Happy Saturday everyone!

Summer is the perfect time of year for one of my all-time favourite foods – ice cream! Not gonna lie, I could probably eat ice cream at any time of the year but there’s just something nostalgic about hearing the tinkling melodies of the ice cream van or basking in the sunshine outside an ice cream parlour with your friends.

In a town not terribly far away from where I live, there is a place called Hoorays and they do the most magnificent variety of home-made gelato – there’s practically a flavour for every day of the month; we’re talking Lemon Drizzle, Blueberry Cheesecake, Bubblegum, Snickers, Unicorn, Pistachio – you name it, they’ve got it! They even change them regularly to fit in with different events and holidays!

My inspiration for this post came from an article that Penguin Books did in one of their latest newsletters called What you should read, according to your taste in ice cream. Whilst they focus on the complete range of ice creams and lollies you could buy from a Mr. Whippy van, I decided to match my most memorable reads of 2021 (so far!) to some of my favourite ice cream flavours. Here’s what I came up with!

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Eton Mess – Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas

And boy was I a mess after finishing this one! At times sweet, at times sour and with a whole riot of berries and sugar in-between, the rollercoaster this book took me one is totally reminiscent of this dessert-turned-ice-cream-flavour.

Bubblegum – The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley

Just like the amusement of trying to blow the biggest Hubba Bubba bubble, The Authenticity Project was fun, fun, fun – there’s so many endearing characters in this heart-warming, laugh-out-loud story.

Rum and Raisin – These Violent Nights by Rebecca Crunden

A grown-up flavour for a grown-up, edgy read. Rum is one of my favourite spirits: dark, spicy and rich – just like the world building and complex character personas within this book.

Chocolate – Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko

Comforting yet decadent and a firm-fan favourite, just like the stunning empire of Aritsar in Raybearer. I adored Jordan Ifueko’s tale and all of the nods to African folklore and mythology. I’ve already pre-ordered the sequel, Redemptor, and I’m on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what happens next!

Salted Caramel – The Favour by Laura Vaughan

Deliciously smooth yet with a salty undercurrent, this flavour immediately reminded me of the unreliability of Ada’s character in this mysterious and gripping read.

Phish Food – Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith

One of my all-time favourite flavours and just like I could binge-eat the whole tub, I could totally binge-read my way through the Strike novels. With chocolate, caramel, marshmallow and tiny choccy fishies you never know what you’re getting with each spoonful and these crime novels always have me guessing the different twists and turns right until the very last page!

Blood Orange Gin – The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart

Gin sorbets are definitely the new flavour on the block. Fresh, bold and zingy just like the world of constructs and bone magic in Andrea Stewart’s fascinating series. I’m totally championing the female STEM representation too!

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Pink Grapefruit – The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

I can’t eat pink grapefruits raw as I find them way too bitter, but I adore Hooray’s mouth-watering Pink Grapefruit ice cream. Fruity but packed sass and bite just like the awesome, fiery female leads in The Gilded Ones.

Lemon Sorbet – A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J Maas

Refreshing but also sour, this flavour gives me major Nesta vibes!

Mint Choc Chip – Lore by Alexandra Bracken

Just as mint and chocolate go lovingly hand-in-hand, Greek Mythology and a deadly competition come together seamlessly in this adventurous, contemporary read.

Raspberry Ripple – The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

That tangy raspberry ripple winding it’s way through smooth, creamy vanilla makes me think so much of the duality of Mikey’s character as he goes from schoolboy to fierce drag-queen in this iconic book.

Vanilla – How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories by Holly Black

Sometimes, you just can’t beat the originality of vanilla. Returning to Elfhame in Holly Black’s follow up to her Folk of the Air series felt like coming right back home to the world of the fae.

Stracciatella – The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Omg, this story! 💗 Those little flecks of bitter, dark chocolate running throughout velvety, vanilla gelato made me think about all of the harsh realities and poignant issues this book raises and how they are flecked throughout each of our lives.

That’s a wrap! Did you agree with my flavour and book combos? Which is your most memorable read so far of 2021 and what type of ice cream would you pair it with? Feel free to drop me your favourite reads and flavours below!

Happy weekend Bibliofriends!

T xx