Tag: #bookstagram

Book Series Review: Slightly Series {Wendy Markham}

Wendy Markham’s Slightly Series is an adorable book series.  I have my review below but first…

Happy Monday!  How was your weekend?

Ours was filled with family time, pool time, and friends time.  AKA: perfection!  As I posted on Instagram, I baked these cupcakes for my besties and their families over the weekend and they were a hit!

I love baking 🙂

As I was thinking of a book to review for you today, I remembered this adorable book series that I LOVED reading many years ago.  Have you heard of this series?

There are 5 total books in Wendy Markham’s Slightly Series:

Book 1: Slightly Single

Book 2: Slightly Settled

Book 3: Slightly Engaged

Book 4: Slightly Married

Book 5: Slightly Suburban

Synopsis from Goodreads:

(This is the synopsis from Book #1: Slightly Single)

A heat wave in Manhattan is enough to drive a girl crazy, and for Tracey Spadolini, a 24-year old New York transplant who’s been “left behind” for the summer, there’s even more to sweat about. Her Slightly Significant Other, Will, will be returning from summer stock in September, to pick up where they left off. (Or will he?)

But, in the days after Will’s departure, Tracey decides it’s time for a reality check. Her un-air-conditioned East Village apartment is a dump, her entry-level ad job sucks, her thighs don’t seem to be getting any thinner, and Will seems to have dropped off the face of the earth. So, Tracey, with the help of her friends and one very attentive guy, decides to spend her summer reinventing herself . . . and taking a chance on liking the new woman she becomes.

A refreshingly honest account of universal female dilemmas, Slightly Single is an engaging story of one young woman’s search for happiness.

My Thoughts:

(Disclaimer: I will never post spoilers in my reviews HOWEVER the comment section is completely fair game to discuss any and all specifics including spoilers)

I read this entire series over the course of a few weeks riiiiiiiight around the time I got engaged, planning my wedding, and was house hunting in suburbia while trying to sell my “single girl” condo in the city.  It was the PERFECT time to read these books and I loved going through all of the major life milestones right alongside the main character (not a spoiler…see book titles above).

My personal life was an amazing whirlwind between 2009 and 2010.  I got engaged, planned my wedding, sold my condo in Chicago, moved back home with my parents in the suburbs for 3 months, got married, went on our honeymoon, closed on our house 3 days after we returned, moved in with Jon in his apartment in Chicago, and finally…we left the city together and moved into our suburban home.  All while working full time.  It was such a crazy, stressful, exhausting, and AMAZING chapter in my life!

I LOVED reading this book series throughout that time!  I bought the first 3 books all at once knowing I was going to love them…and I so did.  The bookstore didn’t have the other 2 books in stock and so I immediately ordered them online (Fun Fact: I believe this to be my very first ever online purchase (it was 2009), lol).

Much like with this series, I do have to wonder if I would love these books as much today now that I’m in my (very early) 40’s as much as I did when I was in my (very early) 30’s???  I don’t remember specific details of these books but I believe a major part of the appeal was that the characters were experiencing all of life’s major milestones right along side me.

Bottom Line:

Light, cute, easy reads…especially if you are in the middle of these major life milestones.

Did you read this book?  What did you think?  I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Check back here on Wednesday….I have an INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY that I’ll be hosting for an adorable book!  Can’t wait!

Xo,

Jenny

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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





My #1 Must Have Book Accessory

I am a true minimalist and hate owning unnecessary items (don’t even get me started on the baby industry and how many unnecessary things parents feel they need to own to care for their babies. So ridiculous).

When it comes to reading, I truly feel there are only 4 things one NEEDS to have to achieve the perfect reading experience.

1. A book (obvi)

2. A delicious cup of coffee

3. A delicious smelling candle

And….

4. A BOOKLIGHT.

Thank God for booklights.

At the end of a long day, relaxing in bed with a book is the perfect activity.  Reading calms me and helps to pave the way for a peaceful night of sleep.  Unfortunately, I am married to someone who cannot fall asleep with the light on (lame) and so booklights are an absolute necessity for me.

I am often the first person awake in my house long before the sun rises (yup…I’m often the last one to fall asleep and the first one to rise over here). Nothing better than waking up and reading a few chapters before the craziness of the day begins. Booklight to the rescue!

Whenever I go on vacation, my trusty booklight is high on my list of items to pack. I could never travel without it (apparently unless my destination is here where relaxing with a book is virtually impossible).  Late at night or first thing in the morning reading in the same hotel room as my sleeping family? Booklight for the win!

Here is my old, broken, and yet completely perfect and lovely booklight:

(Slooooowly still making my way through How to Find Love in a Bookshop.  My full review will be posted when I finally finish)!

The backing has long since broken off and the entire thing is currently being held together by painters tape. Adds to her charm 🙂

The one I have has led lights which are both a blessing and a curse. This baby is BRIGHT. As in, if it’s mistaking pointed at my sleeping husband he is immediately woken up (and momentarily blinded. Oops). It can truly light up our entire bedroom which is crazy…and yet amazing!

I bought mine on Amazon many years ago and it came in a pack of 4. I’m not sure why anybody would need 4 booklights and I gladly gave 2 of them away to 2 fellow bookloving friends of mine (Hi Julie and Beth!). I don’t believe the exact ones I bought are still available but here is one that looks awesome (AND you can apparently adjust the brightness level so you won’t momentarily blind your spouse!  Sorry Jon…)

Do you read with a booklight? 

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Be sure to check the blog on Wednesday…I’ve got a super fun (and different) giveaway for you!

Xo,

Jenny

8 Ways You Can Help Support Book Coffee Happy:

1. 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)

2. If you already have a blog, please “follow” mine

3. “Like” my Facebook page (and please comment on, “like”, and share my posts)

4. Follow me on Instagram

5. Follow me on Twitter

6. Subscribe to my YouTube channel (search Book Coffee Happy)

7. 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.

8. Leaving a positive review on my Facebook page

Click the image below to order this booklight through my Amazon affiliate link.  When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo