See that glass of wine there? I had that on June 21st of last year. I share it because it was my first glass of wine since I think the spring of 2020. You might also notice it’s a commemorative glass, one that my husband and I received at our graduation from Concordia University, Ann Arbor. Believe it or not, we don’t own any actual wine glasses, even though that’s all we ever drink, so commemorative rock glasses for us! (Since taking that picture, I’ve learned that glass is called an old-fashioned glass or rock glass, which is supposed to be used for whiskey. My apologies if I offend any wine drinkers or whiskey aficionados.) Additionally, I distinctly remember drinking that specific glass of wine, and not only because it was my first in a couple of years. I had found that bottle of wine at Walmart not long before and thought it looked like one we’d like (it was a really pretty bottle, too). That night, when I sat down to read Liturgical Worship (which is a great read, by the way), I decided to make wine my book-drink of choice instead of the typical tea or hot chocolate (I know, I know, we live an exciting life here). Well, I had almost finished it when I stopped and thought, “Wait a second. What day is today?” Sure enough, that first glass would also be my last for a while yet! I am actually typing this out while holding my baby girl.

Now, you might be asking why I keep reading and reviewing these books about whiskey. I can’t drink and I don’t even know if I like whiskey. When I do drink, as I mentioned, it’s usually wine, and very sweet wine at that. And while I like his stories, there wasn’t even a Nessie sighting in this book (😔), and I’ve never had a Big Mac (please don’t cut me off from the rest of your books, Rev. Thoma). So why do I keep going back to a whiskey narrative? Well, I really like short stories, and I enjoy learning about new things (for example, there are a few whiskies in here I wouldn’t mind trying at least once one day). And I connect to the stories about his family. While the fiction is always amusing, it’s the slice-of-life ones that I treasure the most. I’ve realized this with each child we’ve had. In these stories, I see my childhood, and I see my kids growing up. I notice the things they do, trying to capture the moments as best I can in my mind for years to come (or for tomorrow when I feel like I might lose my mind as they lose theirs). Thoma’s books, while uniquely describing and reviewing whiskey in an often amusing way, are books about life, family, and home. I read them for that, and to share them with those of you who actually drink whiskey!

So if you like whiskey, The Angels’ Portion Vol IV is the book for you. You’ll get some reviews of a wide range of brands and types in a unique setting. And if you love short stories, this is also the book for you. Or any of his other books in the same series. You’ll be entertained, and you’ll learn a little something along the way. And best yet, you’ll get a chance to see the joys and struggles of family, perhaps remembering your own and treasuring the ones you have. And if you also can’t drink right now, perhaps you’ll start a little list of something to try down the road.

Blessings to you and yours,

~Madelyn Rose Craig