Coffee Talk and June's Mini Book Reviews

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Let's catch up on life off the road over a cup of coffee! I'm having my usual Dunkin with a scoop of GLG collagen and a splash of half and half. Lately, I've been pouring it over ice and it is oh so good on these hot steamy mornings we've been experiencing. What are you having? What would you tell me over coffee?

If we were having coffee, I'd share with you that some of our home renovation projects are moving forward again! When the work started on our street, my hubs put the breaks on everything, worried that the dust and the mud would find it's way inside our home (it did). However, he surprised me this week by taking me to look at carpeting for the upstairs and by calling a few upholstery places to get prices to recover a chair we have. All this makes me happy and I will share the progress as we move forward. The driveway is still on hold, though, until the street is done. They've poured the sidewalks, so it feels like things are moving in the right direction.

It's still here and was just freshened up yesterday!

If we were having coffee, I'd share an updated photo of the mural being painted in the scary tunnel on the bike path. My patients and their mother, who are the artists, were featured in the local paper. I am so proud and excited about this! Every Friday when I run through the tunnel, I will think about what a beautiful gift this is and how fortunate I am to care for such a wonderful family.

They are still working on it.

If we were having coffee, I'd talk about how excited I was to see my son's dog (ok, I was excited to see my son too) last Friday. She is just the nicest dog and so affectionate. While I love my Cocoa, it's fun to have another dog in the family. Tom and his roommate just spoil this pup--as it should be. It was kind of funny, tho, she kept chewing on my wrist brace. I wonder if she thought it was a toy?

It seems like the love is mutual.

If we were having coffee, I'd share with you some of the drama that has been playing out over my high school reunion. It was supposed to be held last year, but, pandemic. Fast forward to this year. The event, which was originally organized by my friend, was railroaded by another classmate who made an alternative plan. So my friend canceled the original event and organized a mixer for the night before the event. Then the classmate who organized the alternative event ghosted our class, completely dropping off FB. No one knew where she went or what was happening. The drama that exploded in the class FB group was both amusing and disturbing. Bottom line, my friend stepped back up, found the classmate who bailed, refunded everyone's money and the mixer is still on. Those are always more fun anyways. The bickering continues, though. Hoping the haters stay away. Good vibes only, right?

I won't tell you how many years ago I graduated...

Whew! If we were having coffee, I'd share all the books I read this month! For my full reviews, follow me on Goodreads.

• Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid is the 'it' book of summer. Taking place on one day in 1983, 4 California siblings throw their annual epic bash where everything comes to a head. I have to admit that this one disappointed me. I'm definitely in the minority and so I may try it again, to see if I missed something...
• Where the Grass is Green and The Girls are Pretty by Lauren Weisberger, who also wrote The Devil Wears Prada, is a fictional take on the college admissions scandal. Another disappointment and I couldn't even finish it. I just didn't want to waste my time reading about insufferable people. 
• Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny was a quirky love story set in a Midwestern town. The main character falls in love with the guy who has been with every woman in town. Beautifully written, this was one to savor. Loved it. 
• When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McClain was an engaging 'literary mystery' about a missing young woman and the search to find her. Of course, one of the detectives has hidden issues that come to life during the story, but it all worked out well. Beautifully written, I couldn't put it down!
• What's Mine and Yours by Naima Coster is the story of 2 families who become connected through a school integration project. The two main characters are the mothers and there is a lot of drama involving them. The writing is beautiful, but I had trouble following the alternating storylines until about 75% of the way through. I stuck with it, though, and I'm glad I did.

And of course, my running book review of Cory Reese's Stronger Than the Dark has a full review on the blog. Have you checked it out?

What would you tell me over coffee? Have you read any good books lately? Have you ever gone to your high school reunion? What's new in your world?

I'm linking up with Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date and with the ladies of Fit Five Friday:  Darlene, Michelle, Renee, Jenn, and Zenaida.