How fun is this?!? I’m officially a Library Hero! Here is how I became one 🙂
It’s meeeee!
Back in early October, I randomly received the following email from my wonderful local library :
I responded that I was IN! How fun!
Library Hero
And then at the end of January, my friend Allison texted me a screenshot of an email that she had received from the library…with my picture on it! Turns out, this email was sent to 21,000 people!
Next thing I knew I was featured on their Facebook page…
…and Twitter…
…and Instagram!
My family and I visited gorgeous Indian Trails this past weekend and my kids thought it was so cool that THIS is what greeted us riiiiiiiiight as soon as we walked in the front door!
#noautographspleaseThe words written underneath my gigantic picture!My kids hangin’ with Mama!
As we walked through the library, we kept being greeted by my picture! My son literally pointed and yelled, “Moms on the screen! Moms on the screen!”
On your way to the first floor bathroom? Stop by and say hello!Have a question for Adult Services on the upper level? Wave hello to me when you are there!
I’m so honored to be the face of this important campaign for one of my most favorite places. How fun is all of this?!
WEAR YOUR MASK, EVERYONE!
My dear friend (and fellow book lover) Megan texted me this:
If you go to Indian Trails, text or email me (bookcoffeehappy@gmail.com) a selfie with my poster! I’ll put it on my blog, lol 🙂
Thank you, Indian Trails, for reaching out to ask me to be a part of this! I would love to do it again for you in the future….next time I promise to wear makeup and properly style my hair, lol 😉
And speaking of Indian Trails, I’m so excited about their new App which has now officially launched! You can find it in the Google Play Store and in the Apple Store (search Indian Trails Public Library). You KNOW I got mine all set up immediately! It’s GREAT and very user friendly!
I hope you are having a lovely day! Don’t forget to WEAR YOUR MASK!
Xo,
Your Favorite Library Hero 🙂
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I have so many random thoughts to share with you today that I decided to dedicate an entire post to them, lol. I actually think I will do this as a regular series on Book Coffee Happy 🙂 Welcome to the the first installment of Random Book Blogger Thoughts!
Thank You
Thank you so much for all of your kind comments on my LAST POST. To be completely transparent, I was nervous to write that post and after I finally did write it…I almost deleted it before posting. I was very worried that I was going to come across as insincere and that was absolutely NOT my intention! I was so pleasantly surprised to see that I am not the only one who feels the way that I do. Book related discussions are so amazing and some of the comments on that post brought up such excellent points! I would still love to hear from the other side but I completely respect why you might not want to comment on this topic.
Book I Recently Read
I finished reading Kelly Yang’s Parachutes yesterday. I’ll post my review here next week…stay tuned!
A Book Poll
Thank you to everyone who has answered my poll on Instagram! SO many of you did and I appreciate the advice! I have these 2 books both currently checked out of the library and I truly couldn’t decide which to read next…I’ve heard great things about both! Here are the final results! Excited to start reading Invisible Girl tonight 🙂
My Daughter’s Homework
My daughter’s 3rd grade teacher has assigned each student to read for 20 minutes each day and it has quickly turned into one of my favorite times of the entire day! She grabs a book, I grab a book, my son grabs a book, and the 3 of us cuddle up and silently read for 20 minutes. I light a candle and have a mug of steaming coffee. HEAVEN. I promised her that whenever she needs to read for homework, I will ALWAYS join her! I love, love, love this time in the day. NOTE: The second that 20 minute timer goes off, my children literally RUN out of the room…but you KNOW Mama stays and finishes whatever chapter she’s in the middle of, lol.
This Book Blogger’s Biggest Fan
Nobody on Earth has a more wonderful father than I. He reads every single post I write and always has such wonderful and supportive things to say. I LOVE YOU, DAD!
Children’s Book Giveaway
I have an AWESOME giveaway coming up on Wednesday for a BEAUTIFUL children’s book! This book truly speaks directly to my heart and I’m so excited to share it with you! Be sure to check back here on Wednesday for your chance to win.
Your turn…tell me something random in the comments below!
Xo,
Jenny
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According to an online dictionary, a “Trigger Warning” is defined as: A Statement at the start of a piece of writing, video, etc. alerting the reader or viewer to the fact that it contains potentially distressing material (often used to introduce a description of such content)
Thankfully I don’t have any topics that are a true “trigger” for me. There are definitely topics that I REALLY, REALLY don’t like reading about…child abuse, child abduction, animal abuse, death of a parent, death of a child, death of a spouse, terminal illness, etc.
I can see how people would most definitely appreciate a warning before they willingly expose themselves to reading something potentially triggering. I would imagine this would especially ring true if they can make those connections in their own life which might make the book feel exceptionally “real”. I completely understand how people could feel like that! However I….
actually really hate trigger warnings.
If you have been a reader of mine for any length of time you know my absolute DETEST for spoilers and often I find trigger warnings to be huge spoilers for me! For example…let’s take the book that I am currently reading:
This is the very first page of the book:
So now I’m reading this book knowing that at any moment someone is about to get sexually assaulted. It has taken my focus away from other story lines and has turned each character into a potential assaulter. Every time a new character is introduced, I immediately wonder if he/she will eventually turn into a rapist! I wish I knew nothing about this part of the book before reading.
My favorite tv show EVER actually had a trigger warning at the very beginning of the episode last week. I found this so strange because if you watch Shameless, you know that EVERY episode contains MULTIPLE potential triggers! I wonder why last week was the first time viewers were “warned”…???
Looking back, I’m wondering if Tampa by Alissa Nutting has any trigger warnings listed at the beginning? That book was HANDS DOWN the most disturbing book I have ever read and although I wouldn’t have wanted to read the triggers ahead of time, I can absolutely see how others would. You can read the synopsis and my review of that vile book HERE.
I feel fortunate that I don’t have any true “triggers”. That said, I can fully appreciate that other people do. What could constitute a “spoiler” for me could be so much more for someone with a true “trigger” and even just reading about a triggering event could be catastrophic for them.
I wish there was a way where people who appreciate trigger warnings could be privy to them and those people who don’t want to know ahead of time…wouldn’t have to??
This is exactly why I never include trigger warnings on any of my reviews (except for Parachutes….it’s literally written on the very first page of the book). I respect other reviewers/bloggers who choose to include these trigger warnings in their reviews but I personally dislike reading reviews which include them if I haven’t yet read the book.
I know my thoughts on this most definitely have the potential to be highly unpopular and that’s totally ok! I’d love to hear your (respectful) thoughts on both sides of this.
Do you appreciate trigger warnings or would you rather read the book (or watch the movie/tv show, etc.) without them? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Happy Friday! I hope your weekend is filled with love and BOOKS!
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I first saw KJ Dell’Antonia’s The Chicken Sisters when I browsing the shelves at the most amazing bookstore I’ve ever visited. I read the back cover on the book and immediately knew that I wanted to read and review it! Reality tv + small town+ family relationships??? Count me IN!
After I took the above picture, my kids each took a side of the wishbone and made a wish as they pulled it apart. My daughter won. My son cried. I digress….
Goodreads Synopsis of The Chicken Sisters {KJ Dell’Antonia}
Three generations. Two chicken shacks. One recipe for disaster.
In tiny Merinac, Kansas, Chicken Mimi’s and Chicken Frannie’s have spent a century vying to serve up the best fried chicken in the state–and the legendary feud between their respective owners, the Moores and the Pogociellos, has lasted just as long. No one feels the impact more than thirty-five-year-old widow Amanda Moore, who grew up working for her mom at Mimi’s before scandalously marrying Frank Pogociello and changing sides to work at Frannie’s. Tired of being caught in the middle, Amanda sends an SOS to Food Wars, the reality TV restaurant competition that promises $100,000 to the winner. But in doing so, she launches both families out of the frying pan and directly into the fire. . .
The last thing Brooklyn-based organizational guru Mae Moore, Amanda’s sister, wants is to go home to Kansas. But when her career implodes, Food Wars becomes her chance to step back into the limelight. Mae is certain she can make the fading Mimi’s look good–even if that pits her against Amanda and Frannie’s. With a greedy producer stoking the flames, their friendly rivalry quickly turns into a game of chicken. Yet when family secrets become public knowledge, the sisters must choose: Will they fight with each other, or for their heritage?
My Review of The Chicken Sisters {KJ Dell’Antonia}
I absolutely LOVED this book. From the very first page, I was alllllll in. I read this book slowly just to savor it, I truly didn’t want for it to end!
It is such a lovely and beautifully written book. Everything about this book is just wonderful! The character development, the complicated story lines, the small town atmosphere, and an added bonus…a behind scenes glimpse into the making of a reality tv show!
The Chicken Sisters was the Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick last December…Excellent choice, Reese 🙂
The timing of my reading this book was so ironic. When we were on our southern vacation in December, my husband had his heart SET on eating delicious fried chicken while we were there. He insisted on us driving 30 minutes to a bordering state just to enjoy fried chicken from a tiny place with the word “shack” in it’s name (he had done extensive fried chicken research before we arrived and apparently this was THE PLACE). Him and our kids enjoyed their fried chicken and fries on a random bench outside of the restaurant with plastic utensils and a roll of paper towels. They all LOVED it and my husband declared that it was definitely worth the drive. This experience was a perfect reference for me as I was reading The Chicken Sisters! Exactly how I pictured Mimi’s!
***Side Note*** Fried chicken and fries aren’t my thing and I may or may not have brought my own lunch of a turkey sandwich and baked chips to enjoy on that bench…oh MAN would Mimi and Frannie have been disappointed in me! I’m so sorry Mimi and Frannie!
My favorite things about this book are the absolutely beautiful takeaways it left me with. Without giving away spoilers, I will just say that this book has so many beautiful lessons within these pages and so many lovely quotes that I wrote down from these characters.
Do you remember the post I wrote titled The Best Books I Read in 2020? I can already promise you that this book will be on my 2021 post.
Bottom Line
Absolutely loved every second of reading this lovely book. Highly recommend!
Have you read this book? What did you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Xo,
Jenny
Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link. When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo
This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support! Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:
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Book Coffee Happy’s newest series where I share the book I’m currently reading, the coffee I’m currently drinking, and 1 thing that is currently making me happy!
Book I’m Currently Reading:
Local Woman Missing {Mary Kubica}
Goodreads Synopsis of Local Woman Missing {Mary Kubica}:
Shelby Tebow is the first to go missing. Not long after, Meredith Dickey and her six-year-old daughter, Delilah, vanish just blocks away from where Shelby was last seen, striking fear into their once-peaceful community. Are these incidents connected? After an elusive search that yields more questions than answers, the case eventually goes cold.
Now, eleven years later, Delilah shockingly returns. Everyone wants to know what happened to her, but no one is prepared for what they’ll find…
Before I fell asleep a few nights ago, I decided to pick up this book and read the first few pages….and SEVENTY pages later I turned off my booklight! I. COULD. NOT. STOP. READING.
I actually just finished this book over the weekend and all I can say is WOW.
I can’t wait to review this one alongside Melissa Amster of Chick Lit Central as it gets closer to the book’s release date (I was fortunate enough to receive an Advance Readers Copy….it doesn’t release until May). Stay tuned!
Coffee I’m Currently Drinking:
14 years ago Jon and I took a trip to New York and visited the site of my ALL TIME favorite movie, Serendipity (for more about that trip and to see pictures of us there, check out THIS POST). I bought a coffee mug as a souvenir that day and have had it beautifully displayed in a cabinet in our dining room ever since.
A few days ago, I looked at my beautiful souvenir and thought…why have I been STARING at this gorgeous coffee mug for 14 years when I could actually be USING it??? Like so many things in life, if you aren’t using it what’s the point in even having it?!? I opened the doors to our display and promptly put my beautiful mug straight into the dishwasher. Once it was clean, my beautiful mug was filled with coffee for the very first time ever!
I swear this mug makes my coffee taste even more delicious.
It’s a gigantic mug with gorgeous pictures on all sides. Printed along the bottom states the definition of serendipity: The art of making happy discoveries, or finding the unexpectedly pleasant by chance or sagacity
So, so beautiful.
Aaaaand my children think it’s hilarious that Mommy has been drinking from a mug with naked people on it…turns out this mug is making EVERYONE smile over here, lol…
Even the very bottom of the mug is amazing:
Public Service Announcement: If you haven’t seen the movie Serendipity, WATCH THE MOVIE SERENDIPITY. My best friend Amy and I saw it 10 times while it was in still in theaters! Such a special movie that will forever hold a special place in my heart 🙂
Currently Making Me Happy:
SNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!!
Chicagoland has been hit with a ridiculous amount of snow recently and I am HERE FOR IT! I have been snow obsessed throughout my entire life and I am absolutely LOVING all of this snow. As I’m typing this, the forecast is anticipating another 8-13 inches TONIGHT! Hell yes! Bring. It. ON.
***It’s worth noting that I may possibly be the one and only adult in all of the Chicagoland area who is happy about all of this snow. My Facebook newsfeed is currently filled with complaints and memes about how awful it is and I’m over here all, “IT’S SNOOOOOOOOOOWING!!!!!!!!”
What are you currently reading?
What coffee are you currently enjoying?
What is 1 thing currently making you HAPPY?
Is it snowing where you live? How do you feel about it?
Xo,
Jenny
This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support! Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:
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When I first started writing my blog, I regularly posted a series called “Let’s Chat” where I would bring up a discussion topic and then share my thoughts and feelings on it. Those posts always brought upon such wonderful discussions! It has been a VERY long time since I have written one of these posts! So today, I’m bringing back the Book Coffee Happy old school “Let’s Chat” with this discussion topic: Do you read the book synopsis before you read the book?
***I regularly use the term “book synopsis” on my blog to describe the brief description of what the book is about (what you would read on the back or inside cover of the book). Other terms that describe this same description which I don’t use can include “book blurb”, “book description”, etc. All of these terms are a bit subjective and interchangeable!It’s important to note that the synopsis that I am referring to is NOT a complete book summary which would include all major points in the book including the ending. ***
Do You Read the Book Synopsis BEFORE You Read the Book?
A few weeks ago, one of my very favorite Bookstagrammers Jenna Stop Reading mentioned not reading the book synopsis before reading a book and it got me thinking…I could NEVER do that!
This is quite a debatable topic in the book blogger world. Apparently some people prefer to read the book going into it completely blind as to what the book is going to be about while others (ME) absolutely, 100 percent read the synopsis on the back or inside cover EACH AND EVERY TIME.
I have no idea how someone could read a book without knowing what the book is going to be about! Like…how do you very literally just choose the book by it’s cover??? Mind. BLOWN.
The very first things I look at while choosing a book off the shelf is the front cover, the title, and the author’s name. Absolutely all important…BUT…then I immediately read the synopsis! There have been PLENTY of times where I pick up a book, I think it looks great aaaaaaaaand then I read the synopsis and I put it right back down. How does one go into that so blindly? (I did once write an entire post called “Judging Books by Their Covers”! You can read that post HERE).
Not only do I read the synopsis before deciding what the book is going to be about but I actually read it quite a few times to familiarize myself with the characters and overall story lines.
I also tend to go and read it a few MORE times WHILE reading the book as a reference as to the characters and story lines.
Now there IS a very fine line between reading the book synopsis and learning a potential spoiler. I HATE SPOILERS. Hate, hate, hate (which is why I will NEVER have any book spoilers here on my blog). You can read more about my hatred for spoilers HERE.
Remember a few weeks ago when I was reading Simon Vs The Homosapien Agenda and I was planning on reading it’s sequal without knowing what it was about? I do think that’s a special circumstance as I was afraid if I read the synopsis to the sequel that it would give away spoilers from the original! HOWEVER, as soon as I finished reading Simon, the very first thing I did before reading it’s sequel was to read it’s synopsis! (You can read my review of those 2 books HERE).
When I hear of a book and want to look up the synopsis online the ONLY website that I will do this on is Goodreads. I have found that other websites (I’m looking at you, Amazon!) tend to reveal TOO much of the book description for my liking. Goodreads always shares juuuuuust enough about the book to let me know what it’s about without revealing too much. (FYI this is why I always only share the synopsis from Goodreads on Book Coffee Happy when I write my book reviews :))
So tell me…do you read the book synopsis before reading the book or do you like going in completely blind as to what the book will be about?
Happy Friday! I hope your weekend is filled with love and BOOKS!
Xo,
Jenny
This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support! Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:
*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*
*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*
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I took a shower on Thursday, January 21, 2021. A normal, everyday shower. And when I came out of that shower, I glanced over at my phone not expecting to see any type of text/email notification as my shower was only about 15 minutes long.
My phone was legit BLOWING UP with blog notifications. Like…every second it was lighting up. Why??? I was so confused! What was happening??? I looked into my blog’s stats and my mouth instantly dropped open. Literally within a span of 1 shower my blog suddenly had THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS of new views???
I still have no idea how it happened but apparently while I was in that shower…
….Google put a link to my Tennessee blog post ON. THEIR. HOMEPAGE.
Whaaaaat?!?
Hell yeah!
So here’s what I know:
As that initial night went on and continued throughout the next day, the numbers on my little blog literally kept climbing BY. THE. SECOND. My husband and I watched as the insanely high number of people visiting my blog climbed and climbed. It was CRAZY and so much fun to watch!
I’ve never seen anything like that and at this point I still had no idea how all of these new readers found my blog! Readers from allllll over the United States and in countries around the world were suddenly reading Book Coffee Happy! It was baffling (and super cool).
Finally, after receiving SO MANY private messages about that Tennessee blog post, I finally started asking people where they even found my blog. Their answers were all the same…it showed up on their Google homepages! A few kind people sent me screenshots:
I sent this screenshot to my best friend and she replied “THANK GOD you look cute in the picture that Google chose of you!” 😂🤷🏻♀️👍🏼 Turns out to be the most famous selfie I’ve ever taken, lol.
So here we are, 8 days later, and THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF NEW PEOPLE HAVE VISITED MY BLOG. I’ve received so many new blog followers/subscribers, new Facebook followers, and new Instagram followers! The amount of visitors to my blog continues to climb and climb each day, each hour, each minute, each SECOND! It has been FUN and definitely a huge highlight of my blogging journey thus far 🙂
So…it’s probably a good idea to introduce myself since many of you are new clearly around here 🙂
I’m Jenny! I’m a former teacher and am now a stay at home mom to my 2 young children. I absolutely LOVE being a stay at home mom and it was always my dream to be one. I truly treasure this time in my life! I will always and forever be thankful for my amazing husband for so many things including working so hard so I can stay home with our kids. I have always been an avid reader and I have always loved participating in book discussions! People used to ask me ALL. THE. TIME. for book suggestions and so 2.5 years ago, I decided to start writing this blog. It has morphed into such a creative outlet for me, and I have loved all of the opportunities it has provided! It’s mostly a book blog with bits of my personal life sprinkled in. I review books, lead book discussions, host book giveaways, etc.
Thank you to everyone for your support and love! If you are new here…welcome! The more blog followers I have, the larger our book community can grow! I’m so glad to have you here. And a special thank you to Google…I have NO CLUE how all of this happened but it’s been such fun! I so hope it will happen again!
If anyone has insight into how this could have happened, SEO (search engine optimization) knowledge, etc. please send me an email (bookcoffeehappy@gmail.com). I’d love to pick your brain!
Oh and HERE is a link to the (now apparently famous, lol) Tennessee blog post that has now been viewed thousands upon thousands upon thousands of times 🙂
Happy Friday! May your weekend be filled with love and books! I’ll be back here on Monday with a post for you containing 2 book reviews…see you then!
Xo,
Jenny
This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support! Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:
*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*
*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*
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For the love of GOD thank goodness I didn’t read Ruth Ware’s One by One while I was stuck on that mountain in Tennessee! For REAL. It’s insane to me that I actually had it packed in my suitcase! No words can explain how thankful I am that I chose not to open the cover until I was safely back at home and not freezing and hungry while snowed in on top of that mountain. Omg. That would NOT have been a good choice. Nope, not a good choice at all. Holy hell. Once I safely returned home with heat, food, and a working vehicle was when I decided to read and review this one. Yikes!
Synopsis of One by One {Ruth Ware}:
My Review of One by One {Ruth Ware}:
Some of the characters were very well developed while some lacked some pretty big character development and as a result…I kept confusing everyone throughout the ENTIRE book! Pair this with the fact that some of the characters had some pretty unique and possibly gender neutral names (Inigo, Ani, Tiger, etc.) and I truly had no idea who anyone was while reading. This is a MAJOR con and the number one thing that I absolutely hated about this book…I couldn’t keep anyone straight! I spent the majority of this book feeling frustrated by this and wasn’t able to properly focus on the story lines because I was too busy trying to figure out who everyone was! Ugh.
There were 2 major ongoing topics in this book that I have absolutely zero background knowledge of and as a result I had to do some Googling while reading. The inner workings of a tech company? The terminology and logistics of skiing? I truly know nothing about either and my lack of background knowledge was a definite hindrance to my understanding of this book while reading. I LOVE when books teach me new things and although I DID learn a bit about these topics, unfortunately my research is what taught me, not the words in this book. If you are like me and have zero knowledge of these 2 topics, get ready to Google.
The beginning of this book and the end of this book were undoubatly the best parts. I was honestly pretty bored throughout the middle. There were absolutely times where I debated putting it down and moving on. I’m glad I stuck with it because the end was great (BUT using words like “stuck with it” should never be used when describing a book that it supposed to be enjoyable sooooo…)
I’ve now read 4 Ruth Ware books. The Woman in Cabin 10…I don’t believe I ever reviewed this on my blog? I read it years ago. I remember really liking it, not necessarily loving it? The Turn of the Key…LOVED LOVED LOVED it! You can read my review of that book HERE. In A Dark, Dark, Wood…I read this over the summer and put it down without finishing. You can read more of my thoughts on that book HERE.
Bottom Line:
I wish the whole book could have somehow just consisted of the beginning and the ending…the entire middle was pretty boring.
Have you read this book? What did you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Xo,
Jenny
Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link. When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo
This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support! Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:
*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*
*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*
*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*
*If you already have a blog, please “follow” mine*
*”Like” my Facebook page (and please comment on, “like”, and share my posts)*
*Clicking and buying products through my Amazon Affiliate links. The cost to you is exactly the same and I receive a tiny commission off of your purchases.*
I love when Book Coffee Happy can participate in WWW! The Three Ws: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next?
Thanks so much to Sam from Taking on a World of Words for hosting this fun weekly post! I know it’s supposed to be posted each Wednesday…but…we can pretend today is Wednesday, right?
What Are You Currently Reading?
Goodreads Syopsis of Simon Vs The Homo Sapians Agenda {Becky Albertelli}:
Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.
With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met.
This is the second book that I’ve read by Becky Albertalli. I absolutely loved, loved, LOVED What If It’s Us! If you haven’t yet read that book, I highly recommend that you do. You can read it’s synopsis and my glowing review of it HERE. Based upon that book, I have high expectations for Simon Vs The Homo Sapians Agenda! I’ll post a full review once I finish reading.
What Did You Recently Finish Reading?
Synopsis of One by One {Ruth Ware}:
I’ll have my review of this book posted here next week!
What Do You Think You’ll Read Next?
So this is a bit up in the air. If I end up loving Simon Vs The Homo Sapians Agenda, I will then read it’s sequel:
***This would be where I would normally insert the book synopsis BUT you know how much I loathe spoilers so I don’t even want to look it up. So basically I have no idea what this book is about other than it is the sequel to the book I’m currently reading, lol. Could be about zombies, could be about cupcakes, could be a romance, could be a thriller…your guess is as good as mine???***
Now if I end up finishing Simon Vs The Homo Sapians Agenda and have zero desire to read it’s sequel, I think I may read this book next:
Goodreads Synopsis of Every Last Secret {A.R. Torre}:
Welcome to the neighborhood. Watch your husband, watch your friends, and watch your back.
Cat Winthorpe has worked hard to get what she has: a gorgeous home; social standing; and William, her successful, handsome husband. Then a friendly new couple moves into the estate next door. While cautious, a good neighbor like Cat greets them with open arms and warm hospitality.
Neena Ryder isn’t a fellow lady of leisure. A life coach with off-the-rack dresses, personal issues, and a husband who hasn’t delivered, she’s anxious to move up in the world. This beautiful new town is a step in the right direction. It’s also making Neena aware of what she doesn’t have. Namely, William. When Neena’s infatuation escalates into obsession, it’s just a matter of eliminating a few obstacles to get the life she wants. The life next door.
As Neena’s secret fixation grows, so does her friendship with Cat. But beneath their cordial interactions is a wealth of temptations, secrets, and toxic jealousy. For both women, the desire for a perfect life can turn perfectly dangerous.
Sounds so good, right? I’ll let you know…
Happy Friday! As always, I hope your weekend is filled with love and BOOKS!
Have you read any of these books? What did you think (no spoilers)? What are you currently reading? I’d love to hear in the comments below!
Xo,
Jenny
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As a book lover, a book blogger, a book reviewer, and an overall book ADDICT, I’ve been to my fair share of bookstores. I love everything about bookstores….the peaceful tranquility I feel the moment I step in the door, the delicious smell of the books, the beautiful covers of pieces of literature lining the shelves. I have been to some AMAZING bookstores but I think this gem of a bookstore might just be my most favorite.
Hiiiii!
On our recent trip to Tennessee (that would be the trip where we were trapped on top of a mountain with no power and little food…you can read that full crazy story HERE), I came across the most amazing bookstore I have ever visited in a totally random way!
My husband has a MoonPie obsession. Yes you read that correctly…MoonPies. What is a MoonPie you ask? From Wikipedia:
A moon pie, stylized as MoonPie,[1] is an American confection, popular across much of the United States, which consists of two round graham cookies, with marshmallow filling in the center, dipped in a flavored coating. The traditional pie is approximately 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter. A smaller version, called a mini moon pie, is approximately half the size, and a double-decker moon pie of the traditional diameter features a third cookie and attendant layer of marshmallow. The five main flavors are chocolate, vanilla, banana, strawberry, and salted caramel. Orange and coconut make seasonal appearances during the MardiGras parading season.
Jon absolutely LOVES them.
So picture it: The 4 of us were driving along through Pigeon Forge, TN on our way back to our cabin in Gatlinburg when suddenly Jon literally yelled “MOONPIES!!!! AND A BOOK WAREHOUSE FOR MOM!!!!” and made a sharp turn into a parking lot. I looked up at the sign that caught his attention and sure enough…we were at a building which apparently housed not only MoonPies but…BOOKS?!?
I’ll admit, I didn’t have very high hopes when getting out of the car. I mean, how random! MoonPies and…books? Like, how do those 2 things even go together???
The Most Amazing Bookstore I’ve Ever Visited
Once I walked in the door of the MoonPie General Store and Book Warehouse, I was pleasantly surprised to find a LOVELY bookstore to my right! My husband found a LOVELY selection of Moon Pies to his left! A building truly made just for us 🙂 Naturally we each took a kid, said good bye to each other, and set off to explore in opposite directions 🙂
My first impression was that I was greeted with a very nice and lovely bookstore. I was happy to explore! Little did I know what I would eventually discover!
Paula Deen!Dolly Parton is everywhere in this town!
My daughter and I walked around and happily poured through the stacks. Everything was GOOD when suddenly…
The true most hidden gem of the entire experience…
THE BASEMENT.
When I walked down those stairs, I was expecting a few shelves of clearance books. I was most definitely NOT expecting…THIS.
True or false…I gasped when I got to the bottom of the staircase. True. 100 percent true.
Oh. My.
I’m still not entirely sure how MoonPies and books go together but I’m so here for it…???
I could have spent HOURS in that basement! My true version of heaven! Some of the books organized, some of the books unorganized, some books are brand new, some books are used, all of the books AMAZING. Literally THOUSANDS of treasures down in that basement. A book lover’s DREAM.
I told my daughter that she could pick any book from the store and she chose this one (from the upstairs bookstore):
And I should probably mention the other half of the massive upstairs building dedicated to…MoonPies?!?
My husband was in absolute HEAVEN and bought lots of MoonPies as souvenirs.
2 days after our initial visit, it was a very rainy day (which later turned into snow which would be how we got stuck on that mountain). What is better to do on a rainy day…than to go BACK to the hidden gem of a bookstore! You KNOW I did! However this time, I went STRAIGHT to that basement. Perfection.
I didn’t end of buying anything on that second trip but I absolutely LOVED walking around. Jon bought more MoonPies 🙂 Chocolate, chocolate mint, strawberry, and vanilla. Some full sized, some mini sized!
3 weeks later and our pantry still contains LOTS of MoonPies. He stocked up!
If you are ever in the area, this place is a MUST visit! HERE is their website where you can learn more including the many other products they carry and it’s exact Pigeon Forge address. When we go back to Tennessee (which we absolutely will one day…maaaaabye just not during the winter), I will be sure to set aside an entire afternoon to walk through this store alllllll by myself. Scratch that…I will be sure to set aside an entire afternoon to walk through THAT BASEMENT alllllll by myself!
If my husband and I ever decide to renew our wedding vows, I kind of feel like this would be the perfect venue for us amongst the Moon Pies and books, lol! It’s like this random pairing of goods was created and housed together in a building especially for the 2 of us! Perfect 🙂
Do you like MoonPies? Have any of you been to the MoonPie General Store and Book Warehouse? What is the best bookstore you have ever visited?
Xo,
Jenny
This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support! Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:
*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*
*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*
*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*
*If you already have a blog, please “follow” mine*
*”Like” my Facebook page (and please comment on, “like”, and share my posts)*
*Clicking and buying products through my Amazon Affiliate links. The cost to you is exactly the same and I receive a tiny commission off of your purchases.*
Book Coffee Happy 