I LOVE the snow!!!!!!!! I'm like Lorelai..the snow is like cat nip to me.
However..it did snow again last night..and I LOVE the snow!!!!!!!! I'm like Lorelai..the snow is like cat nip to me.
I just got back from Seattle and LOVED it. I am not sure if I could cope with that much gray, but I generally love rain and the town is fun. Sadly, now I am swamped at work and will have to wait a few days to gather my thoughts on Atonement. The best (and now worst) part of Seattle was the Starbucks in my hotel lobby. My daily caffeine intake has zoomed up and as I am getting ready to leave for work, I am contemplating getting 2 venti lattes to take with me. Insane!
Did you get to see any snow?? It snowed again last night.
My best friend was a Navy wife in Washington for about three years (they recently moved to AZ) and I'm so bummed I never got the chance to go visit her while she was there. I've always wanted to go to Seattle. Unfortunately the timing just never worked out right. As much as I love the rain I don't know that I could live in it full-time. I'm a pretty spoiled Southern Californian weather-wise. =)
Wow..thats creepy. I'm a Navy wife, and been stationed in WA for 3 years. And I'm from Az. LOL!!
Also, what kind of coffee do you drink?
I prefer hot chocolate or chai tea.
edit: I sometimes dream of opening a 31 flavors of hot chocolate cafe/bookstore.
edit2: I would also sell flowers there.
edit3: mostly tulips and roses.