Book Love & Coffee Mugs

  My daily bag! Here's a tote made lovingly by my husband.  I chose the leather color and texture as well as the color of the straps.  It was custom-made!  My one request was a large pocket on the outside - particularly for sunglasses and keys.  And yes, there are two additional pockets on the inside. During quarantine and all our time at home he taught himself leabthercrafting and this is one of many of the projects he has completed.  Since then we've attended a few leather shows together where crafters share the work as well as suppliers allow you to demonstrate their tools and machines.  Its fascinating and I've gone from 0 to 50 in a short time learning all about his new hobby.   The great part is that there's always a quiet corner that I can find with my book when I've exhausted by interest and he's still at it.  So now to this book! The Girls in the Stilt House by Kelly Mustian (April 2021) " Set in 1920s Mississippi, this debut Southern novel weaves

  As I reflect back on how my 2022 reading year ended, I'm thrilled with the stack that arrived almost by happenstance.  Several favorites were not purchased, they were gifted or shared as another's favorite read. I've come to treasure those most of all. Nowadays we're gathered less frequently - and rarely press a book into another reader's hands - yet when one arrives by mail I'm just as thrilled and flattered to be the recipient of such a treasure.   Book recommendations are so meaningful, and appreciated.  A good friend of mine owns an indie bookstore in Coeur d'Alene, ID and has shared I'd be a great 'hand seller' - one who listens and then finds just the right next read - handing it to them with care.  That's how I envision it taking place. This stack above were my favorite reads in 2022.  Of course there were so many that didn't make the stack - and often because I listened on audio and don't own the physical book.  And let'