There’s nothing like a good, unputdownable book! But I do know a few things that can make the best books even more enjoyable!

1. A steaming cuppa!

 

Oh I do so love a good cup of tea with my book. Sort of makes the book go down better. Spice up with fiery ginger for a wonderful winter cup. Or cool those searing summer afternoons with green cardamom or a spot of lemon. Sooooothing! And my reads to go with these: Long Walk to Freedom by Madiba himself. And Autobiography of a Yogi.

2. A case for the crispies!

Pakodas go oh-so-well with books! Books by Chetan Bhagat and Amish Tripathi need the warm comfort of batter-fired spinach, onion, potato or paneer! Long hours of thoughtful silence punctuated by munching! Bliss!

3. Mmmmuffins go best with books!

Murder mysteries and thrillers deserve the company of a moist crumbly muffin. Read Agatha Christie or a P.D. James with something to chew, so you don’t land up chewing your nails instead!

4. One filter coffee, please!

When I’m reading non-fiction such as Malcolm Gladwell‘s Tipping Point or Outliers, I need a strong coffee. Or a science read like Matt Ridley’s Genome or V.S. Ramachandran’s The Tell-tale Brain, I definitely need a shot of strong brewed caffeine. Made fresh South Indian style decoction – one more cup, please!

5. One tall pint of bitters!

Read, swill, savour. Repeat. That’s how a glass of beer is meant to be enjoyed. Best accompanied by books such as Three Men in a Boat. Or The Luck of the Bodkins. Or even Gerald Durrell’s My Family and Other Animals, a hilarious account of his childhood in Corfu. Such wonderful books and a glass of beer makes it a calm, serene and happier world.

6. Books are better with vadas!

Racy reads need a spicy accompaniment! Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code or Robert Ludlum’s Matlock Papers or Matarese Circle need the punch of vada and chutney. Mmmmm!

7. Sandwiches were meant for reading!

There’s something so comforting about a satisfying chomp while reading an old favourite. Pride and Prejudice or Sarah Ban Breathnach’s Simple Abundance. Simple toasted sandwiches so fill that gap, it’s like being in reading heaven and eating paradise, at the same time!

7. A slice of cake for a heavenly read!

Nothing like a sweet delight with romantic reads such as Milan Vohra’s Tick, Tock We’re 30. Or Truly, Madly Deeply by Faraaz Kazi. A divine match made in the oven!

What do you like pairing up with your reads? What are your fave reads and the munchy-crunchy heartthrobs that you dig into when you cosy up with them. Mail us asap at ‘socialmedia.bookadda@bookadda.com’ – and you could win a discount coupon for your next book purchase! Happy reading!

This feature was first published on the Bookadda blog.