Nothing pairs better than tea (hot or iced) and a book. Whether it’s gossip, royalty, or simply steeping a cup—we’ve got the TEA on your next read.
Books That Spill the Tea:
Elizabeth and Monty: The Untold Story of Their Intimate Friendship by Charles Casillo
Violet-eyed siren Elizabeth Taylor and classically handsome Montgomery Clift were the most gorgeous screen couple of their time. Over two decades of friendship they made, separately and together, some of the era’s defining movies—including Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Misfits, Suddenly, Last Summer, and Cleopatra. Yet the relationship between these two figures—one a dazzling, larger-than-life star, the other hugely talented yet fatally troubled—has never truly been explored until now.
“In a riveting new book that brings Hollywood’s golden age to life with colorful, well-researched details and interviews with stars who knew Taylor and Clift, Casillo explores the intense bond the two shared.” —People Magazine
“A new dual biography details a relationship that became a Hollywood legend.” —Town & Country
Available in Hardcover and eBook Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Self Care: A Novel by Leigh Stein
The female cofounders of a wellness start-up struggle to find balance between being good people and doing good business, while trying to stay BFFs.
“Just try not to snort your Moon Juice out your nose while laughing your ass off.”—Refinery29
“A darkly witty romp through corporate feminism.”—Huffington Post
“Brutal and brutally funny . . . Stein presents a punchy, bracing criticism of modern feminism’s transformation into a commercialized hellscape of goat yoga, healing crystals, and ‘girl bosses.’” —Esquire
One of Cosmopolitan’s 12 Books You’ll Be Dying to Read This Summer • A Publishers Weekly Best Book of Summer 2020 • A Vulture Best Book of Summer 2020 • One of Refinery29’s 25 Books You’ll Want to Read This Summer • An Esquire Must-Read Book of Summer 2020 • A Book Riot Best Book of 2020 *so far
Available in Trade Paperback, eBook, and Audio Editions.
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Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin
The author of The Aviator’s Wife returns with a triumphant novel about New York’s “Swans” of the 1950s—and the scandalous, headline-making, and enthralling friendship between literary legend Truman Capote and peerless socialite Babe Paley.
“Exceptional storytelling . . . teeming with scandal, gossip and excitement.”—Harper’s Bazaar
“This moving fictionalization brings the whole cast of characters back to vivid life. Gossipy and fun, it’s also a nuanced look at the beauty and cruelty of a rarefied, bygone world.”—People
People’s Book of the Week • USA Today’s #1 “New and Noteworthy” Book • Entertainment Weekly’s Must List • LibraryReads Top Ten Pick
Available in Trade Paperback, eBook, and Audio Editions.
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Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
The Rumor by Lesley Kara
When a single mother hears a shocking rumor outside her son’s school, she never intends to pass it on. But one casual comment leads to another . . . and now there’s no going back.
“Keeps you guessing until the final page.”—Paula Hawkins, author of The Girl on the Train
“A rollercoaster ride to the very last sentence.”—Fiona Barton, author of The Widow
Available in Trade Paperback, Mass Market, eBook, and Audio Editions.
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Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
Want More Spilled Tea? Click to Learn More About Lesley Kara’s Upcoming Novel: The Dare.
Books Full of Royal-Tea:
The Crown Series by Robert Lacey
The official companions to the Emmy-winning Netflix drama chronicling the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, and starring Claire Foy and John Lithgow, The Crown by Peter Morgan, featuring additional historical background and beautifully reproduced archival photos and show stills.
In these eye-opening companions to Netflix’s acclaimed series The Crown, renowned biographer and historical consultant Robert Lacey takes us through the real history that inspired the drama.
Now Available in Hardcover, eBook, and Audio Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt and Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook from The Crown: The Official Companion, Volume 1.
Click to Read an Excerpt and Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook from The Crown: The Official Companion, Volume 2.
Click to Watch the Trailer for The Crown Season 4 on Netflix.
Playing the Palace by Paul Rudnick
When a lonely American event planner starts dating the gay Prince of Wales, a royal uproar ensues: is it true love or the ultimate meme? Find out in this hilarious romantic comedy.
“[in] Rudnick’s effervescent new novel…the question isn’t whether love will triumph, only how. The answer may make you cheer.”—The New York Times
“A sweet story that’s both hilariously funny and as romantic as any harlequin.”—Parade
One of Buzzfeed’s 39 Excellent LGBTQ Books To Read This Month And Always
Available in Trade Paperback, eBook, and Audio Editions.
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Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
A Rogue of One’s Own by Evie Dunmore
A lady must have money and an army of her own if she is to win a revolution—but first, she must pit her wits against the wiles of an irresistible rogue bent on wrecking her plans . . . and her heart.
“A truly delightful historical romance, with oodles of period detail and lots of laugh out loud moments. Evie Dunmore is an author to watch, and this book will delight fans of Tessa Dare, Eva Leigh and Julia Quinn.”—Historical Novel Society
An Indie Next/LibraryReads pick • An Apple Must Listen Audiobook for September
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Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
Click for More Books in the A League of Extraordinary Women Series, including Portrait of a Scotsman—coming in September!
A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Murder by Dianne Freeman
In Dianne Freeman’s charming Victorian-era mystery series, Frances Wynn, the American-born Countess of Harleigh, finds her sister’s wedding threatened by a vow of vengeance.
A 2020 Agatha Award Nominee
Available in Hardcover and eBook Editions.
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Click for More Books in the A Countess of Harliegh Mystery Series.
Fictional with a Splash of Tea:
Vanessa Yu’s Magical Paris Tea Shop by Roselle Lim
From the critically acclaimed author of Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune comes a new delightful novel about exploring all the magical possibilities of life in the most extraordinary city of all: Paris.
“ . . . similar to the sweet fabulist-romcom style of Lim’s debut, this new book follows a young woman’s culinary and magical adventures.”—BookRiot
“If you’re searching for a summer dose of whimsy, look no further.”—Shondaland
Available in Trade Paperback, eBook, and Audio Editions.
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Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
The Peppermint Tea Chronicles by Alexander McCall Smith
The latest book in Alexander McCall Smith’s popular 44 Scotland Street series is a sheer delight.
Summer has come to Scotland Street. The long days have prompted its denizens to engage in flights of fancy. Some, like the Duke of Johannesburg’s plan to create a microlite seaplane, are literal flights, and some, like the vain Bruce Anderson’s idea of settling down with one of his many admirers, are more metaphorical.
With the domineering Irene off pursuing academic challenges, Stuart and Bertie are free to indulge in summer fun. Stuart reconnects with an old acquaintance over refreshing peppermint tea while Bertie takes his friend Ranald Braveheart Macpherson to the circus. But their trip to the big top becomes rather more than the pleasant diversion they were hoping for.
Once again, Scotland Street teems with the daily triumphs and challenges of those who call it home, and provides a warm, wise, and witty chronicle of the affairs in this corner of the world.
Available in Trade Paperback and eBook Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
Twisted Tea Christmas by Laura Childs
An attack on the host of a fancy tea party sends Theodosia Browning looking for answers in the latest entry in the New York Times bestselling series.
Tea maven Theodosia Browning and her tea sommelier, Drayton Conneley, are catering a Victorian Christmas party at a swanky mansion in downtown Charleston. Drucilla Heyward, the hostess, is one of the wealthiest women in town.
As the champagne flows and the tea steeps, Drucilla is so pleased with the reception by her partygoers that she reveals her secret plan to Theodosia. The Grande Dame has brought the cream of Charleston society together to reveal that she is planning to give her wealth away to various charitable organizations. However, before she can make the announcement, Theodosia finds her crumpled unconscious in the hallway. It looks like the excitement has gotten to the elderly woman–except that there is a syringe sticking out of her neck.
Available in Hardcover and eBook Editions.
Click for More Books in the A Tea Shop Mystery Series.
Tea & Treachery by Vicki Delany
In the first of this charming new cozy mystery series from nationally bestselling author Vicki Delany, a New York City expat-turned-Cape Cod teashop owner must solve the murder of a local real estate developer to help her feisty grandmother out of a jam . . .
As the proud proprietor and head pastry chef of Tea-by-the-Sea, a traditional English tearoom on the picturesque bluffs of Cape Cod, Lily Roberts’ hands are full, often literally. But nothing keeps her busier than steering her sassy grandmother, Rose, away from trouble. Rose operates the grand old Victorian B&B adjacent to Lily’s shop…for now. An aggressive real estate developer, Jack Ford, is pushing hard to rezone nearby land, with an eye towards building a sprawling golf resort that would drive Rose and Lily out of business.
Tempers are already steaming, but things really get sticky when Ford is found dead at the foot of Rose’s property and the police think she had something to do with his dramatic demise. Lily can’t let her grandmother get burned by a false murder charge. So she starts her own investigation and discovers Ford’s been brewing bad blood all over town, from his jilted lover to his trophy wife to his shady business partners. Now, it’s down to Lily to stir up some clues, sift through the suspects, and uncover the real killer before Rose is left holding the teabag.
Available in Hardcover, Trade Paperback, and eBook Editions.
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The Tea Planter’s Wife by Dinah Jefferies
1920s Ceylon: A young Englishwoman marries a charming tea plantation owner and widower, only to discover he’s keeping terrible secrets about his past, including what happened to his first wife, that lead to devastating consequences.
“Love, suspense, guilt, and hidden secrets with an underlying theme of race relations seamlessly blend together in a timeless story of an innocent young Englishwoman struggling to find her place in colonial Ceylon against unexpected circumstances and facing cruel choices.”—New York Journal of Books
“Spellbinding . . . effortlessly elegant, lushly descriptive . . . Combine this with the vivid, evocative manner in which Jefferies describes the beauty of Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, and the captivating cast of characters she has created, and you have a superbly written novel that readers of historical fiction as well as women’s fiction will treasure.”—Booklist, starred review
Available in Trade Paperback, eBook, and Audio Editions.
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Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook.
Pour Yourself a Cup of Tea:
Stuff Every Tea Lover Should Know by Candace Rose Rardon
This pocket-sized handbook to all things tea is perfect for tea connoisseurs, tea newbies, and anyone who appreciates a good cuppa.
Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world—second only to water. And there’s so much to learn and try beyond the colorful boxes in the grocery store. Like wine and beer, each tea variety has its own distinct history, source, and flavor profile, from Darjeeling to matcha to Silver Needle. Tea is also embedded in the traditions of many cultures around the world and is shared with others through distinctive ceremonies that include unique customs, foods, and accessories. Within the pages of this pocket-sized guide, you’ll find information, how-tos, and trivia for tea lovers of all levels. Experts and newbies alike will learn about Tea Bags vs. Loose Leaf, Anatomy of a Tea Plant, How to Prepare Tea, Types of Teapots and How to Use Them, and more.
Available in Hardcover and eBook Editions.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
The Tea Book: Experience the World’s Finest Teas, Qualities, Infusions, Rituals, Recipes by Linda Gaylard
The Tea Book helps you explore the blends, tastings, and ceremonies from around the world and create your own delicious tea traditions.
Where does tea come from? In The Tea Book learn where in the world tea is cultivated and how to drink each variety at its best, with steeping notes and step-by-step recipes.
The Tea Book is your world tour of the art of tea. Visit tea plantations from India to Kenya and explore maps of the world’s most important growing regions. Learn to recognize tea-leaf varietals and spot the best types from each region. Recreate a Japanese tea ceremony with a guide to storied traditions and practical implements. Discover the health benefits of green tea. Craft the perfect Chai tea. Try a tasting course to cultivate your sense of tea color, aroma, and taste. Explore the spectrum of herbal, plant, and fruit infusions. The Tea Book covers it all, including history, tradition, and 75 classic and contemporary recipes to steep and share.
Available in Hardcover.
The Book of Tea by Kakuzo Okakura
A modern classic that invites readers to discover a unique ritual that has come to symbolize wisdom, beauty, and the elegant simplicity of Asian culture.
This modern classic invites readers to discover a unique tradition that has come to symbolize wisdom, beauty, and the elegant simplicity of Asian culture. Kakuzo Okakura’s beloved text celebrates the Way of Tea from its ancient origins in Chinese Taoism to its culmination in the Zen discipline known as the Japanese tea ceremony—an enchanting practice bringing together such diverse arts as architecture, pottery, and flower arranging to create an experience that delights the senses, calms the mind, and refreshes the spirit. This edition includes an introduction by Sam Hamill that offers historical insight into the significance of the tea ceremony within Zen Buddhism.
Available in Trade Paperback.
Click to Read an Excerpt.
