What your favourite tipple says about your reading habits
Your favourite tipple may provide a clue to your reading habits, indicating the style of book you reach for first from the library shelf, according to a new study. Whether you’re a beer drinker or prefer a sophisticated glass of white, your choice of poison may now be a way to tell which great read you should pick up next.
Like a nice glass of red? You’re likely to be working out whodunit in a crime thriller like Robert Galbraith’s The Cuckoo’s Calling. If gin is more your thing you’ll probably be mixing it with a mystery such as Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. And if you possess a well-thumbed copy of Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James then there’s nothing you like better than a flute of Prosecco to add a bit more fizz to your erotica.
History lovers prefer to keep a clear head with fans of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall opting for a nice cup of tea or coffee to help them keep track of events while followers of Fantasy titles rely on energy drinks to get them through marathon stints of multi-volume blockbusters like J R R Martin’s Game of Thrones.
In total 16 drinks and reading genres were matched by the study, which was undertaken for the launch of Trouble Brewing, written by Paul Carroll, a light-hearted comedy that follows the fortunes of a down on his luck celebrity chef trying to save a small Yorkshire brewery.
Leading UK psychologist David Holmes said of the study: “Our personal preference when it comes to beverage choice, whether alcoholic or not, is a signature of our personal tastes – how we identify ourselves or wish to be seen. It’s also indicative of our choice in literature, which is for most a form of escapism, such as living another life, either akin to our own or totally the opposite.
“If we take gin for example, it is a simple spirit flavoured with juniper. Yet behind the façade is a complex spirit with a rich history. Therefore, if you’re a gin drinker one would expect an inquisitive and logical person at heart, so Mystery should be top of your best-seller list. Those that prefer a classic cup of tea, in contrast, tend to be more reserved and conservative in their choices, so History is the genre for you.”
Paul says: “The pairings are intriguing and I’m happy to be at the saloon bar end of it. A reminder though that people should remember to read responsibly as it’s well known that one page can lead to another.”
WHAT YOUR FAVOURITE DRINK SAYS ABOUT YOU
Bitter: Humorous and light hearted, you like to take life with a pinch of salt. Say hello to your new favourite novel: Trouble Brewing by Paul Carroll.
Lager: Immersing yourself in a good war novel is the perfect way to unwind for lager drinkers. Deep and intense, Catch 22 is your go to classic.
Craft Ales: You are constantly learning and interested in self-improvement. Grab a copy of How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.
Cider: Mature and with an adventurous streak, you make no secret of your love for the horror genre. You can quote The Shining by Stephen King off by heart.
Red Wine: Dark, rich and full bodied, you’re likely to be working out ‘whodunit’ in a crime thriller like Robert Galbraith’s The Cuckoo’s Calling.
White Wine: Romance is the order of the day for white wine lovers. Sweet and imaginative, put your feet up with a copy of Twilight by Stephanie Meyer.
Prosecco: Bubbly and slightly on the sweet side, you love a flute of Prosecco to spark up your reading experience. Erotica is your genre of choice. Try Fifty Shades by EL James.
Champagne: A classic cookery book is sure to tickle your sophisticated palette. Sip on a glass as you read through Nigella Lawson recipes for your next dinner party.
Whisky: Gentle, elegant and feisty, whisky drinkers are keen to get to the facts and don’t mix their words. Factual biographies fascinate you, so be sure to get your hands on The Moon’s A Balloon by David Niven.
Gin: Mysterious and complex, if you like gin you are bound to be an inquisitive and logical person who loves a good mystery. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty is your latest novel of choice.
Tequila: The centre of attention, loud and bold, tequila drinkers love everything about music and are sure to have read Never a Dull Moment by David Hepworth.
Vodka: Strong and with a slight kick, you are likely to be into sci-fi and probably have a well-thumbed copy of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K Dick.
Tea & Coffee: A classic cup of tea and coffee indicates that you are perhaps more conservative in your choices, so a spot of history is right up your street. Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel will take pride of place on your bookshelf and a cup of something caffeinated will help you navigate through the trials and tribulations of Henry VIII’s reign.
Water: Simple and cool as a cucumber, the sport genre is right up your street. Try Moneyball. The Art of Winning and Unfair Game by Michael Lewis.
Energy drinks/ soda: Fizzy, sweet and energetic, you are sure to be immersed in the latest fantasy offering. You’ll have eagerly devoured every copy of the A Song of Ice and Fire series that J R R Martin has released. Game of Thrones is obviously your favourite!
