This delightful book pairing features "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow" by Gabrielle Zevin, expertly matched with a slice of Baked Lemon Pound Cake and a refreshing French 75 cocktail. The zesty lemon flavors complement the book's narrative of ambition and creativity, while the elegance of the French 75 adds a touch of celebration to the reading experience. Together, these elements create a harmonious blend that's perfect for an afternoon of literary exploration and culinary indulgence.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
For the Lemon Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper for easier removal.
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the eggs and lemon: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the lemon juice and zest.
- Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix the batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare the glaze: While the cake is baking, make the lemon glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest (if using) until smooth.
- Glaze the cake: Once the cake has finished baking, let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Drizzle the lemon glaze over the cooled cake.
- Serve: Slice the lemon pound cake and serve. It’s perfect on its own or with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
A novel about the enduring bond between childhood friends who come together as adults to create a video game that shapes an industry. Exploring themes of friendship, ambition, and love, it's a tender, inventive tale of two creative minds navigating life's complexities.
ONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES’ BEST BOOKS OF THE 21ST CENTURY • A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A GLOBE AND MAIL BESTSELLER • A JIMMY FALLON BOOK CLUB PICK In this exhilarating novel by the best-selling author of The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry two friends—often in love, but never lovers—come together as creative partners in the world of video game design, where success brings them fame, joy, tragedy, duplicity, and, ultimately, a kind of immortality. “Utterly brilliant. In this sweeping, gorgeously written novel, Gabrielle Zevin charts the beauty, tenacity, and fragility of human love and creativity. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is one of the best books I've ever read.” —John Green On a bitter cold day, in the December of his Junior Year at Harvard, Sam Masur exits a subway car and sees, amid the hordes of people waiting on the platform, Sadie Green. He calls her name. For a moment, she pretends she hasn’t heard him, but then, she turns, and a game begins: a legendary collaboration that will launch them to stardom. They borrow money, beg favors, and, before even graduating college, they have created their first blockbuster, Ichigo: a game where players can escape the confines of a body and the betrayals of a heart, and where death means nothing more than a chance to restart and play again. This is the story of the perfect worlds Sam and Sadie build, the imperfect world they live in, and of everything that comes after success: Money. Fame. Duplicity. Tragedy. Spanning over thirty years, from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Venice Beach, California, and lands in between and far beyond, Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a dazzling and intricately imagined novel that examines the multifarious nature of identity, games as artform, technology and the human experience, disability, failure, the redemptive possibilities in play, and above all, our need to connect: to be loved and to love. Yes, it is a love story, but it is not one you have read before.
Discussion Questions
- How do Sadie and Sam's childhood experiences shape their approach to creativity and gaming?
- What role does ambition play in their friendship and professional relationship?
- Discuss the impact of the gaming industry setting on the story's narrative and character development.
- How does the novel explore the theme of loss and its effect on the characters?
- What insights do you gain from how Sadie and Sam handle success and failure throughout their journey?
- Analyze the representation of gender within the gaming community as depicted in the book.
- How do the characters’ decisions in the game development process mirror their personal lives?
- Discuss the influence of nostalgia in the story and its connection to the narrative style.
- What is the significance of the title, "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow" in relation to the story?
- How do the supporting characters contribute to Sadie and Sam's journey throughout the novel?
Authors:
Gabrielle Zevin
ISBN: 9780385549354
Publisher: Penguin Group
Published Date: 2024-06-25
ISBN: 9780385549354
Publisher: Penguin Group
Published Date: 2024-06-25
French 75
The French 75 is a classic cocktail that combines the richness of gin with the brightness of citrus and the celebratory sparkle of champagne. It’s the perfect accompaniment to a delicate slice of lemon pound cake, enhancing the cake's citrus notes while adding a festive touch.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Champagne
- Lemon twist for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Strain into a champagne flute.
- Top with champagne and stir gently.
- Garnish with a lemon twist before serving.