Discover Mystic Brews & Literary Views Book Club

SEPTEMBER 2025

Bestselling author Paula Brackston conjures a richly gothic tale set in Victorian England, where Hecate Cavendish—an unconventional young woman with a gift for seeing ghosts—takes a post at Hereford Cathedral’s ancient chained library. Among dusty tomes and a mysterious medieval map, she begins to unravel the lives of restless spirits, each holding secrets that blur the line between past and present. Blending folklore, history, and the supernatural, this magical story explores intuition, friendship, and the power of walking bravely into the unknown.

Tea pairing: Lavender Earl Grey — grounding, with a hint of mystery and calm.

Discussion Focus:

What does courage look like when facing unseen or unknown challenges?

How do we honor those who have come before us, especially those whose stories may be forgotten?

In what ways can curiosity be a form of healing or protection?

OCTOBER 2025

A beautifully crafted novel set in early 20th-century England, this story follows Esme as she collects words discarded from the creation of the first Oxford English Dictionary. Through her journey, the novel reveals the power of language, the often-silenced voices of women, and the spaces between words that hold deep meaning and worth. This thoughtful exploration invites us to consider which stories are preserved—and which are lost—through the words we choose to keep.

Tea pairing: Chamomile + Honeybush — soft but strong, echoing the gentle yet resilient voices that shape this story.

Discussion focus:

Whose words endure through history, and whose are forgotten?

How does language shape identity and power?

In what ways can reclaiming lost words be an act of empowerment today?

NOVEMBER 2025

Once Upon a River is a glorious tapestry weaving folklore and science, magic and myth into a richly atmospheric story. At its heart is a mysterious girl who returns to life after drowning in the River Thames, setting off a suspenseful and romantic journey that explores the power of story and memory. Diane Setterfield’s third novel invites readers to lose themselves in a world where the river carries secrets and new beginnings, celebrated for its vivid characters and powerful storytelling.

Tea pairing: Smoky Lapsang Souchong — evoking the misty, mysterious river landscape.

Discussion focus:

How do places like rivers hold stories, memories, or magic in your experience?

What role does mystery play in your life or in the stories you cherish?

How can endings also be beginnings in unexpected ways?

DECEMBER 2025

In the deep stillness of 1920s Alaska, a childless couple discovers a mysterious girl in the snow—and what follows is a haunting blend of folktale and fragile hope. As the seasons turn and the line between reality and myth grows thin, the story gently explores grief, wonder, and the human need to believe in magic. Set against a stark and beautiful landscape, this atmospheric novel invites us to reflect on loss, resilience, and the love that endures through silence.

Tea pairing: Peppermint + Vanilla — cool, crisp, and quietly healing

Discussion Focus:

How does the natural world shape the emotional landscape of the story?

What role does imagination play in healing from grief?

Where do you notice the line between reality and magic in your own life?

JANUARY 2026

In a quiet coastal town, an unlikely friendship forms between a grieving woman and a curiously wise octopus. Told with tenderness and humor, this debut novel explores the healing that can happen when we least expect it—and the strange, beautiful connections that guide us home. Gentle, luminous, and full of heart, it’s a reminder that even the most broken parts of us can find light again.

Tea pairing: Jasmine Green Tea — light, emotional clarity, new beginnings

Discussion Focus:

What does this story suggest about the many forms of intelligence and connection?

How do loss and loneliness change when shared—even in unexpected ways?

When have you experienced healing through something or someone surprising?

FEBRUARY 2026

When a kindhearted collector of lost objects passes away, the stories he’s gathered begin to ripple into the lives of others. This whimsical, heartwarming tale weaves magical realism with deep emotional truths, revealing how grief softens through connection, and how what’s lost sometimes finds its way back. With charm and quiet grace, it invites us to reflect on memory, meaning, and the small treasures that carry our love forward.

Tea pairing: Rose + White Tea — soft, romantic, and sentimental

Discussion Focus:

How do physical objects carry emotional memory or meaning in your life?

What are some of the “lost things” you’ve carried—literal or symbolic?

What role does storytelling play in mending what feels broken?

MARCH 2025

A beautifully odd tale of a reclusive woman who writes about a miniature mansion—and the mysterious man who appears to live inside it. As Myra’s quiet world and the mansion’s magic intertwine, the novel explores healing, imagination, and the stories we build when no one is watching. Filled with whimsy and emotional truth, this is a love letter to those who create worlds as a way to find their own.

Tea pairing: Lemon Balm + Tulsi — bright, heart-opening, a little curious

Discussion Focus:

What spaces (real or imagined) have helped you heal or feel seen?

How do we use creativity or ritual to reclaim control or create meaning?

What happens when our private inner worlds begin to shift?

APRIL 2026

A lyrical story of midlife transformation, sacred longing, and one woman’s descent into the depths of desire and devotion. Set on a remote South Carolina island, this novel explores what it means to belong—to others, to ourselves, and to the divine feminine. It’s a contemplative exploration of marriage, motherhood, sensuality, and the mysterious pull of self-reclamation.

Tea pairing: Hibiscus + Cinnamon — bold, sensual, and spiritual

Discussion Focus:

What does longing mean to you—and how do you discern what it's calling you toward?

How do we return to ourselves after years of being defined by others?

Where do devotion and desire meet in your life?

MAY 2026

After personal loss, a young ornithologist retreats to the quiet of the woods—only to meet a mysterious child claiming to be from the stars. In this tender, mystical novel, healing unfolds slowly through connection, resilience, and trust in wonder. It’s a story about how we rebuild after grief, and how love often shows up disguised as mystery.

Tea pairing: Green Tea with Elderflower — grounded, bright, and luminous

Discussion Focus:

What role has nature played in your own healing?

How do we hold wonder and grief in the same hand?

When have you been asked to trust something that made no logical sense—but felt true?