Where Your Next Great Escape Begins
You made it—and we’re so glad you’re here! Each month at Novel Pairings, we curate a vibe-filled experience that combines your love of stories, your curiosity about wine, and your craving for meaningful connection.
Here’s what we’re sipping, reading, and listening to in September
Don’t Forget! Our September Book + Wine Club Meeting is Sunday, Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. PT
The Book: We Don’t Talk About Carol by Kristen L. Berry
✨ Secrets, grief, and a family mystery no one dared to speak aloud.
In We Don’t Talk About Carol, journalist Sydney Singleton travels to her grandmother’s house in Raleigh after her passing—and discovers a hidden photograph of Aunt Carol, a teen relative she never knew existed. Carol vanished in the 1960s, one of six Black girls to disappear from the same neighborhood, and Sydney is compelled to dig into a decades-old case that her family (and local authorities) never acknowledged.
Caught between infertility struggles, a fragile marriage, and old trauma from her reporting days, Sydney begins piecing together Carol’s story—from diaries and tiny clues to the painful silence that shaped her family’s history.
This novel is a slow-burning, emotionally rich mystery that deals with community, memory, motherhood, and the consequences of what not talking about something can mean. The ending will stay with you for days.
Kristen L. Berry will be joining us to dive into the book’s themes, her writing process, and the powerful history behind the story. You don’t want to miss it.
The Wine: Pinot Noir
2023 Progressive Wine Co. Pinot Noir – Russian River Valley
This expressive Pinot from the cool, fog‑kissed hills of the Russian River Valley delivers lively bing cherry, fresh‑crushed raspberry, and a tart cranberry zip, balanced by bright acidity and a whisper of red fruit jam for depth and elegance. It's light-to-medium bodied, beautifully balanced, and versatile enough to pair with everything from cozy evenings in to bookish get‑togethers. Even better: proceeds from this bottle support a wine studies program that teaches young Black students how to make wine—and this particular Pinot was crafted by Cohort 3 of that program.
Why we love it with We Don’t Talk About Carol
This wine is all about layers—bright fruit, complex texture, a story in every sip—which makes it the perfect pairing for Kristen L. Berry’s layered, multi‑generational mystery. Just like the novel, it invites you to slow down, savor, and uncover what’s beneath the surface. It’s a thoughtful, conversation‑worthy bottle for a thoughtful, conversation‑worthy book.
Remember, you must be over the age of 21 to purchase alcohol.
The Tunes
Secrets, grief, and family mysteries—this playlist for We Don’t Talk About Carol blends soulful R&B, indie pop, and timeless classics from artists like Solange, Sampha, Stevie Wonder, and Brittany Howard. Tender yet resilient, it’s the perfect soundtrack for uncovering the truth.
This is YOUR Space
This membership is your invitation to pause, unplug, and pour into yourself. Whether you come for the books, the wine, or the community, you’ll leave feeling a little lighter, a little more fulfilled—and ready to come back for more.