Book Love & Coffee Mugs

⭐⭐⭐/5 From the New York Times bestselling author of The Mentor Leader and Quiet Strength comes a book sure to transform your team or organization! For most people, succeeding in life requires mastering the art of teamwork. Whether at work, school, church, or home, virtually everyone is part of a team―and when they work well, teams can accomplish more than individuals working by themselves. But not all teams are created equal. When a team isn’t functioning well, individual strengths can be undermined and weaknesses accentuated, making the work environment a terrible place to be. So what does a truly effective team environment look like, and how can you create one within your own organization? As a former Super Bowl–winning coach, Tony Dungy is an expert at building and bringing out the best in a team. Drawing on his experiences from years of coaching and working with other leaders, this football fable lays out four essential principles practiced b...

⭐⭐⭐/5 The author of  The Cake Therapist  returns with another sweet and emotional tale featuring Neely, the baker with a knack for finding exactly the right flavor for any occasion...   A crisp tang of citrus that is at once poignant and familiar, sharpening the senses and opening the mind to possibilities once known and long forgotten...   Claire “Neely” Davis is no ordinary pastry chef. Her flavor combinations aren’t just a product of a well-honed palate: she can “taste” people’s emotions, sensing the ingredients that will touch her customers’ souls. Her gift has never failed her—until she meets a free-spirited bride-to-be and her overbearing society mother. The two are unable to agree on a single wedding detail, and their bickering leaves Neely’s intuition frustratingly silent—right when she needs it most.   Between trying to navigate a divorce, explore a new relationship, and handle the reappearance of her long-absent father, Neely is struggling to make...

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 From Amazon:   This is an inspiring story of a son and his mother (who is dying from cancer) who start a book club that brings them together as her life comes to a close. Over the next two years they discuss an eclectic array of books and a shared passion for reading. What a treasure this story was to read.  Non-fiction at its finest.  Yes, I knew that since the title included end of your life it would involve someone dying.  Although that made the ending so sad, yet profound.  To have found a connecting point later in life that allowed stories of the past to unfold in a way that appeared so much more meaningful than perhaps they could be been told otherwise. I didn't go look for this book, it found me.  At Half-Price Books , a new find for Ellie and I to spend our time.  I was in the clearance section and it stood out from the shelf. I picked it up, read the cover and put it back.  And then was compelled to take it off again and ...

⭐⭐⭐/5 Having read several of Emily Griffin's other books, when I came upon this one at the library I read the cover.  So timely for having a teenaged daughter and the damage that one wrong move can do to you I picked it up.  Although an easy read lots of powerful lessons and reminders of what it's like to be a teenager in today's world.  Lots of instant gratification, entitlement, social media, cameras on every phone combined with age old themes of competition, secret feelings and high school pressure. Oh to be a teenager is now only topped by oh, to be the parent of a teenager!  UGH!  The author did a nice job of making this as detailed and relatable while telling the story from an honest and realistic perspective possible. Enjoyed this read.

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 Oh how this book touched me.  I wasn't sure I'd like it.  Although I kept seeing it online with such high recommendations.  As it began I found myself resisting the main character.  She was odd and not warm.  She lacked self-awareness in ways she could help herself fit in at work and find own her path.  As the story unfolded I found myself softening to Eleanor.  Developing compassion for her perspective, her rigor and her patterns.  She was surviving the best she knew how, and with the most confidence in herself possible.  I find such affection for stories that put odd personalities in front of one another.  To see how they connect and more importantly, learn from one another.  This is exactly what happens. When Eleanor encounters someone where she can focus her energy other than herself, she too begins to soften.  She becomes part of something greater than her own deficiencies.  Her past of pain and devastat...

As a way to capture all the learnings and lessons from the books I've read I started 2019 with this blog!  Mostly for me to reflect back on why I loved or didn't love so much the books I've read.  Sometimes I remember loving it so much, holding to my chest when I'm finished.  Yet months later I don't recall what it was that I loved so much. A bit more about me: Love my coffee Collecting mugs Theo the cat Finding new coffee spots with my daughter Used book stores Libraries New book stores Books Podcasts Learning Coffee, did I mention coffee I used to think that capturing a picture of a library book wasn't allowed when keeping track of my books.  Perhaps I self-imposed this rule because I didn't own the book.  I've discarded that theory this year and will fill my reading list with books that cross my path.  That may be by way of book store, used book sale, borrowing from a friend and yes, the library. There has been so much fun lately i...