According to the Internet (a great source for both information and misinformation), today is World Whiskey Day. Since it’s a well established fact that many writers get a boost of inspiration at the bottom of a bottle, we thought we’d share some quotes* from a few who found it in a tumbler of whiskey. So make today your new favorite holiday — settle in with a book, grab a bottle of good bourbon, and don’t forget to pour some out for the homies … you know, Mark Twain and Raymond Chandler.
Photo by John Yam.
Winston Churchill
Quote: “The water was not fit to drink. To make it palatable, we had to add whiskey. By diligent effort, I learned to like it.”
Books to drink to: Mr. Chartwell by Rebecca Hunt
Mark Twain
Quote: “Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.
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Books to drink to: The Diaries of Adam and Eve (This download’s only .99 cents!)
George Bernard Shaw
Quote: “Whiskey is liquid sunshine.
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Books to drink to: Pygmalion (Download it for two bucks!)
Haruki Murakami
Quote: (from Hard-BoiledWonderland and the End of the World): “Whiskey, like a beautiful woman, demands appreciation. You gaze first, then it’s time to drink.”
Books to drink to: IQ84
Raymond Chandler
Quote: “There is no bad whiskey. There are only some whiskeys that aren’t as good as others.”
Books to drink to: TheBig Sleep
* The quotes are also sourced from the Internet, so take them as you will. I did try to get quotes with multiple attributions, though … I’m calling this due diligence, although I doubt a lawyer would.
Carrie Rollwagen is book buyer and co-owner at Church Street Coffee & Books.