RED Book Club: June’s Awakening – Josephine’s Daughter, Comfort Food, and Classic Cocktails

There’s something about June — the way the air softens, the promise of long evenings, and the sense that anything could happen. This month at RED (Read, Eat, Drink), we’re leaning right into that restless energy. Our theme: Spring awakening and the tug-of-war between who we are and what the world expects us to be.

For our bi-weekly gathering, we chose Josephine’s Daughter by A.B. Michaels — a book that turns the spotlight on societal expectations and the quiet, persistent strength needed to break free. If you haven’t grabbed your copy yet, you can buy it on Amazon or check out the Goodreads page to see what other readers are saying.

READ: Josephine’s Daughter by A.B. Michaels

Set against the backdrop of turn-of-the-century San Francisco, Josephine’s Daughter is a story about what happens when a woman refuses to accept the narrow path that society has laid out for her. The protagonist, Sarah, is the kind of character who lingers long after you’ve closed the book — not because she’s perfect, but because she’s complicated, stubborn, and achingly real.

The novel explores the question: Who gets to decide the shape of a woman’s life? Family, tradition, the whispers of neighbors — or the woman herself? Watching Sarah push against the boundaries of her world, you can’t help but think about all the ways we’re still negotiating expectations, even now.

EAT: Bread and Butter Pudding

There are few things more comforting than a warm, custardy bread and butter pudding. It’s the kind of dessert that feels like childhood, but with a grown-up, decadent twist. The recipe we’re loving this month comes from AllRecipes: it’s simple to make, and you probably have most of the ingredients already lurking in your kitchen. According to AllRecipes; "This dessert existed before the Victorian era since it was an economical way to use up stale bread, but it was more likely that they used beef marrow instead of butter. Victorian cooks enriched the pudding with sugar, butter, and spices (as well as a little booze), making it more like the dish we still enjoy today."

Serve it straight from the oven, with a little cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and it’ll be gone before you know it.

DRINK: Fish House Punch

To balance out all that sweetness, we’re mixing up a classic: Fish House Punch. This punch has been around since the 18th century, and there’s something wonderfully old-school about it — rum, cognac, peach brandy, and lemon, with just enough sugar to keep everything in check. It’s bright, a little boozy, and perfect for sipping while you talk about books and life and all the things in between.

Book Club Topic Ideas

Looking for ways to spark conversation at your next gathering? Here are a few ideas to get things started:

• How does Sarah’s journey reflect — or challenge — the societal norms of her time?

• Which character surprised you the most in Josephine’s Daughter, and why?

• In what ways are spring and “awakening” woven into the novel’s plot and imagery?

• What do you think the book says about the choices women make — and the ones they’re denied?

• Has there ever been a “spring awakening” moment in your own life? How did it change you?

• Does the comfort of bread and butter pudding connect in any way to the comfort (or discomfort) Sarah seeks in her own life?

• If you could ask the author one question, what would it be?

  
  

June is about new beginnings, shaking off the old, and maybe — just maybe — daring to want more. Here’s to great books, comforting food, strong drinks, and the kind of conversations that linger long after the last page is turned.

Happy Reading, Eating and Drinking!