Two Book Reviews for you today, dear friends:
#1 More Than Coffee—Memories in Verse and Prose by Lauren Scott
Ah, life! It doesn’t come with a manual on how to live it, but if you’re looking for a role
model to live authentically to radiate happiness from within, I invite you to look no
further than More Than Coffee—Memories in Verse and Prose by Lauren Scott. What
a lovely book. It’s loaded with personal stories sprinkled with heartfelt poetry that
enhances each phase reached in the Author’s narrative. Her resonant heart and calming
voice befriended me from the get-go.
From the preface and the first story, entitled Silver Heirlooms, that opens with the
Author telling us about an old set of silverware she inherited from her mother. To the
last one, Magic, a poem, she had me glowing with gratitude, as was her hope for me in
the preface. Mission accomplished. I’m all lit up.
This Author doesn’t overuse language, and in More Than Coffee, she writes about her
life with reverence. The cadence of her voice reached under my skin, and I found myself
nodding to her words.
This 63-page paperback compilation of memories in verse and prose is estimated to be
a 100-minute read. It is if you want to breeze through it. But slow reader that I am, a
sentimental romantic, who loves her family just as much as this Author loves hers, I
went slow—savoring her beautiful words. And glad I did—I had many epiphanies and
pauses that helped to uplift me for knowing people with beautiful hearts like Author
Lauren Scott exist.
In this modern age of AI, fake and negative news in the media, and varied lifestyles, in
the middle of just such a life, there exists room for more happiness—this book will get
you one step closer.
Because happiness does that—seeing someone happy gets us all closer.
I’m glad I read More Than Coffee—Memories in Verse and Prose by Lauren Scott
and want to recommend it to everyone—a resounding 5-star rating.
…Because even second-hand happiness makes us all happy.
#2 It Ain’t Winning If Without You by Michelle Ayon Navajas
So much to love in this book. So much that resonates and enlivens the human soul.
That is what love does. And love is why we are here.
Hello, Readers. Read the first 41 pages of this book, and you’ve read the entire
reason why this book is a winner.
Every poem is recited by a narrator in the first person, and immediately you feel
that this person is voicing your words.
It’s brilliant.
“It Ain’t Winning If Without You”
—by Michelle Ayon Navajas
excels in this field.
My all-time favorite poem in the entire book is MY poem. On page 34–
” “Sixty-Five — i want a photograph of us together when i am sixty-five, and you
are sixty-nine no longer capable of arguing over petty, trivial matters sitting quietly
in our garden by the entrance porch, your hand wrapped around my shoulder as our
minds travel back in time when we were young and restless when our love stood by
the ground of endless, pointless debates.
i want a photograph of us together when i am sixty-five, and you are sixty-nine” “
—It Ain’t Winning If Without You by Michelle Ayon Navajas
Author Michelle Ayon Navajas picked these words right out of me. I know! And
spoke them in prose. I love this!
Thanks for writing this book, Ms. Navajas.
And here’s where I ask you to come take a look to claim YOUR poem in this bold
poetry collection of many pages, because really, “It Ain’t Winning If Without YOU.”
I gave this book a 5-stars review and stand by my word. I highly recommend this
lovely poetry collection.
Thanks for writing this loveliness. I adore it. Blessing you, and I wish you
miracles–satisfied customer in Japan.
Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay–Thank you.
And thanks to everyone for reading my two reviews. I bless you.
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I really enjoyed your review. Like you said, at a time where there is so much negativity we need more happiness even when it is second hand happiness. Will definitely be checking the book out.
Thanks very much, Pooja! I hope you enjoy More than Coffee when you have a chance. 💞
My pleasure and I’m sure I’ll love it.
💗
Pooja, sweet one, you took the time to read AND leave me a sweet comment. I hope to respond to them all, but sometimes I miss the mark and it doesn’t make it your way. Upon second check I notice this one didn’t reach you, so here it goes again:
“Thanks for reading my review of these two lovely books. I wish I had more time to review… so many books, so little time.
Second hand happiness is still happiness. Happiness is contagious. May we all get infected. Thanks, sweet Pooja. I bless you. Have a great saturday.” Have a lovely new week. xoxo
I’m sorry I didn’t receive the response last time and thank you for responding again. Yes, happiness is truly contagious and surrounding ourselves with positive things makes us more positive people. Have a great week ahead 😊
Thanks for reading my review of these two lovely books. I wish I had more time to review… so many books, so little time.
Second hand happiness is still happiness. Happiness is contagious. May we all get infected. Thanks, sweet Pooja. I bless you. Have a great saturday.
Both these ladies are fantastic writers.
Thanks so much, Sadje! ❤️
You’re most welcome Lauren ❤️
Thank you Sadje❤️
You’re most welcome 🙏🏼
Sadje, yes, both ladies are stellar in their own right. I adore them both. And I’m HAPPY for your lovely comment here, dear friend. I bless you now and always. xo
Thanks Selma. Yes I agree they are not only great writers/ poets but great humans too
What a wonderful Saturday morning surprise, Selma! I am over the moon by your amazing and lovely review. Like you, I am all lit up! Gratitude is what I feel when I read that my poems and stories left such a positive impression. My ultimate wish when sharing my writing. Thank you SO much for not only this elegant review that makes my day, but for taking the time to read More than Coffee. And I love your quote: “Even second-hand happiness makes us happy.” So true!
I also appreciate the introduction to Michelle and her lovely book that I would enjoy. Congratulations to her on your beautiful review!
Thanks again, and I’m sending hugs and blessings your way from California! 💖🌷🙏🏻
Thank you Lauren and thank you for your kind words..i am to check your book too.❤️
You’re so welcome, Michelle, and I appreciate you checking out my book, too. I look forwarding to reading yours. 💞
Lauren, I’m delighted I could bring you a ray of morning surprise along with your morning coffee. hehe. A lovely book you birthed dear one. Now we are both lit up, and so are the hundreds who read your book. May the success continue… The words about second-hand happiness is a truth I embrace. Because I know how happiness works: It doesn’t have to be your own; happiness cannot be contained and it seeps out to everyone around. Your book did that to me. Thus, the words.
I’m looking forward to the completion of your next project–a hard job to beat this one but I’m sure you will outshine. Let me know how I can help. Go forward in the direction of your dreams. And I hope your leg heals soon. Sending your healing graces. And blessings. xo
I can’t thank you enough, Selma. Your description of how my book affected you adds so much joy to my life. Truly an author’s dream. I shared your review on today’s post, too. Wishing you a lovely week ahead, dear friend. ❤️🌷🙏🏻
Lauren Scott’s book is a sweet read. 🥰 I haven’t read Michelle’s. Thanks for the detailed reviews and suggestion.
Thanks for your lovely words, Michele. I’m so glad you enjoyed my book. 🙂 🩷
😊💐
Michele Lee, first, what a lovely profile photo. Glorious! second, thanks for adding your voice to the beauty of this book. And for showing interest in the second one. It’s lovely–both are! Thanks for the visit, dear one. I appreciate you. xoxo
Well, you are filling up my cup this morning. Thank you so much, sweet Selma. 🙏🏻 You are welcome! 📚 Great appreciation for you too! 💗
What wonderful heartfelt reviews, Selma! Michelle is a writer/poet extraordinaire and Lauren sounds like a fabulous writer too! Will check out her book.
Thank you Punam❤️
Punam, sweet one. Thanks for adding your voice here about Michelle’s book. And I am delighted to know you are intrigued about Lauren’s. You will not be disappointed. Golly, so many books, so little time for them all, so reviews serve to alert us to some of the best ones. That is my hope in these reviews. Be well, dear soul. I bless you.
You are welcome. Yes, so many books and that’s the reason I am grateful for the reviews like yours. Thanks for your blessings.
You’re too kind. xoxo
A smile is infectious, and in a positive way.
A smile is infectious indeed. And I get it that you were infected with one after reading these two reviews. I am so happy to know, Diana. I bless you for dropping me a comment. Comments light me up! Thanks. xoxo
Thank you so much Selma for this review. I am truly honored and humbled that you found a poem that spoke directly to you and encourage everyone too to find one for them in this book.
Thank you recommending Lauren, i will be checking on her book now
Your success doesn’t diminish mine. That’s why your success is my success too. How beautiful you are.
Here’s looking at you. 🥰 👍🏽 🥂
I am truly grateful Selma…thank you❤️❤️🙏🙏
Mich, You know how I feel about you already. Blessings.
Now I see it Selma and both are great reviews you highlighted so well. There is respite, honesty and wonderful wisdom in both books!
Cindy, there’s all of that in these reviews. And aren’t reviews the bestest? They alert us to the best books. I wish I could do just that: read and review all day–but no, I need to write to… Life is amazing. Thanks for reading and commenting. I bless you. xoxo
It’s a tough balance and you have it down! 💞
Tough balance. 🙌🏽 blessings, dear lady. 🤗
💗💗💗
Hello Selma, it’s so nice to see Lauren’s book featured here. I also really enjoyed it. Michelle’s book also looks lovely. I have seen a few of her poems published on MasticadoresUsa.
Pingback: Introducing You To My Author Friend, Lauren Scott – Selma
Congratulations to both Lauren and Michelle on the heartfelt reviews! I love the following line from your post: “Because even second-hand happiness makes us all happy.”
Thanks so much, Liz. I appreciate you saying. Xoxo
You’re welcome, Selma!
What incredible reviews, Selma, of two very different yet two very excellent poetry collections!