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The Perpetual Page-Turner

The Perpetual Page-Turner

Book Recommendations and Book Lists For Adults And Kids

Home | personal | If We Were Having Coffee

If We Were Having Coffee

October 7, 2018 - Updated May 7, 2019 // 7 Comments

 

I saw a life coach I love, Ashley, do a post entitled If We Were Having Coffee and I decided to take her lead and do one myself in November 2013 because I loved it and sometimes I feel like we forget that there is a whole life behind the people that write and read blogs. I got such a great response to my initial post so I made it a  reoccurring thing for the past couple of years and do it when I feel so inclined!

 

Grab your coffee/beverage of your choice and meet me for a chat. I’m currently without coffee but having water instead but you don’t mind, right?? It’s been far too long since we sat down to chat.

 

If we were having coffee….I’d tell you that I’m currently reading Ghosted by Rosie Walsh and I’m super intrigued so far! It’s on my must-read books for 2018 list so I have HIGH HOPES. I’d ask what you are currently reading….

 

If we were having coffee.…I’d tell you that I’m feeling really bummed because I had high hopes of starting to work out again and something is UP with my knee and it hurts badly. It’s been a couple of months and has seemed to fade….except when I try to jump up and down or something or do certain movements with working out. I know I should go to the doctor’s but UGH I hate going and I just kept hoping it would resolve itself. It’s been bumming me out not to work out because I feel awful these days and, if I’m being honest, I don’t fit into anything anymore. I lost all the baby weight in 6 months of having her (somehow, I don’t know) and then I gained a bunch of weight again. Probably going to be schlepping myself to the doctor soon but I DON’T WANNA.

 

If we were having coffee.…I’d tell you that we’ve settled into our new home. I LOVE how much space we have now. It’s so nice to have ROOM. I have mostly everything unpacked but still have some stuff (I know, I know..it’s been a few months I should be done) but I really haven’t decorated but will be starting that soon. It’s kind of exciting to have room to decorate now that we have space. I still don’t love the area and I still miss where we used to live but…what can I do? So I’m just accepting it for what it is and trying to find little pockets of enjoyment and focusing on other things in the meantime. We are only renting this house so it’s not forever.

 

If we were having coffee…. I’d tell you that Riley is so fun these days and I’m really finding myself in motherhood. Not that I don’t have hard days or moments where I’m like OMG MOTHERHOOD SUCKS. But I’ve talked a lot about struggling to find myself in new motherhood and I’m appreciative for all the places this journey has taken me — even in its most brutal moments. I’m at a place right now where I really really find myself enjoying the small moments of every day more often than I’m feeling discontent and missing pre-mom life or feeling boring. So I think that’s pretty good, right? It’s not that I don’t feel those things but they don’t feel as heavy on me right now. I always try to be truthful in my motherhood story despite if people don’t like it and it’s nice to share things as I’m coming out of some of the harder bits I dealt with — the good things are my truth too. Which I hope will be a comfort to other mamas — that you can have a really hard time but things can also be good.

 

If we were having coffee…. I’d tell you that I’ve been feeling really lonely. I went from seeing my bffs at least 1 or 2 times a week to basically once every few months. We all moved away from each other and had babies. We still talk but I’m realizing how much that face to face time was important to me. They made me a better person and every time we hung out I walked away happy, energized, feeling supported, etc. I just miss them and there’s not really anything I can do about it because of location and everyone’s busy lives. That said, I’m starting a book club in my new town so I’m hoping I will at least meet someone who I can be friends with. I think it’s rare to find the kind of friendship as I did with these ladies and I’m trying not to feel like its a lost cause that I will ever find it again.

 

If we were having coffee… I’d tell you that I read the most interesting book (Balanced & Barefoot) and I’ve been really intentional about spending way more time outside than we had been. Obviously I knew being outside was good but since I’ve become a bit of a baby/child development nerd I was fascinated by what was discussed in the book. It’s been really fun being outside more often and I’m going to try hard to muster up the motivation to do it when the weather takes a turn to ickville. REALLY fascinating read!

 

If we were having coffee….I’d tell you that I’m planning on FINALLY getting my hair done (so hard to make time to do it right now). I am officially going back to red!! I’ve been some variation of red since college and then made it closer to my natural color when I got pregnant just because I knew I wasn’t going to prioritize keeping up with it. I AM SO EXCITED. I need a little TLC and I could stand for a nice change — even if it just comes via my hair. I just love red hair on me and think it suits my pale skin and blue eyes well! Will update with pictures. If we were ACTUALLY have coffee in person, I would make you help me decide what shade of red to go with.

 

If we were having coffee….I’d tell you that I’ve been hanging out on Instagram a lot (it’s a bit easier for me these days than writing as many blog posts as I used to). I’d love if you come over and joined me — @perpetualpageturner!

 

If we were having coffee….I’d tell you that I’ve given up on keeping my home tidy with a kid. It’s just a vicious cycle. I clean up after she goes to bed and then it’s just messy all day. Maybe it will get better when she’s older and clean up after herself a little better but it’s just tiring to always be cleaning up. I’ve just accepted toys on the floor because I refuse to spend my whole day tidying up. I try to limit her toys that are available but she still destroys the place (though most of the mess is all her books).

 

If we were having coffee…what would you tell me? Come on…lay it all out! It’s just you, me, the pleasant sounds of a cafe…and maybe some other eyes in the comment section but NBD right?? Our we can have coffee in my inbox if you don’t feel comfortable. I really want to know! What’s going on with you?

 

[Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links which means that if you click on a link and purchase something I’ve talked about or recommended, I’ll receive a very small percentage of the sale. Please see my disclosure policy for more info.

Filed Under: about me, If We Were Having Coffee, personal Tagged With: about me, If We Were Having Coffee, personal, personal post

About Jamie

Jamie is a 32 year old married lady (with a new baby!!) who is in denial that she's actually that old to be a married lady and a mom. When she's not reading you can find her doing Pilates followed by eating ice cream, belting out Hamilton (loud and offkey) and having adventures with her husband, daughter and rescue dog.

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  1. La La in the Library says

    October 8, 2018 at 11:28 pm

    We lived out in the boonies from when my son was three until he was almost eight, and we were outside exploring all the time. When he was five we bought some bird feeders and a bird identification book, to mark all of the birds we saw at the feeders and during our field walks. I also bought him tree identification book, and an insect field guide tree. He still has all three. 🐦🐞🌳 Gardening is great to do with them, too! 🌻🍅🌿

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      October 12, 2018 at 9:19 pm

      I love it!! We have been outside A LOT. I love your ideas! And I was just reading about how gardening is such an awesome thing to do with young kids. I do not think I have a green thumb but I shall have to try!

      Reply
  2. Annemieke says

    October 10, 2018 at 7:36 am

    I hope the book club will work out Jamie! Sounds like it can be a lot of fun.
    If we were having coffee I’d tell you I haven’t been so great but I am working on fixing that. I’d tell you my birthday is on Friday and that my parents are staying with us and how great but exhausting that is all at the same time.

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      October 12, 2018 at 9:18 pm

      Thank you! <3 And what's been going on lady?? I wish we could really sit down and have coffee!!! Happy birthday!!!!!! Hope you had a wonderful day. And oof yeah entertaining loved ones is wonderful but so draining lol

      Reply
  3. Heather says

    October 10, 2018 at 10:44 am

    I read Ghosted a couple of weeks ago and I was not disappointed!!!

    Reply
  4. Gayathri says

    October 12, 2018 at 11:07 am

    I had a few red streaks on my hair a few months and now it has faded off to a caramel right now. I kinda like how it looks now as well and it is definitely so easy going. I miss the crazy bright red though. I love this idea for the post. COngrats on your new work out schedule and I have just gotten back to running as well, though I missed a day or two last week.

    All the best adnd have a good week.

    Reply
    • Jamie says

      October 12, 2018 at 9:13 pm

      I LOVE when my hair fades into something nice!! It’s always a good feeling and lets me feel like I can wait a little til my next appt.

      Have a fantastic month!!

      Reply

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perpetualpageturner

Friends don’t let friends be without a good book. Let’s be friends?
Elder millennial. Cries a lot, always down a rabbit hole.
Blogger since 2010👇

A book recommendation for all my historical fictio A book recommendation for all my historical fiction readers - The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. My holy grail historical author came through for me again. I can’t express how much I cared for and was pulled into the lives of these women living in a boardinghouse in DC during the McCarthy era just as much as I was racing to find out what happened in this house. The tension mounted as we got to what actually happened?? Masterful. Truly. #historicalfiction #bookrec #bookrecommendation #historicalfictionbooks @williammorrowbooks
Made a fun family day out of Independent Bookstore Made a fun family day out of Independent Bookstore Day and hit up new faves @maveybooks and what used to be my second home when I lived closer @childrensbookworld which was so nice to be back home 🥹🥹

Book shopping is great but I can’t express how incredible building community is and indie bookshops do just that. I always wanted my own version of Cheers and, while not a bar where everybody knows my name, CBW was that place for me for almost a decade when I built community by going to YA book events there and moderating events. And while I am not able to get there as often as I was before I became a mom and we moved further away, It’s been so special to be able to share this beloved space with Riley.

These indie bookshops are so vital to our communities and I know everyone’s situation is different so this isn’t to shame but That Website can’t replace what can be created in these book spaces. Shop local when you are able! #indiebookshop #bookshop #bookshopping #independentbookstore
Ok technically I’m lying. My last read was technic Ok technically I’m lying. My last read was technically ATMOSPHERE but I feel like between my stories and my dedicated post to it, I’d rather talk about the book I read before it but didn’t update y’all on.

The Trouble With Anna — I enjoyed this delightful little historical romance about a heroine who is carving out her independence only to find out, when her grandfather dies, that he tied her inheritance/future to marrying her best friend’s brother — a not-so-happy surprise for both of them. I could understand why they both had some guardness/walls up and I enjoyed watching them slowly start to lower them.

Mayhem and the Mortal - I’m not too far into this romantic fantasy but it is one of my most anticipated that came out last month and I’m excited to dig in more.

Hamnet — I know, I know. For April I decided not to make a traditional TBR list of books I wanted to read but instead give myself some prompts to guide my reading (bc I’m overwhelmed with all my choices at hand) without feeling rigid. One of the prompts was to read a book I HAD TO BUY but is still unread. So going to finally get to it. Have you read this one or watched the movie?

What are you currently reading?
I had been waiting for the perfect time to read th I had been waiting for the perfect time to read this one after Random House sent me a finished copy as TJR is a longtime auto-buy author.  I found myself caught up in all the space joy and wonder and feeling quite parasocial about the Artemis crew...I decided now was the time.

I had no idea what I was getting into.

I hadn’t really known what it was about but I didn’t really need to given its TJR & the fact it was 1980s NASA & astronauts.

But this book was about love to me - romantic love, platonic love, familial love, love for something bigger than yourself, love for the person you are & are becoming, love in the face of obstacles, love for what lights you up.

Having been invested in real life astronauts & their journey lately really made this book even more vivid to me — seeing the bonds of the crew so deeply, feeling the fragility that exists while they are doing this wondrous & crazy thing that often still boggles my mind that we can do.

And, hardest to put into words, that feeling of awe in the expansive nature & capabilities of love & the universe that I felt when a husband named a crater after his late wife which doubly helped me understand how Joan & Vanessa felt looking back at earth.

It made me sob & feel everything about being a human so deeply basically from that Frances/Joan phone call at 86% of the way through until the final words. Like could not breathe.

*might be a tiny bit spoilery so beware:

I think the way she wrote this was so impactful bc we start out knowing something bad happens &it’s not even that far when we know that some of them def won’t make it back & some are alive in peril.

I was like “oof” when *it* happens early on. But each and every chapter where we learn more about these ppl & their relationships felt agonizing & I was retroactively grieving for them more deeply every turn of the page.

The hurt and grief just compounds from a moment that was sad from the jump to something that had dug in deep to me.

To know what happens right before this mission makes the mission control bits even more excruciating. Makes the peril a character is in hit even harder than just “oh that must be scary!”. 

I loved it. I needed it bad.
The theme of Q1 was “just go with it” — it being m The theme of Q1 was “just go with it” — it being my reading whims, quirks and troubles.

Interesting things:

1. January started out rough. I only read 1 physical book and leaned very heavy into audiobooks only. At first it was distressing that my brain -thanks to current events and their effect on my mind - couldn’t work out how to sit down and read with my eyeballs but I was like…let’s just roll with it and wait for it to pass. So I waited and enjoyed a ton of audiobooks.

2. I don’t think I’ve ever read so many thrillers and mysteries in a quarter. It’s a genre I love but I’m normally quite more balanced. However, it’s what I was craving and what my brain was tolerating so…I just went with it.

3. I have always been a reader led by my moods (both how I feel reading wise and personally). This quarter was FERAL. Like the most feral mood reading ever. I couldn’t even categorize it. I’d decide on one book enthusiastically and suddenly I was like…absolutely not that.

4. I read way less fantasy than normal which was WEIRD but I felt like I also wasn’t surprised given my brain space.

5. I really started to resent people even more who said “it’s a book account stop talking about politics etc”. Babe, I’m a human who gives a shit but ALSO this has and always been an account of MY reading life. And my reading life was profoundly affected by the things that were going on in this country. Like they have been before - whether it’s been current events or things like having a kid, being depressed, slumps, etc.

6. I return to the fact that, for me, I am happiest when I pay attention to my reading whims. The end of the month I had a very specific reading mood (wanted time travel element but not a heavy time travel book) and I decided to pick up A Rip Through Time at the end of the month and I’m now halfway through book 4. Having the best time ever!!! 

Anyways, tell me how your reading life was in Q1! Fave books? Biggest surprises??
New historical fiction books on my radar for April New historical fiction books on my radar for April and I feel like there is quite a bit of variety. Any of these on your TBR? #historicalfictionbooks #historicalfiction #newbookrelease #newbookreleases
Being someone who reads based on their ever shifti Being someone who reads based on their ever shifting reading moods (sometimes very feral) makes library holds and tbrs very hard. It’s the worst when 5 weeks ago I would have gobbled the library hold up but now when the hold comes in I’m like…I think not. #readersofinstagram #readerproblems #librarylife #librarybooks #moodreader
I love when I just absolutely nail it on the first I love when I just absolutely nail it on the first try when trying to satisfy a super specific reading mood - Kelley Armstrong’s A Rip Through Time definitely nailed what I wanted. Time travel but didn’t really want too time travely…just more of a vibe or catalyst for some fun. If you love a good mystery, some time travel shenanigans and a great cast of characters, I highly recommend this book. #bookrec #bookrecommendation #bookreview #mysterybooks #historicalmystery #kelleyarmstrong
🌸 Some romances on my personal radar for April. 🌸 🌸 Some romances on my personal radar for April. 🌸

Beyond excited for a new Kate Clayborn, Kasie west, rainbow Rowell, Jenn Bennett and Beth O’Leary - I’ve enjoyed these authors in the past.

My historical loving heart is most excited for The Duke and How To Fake It In Society.

I love an emotional romance so The Art of Loving You is high on my list plus I’ve heard great things about this author.

I’m intrigued by Fast Lane especially since it’s being adapted for a tv series. I’m seeing comparisons to Elle Kennedy’s Off Campus series which I did love!

Which new romance books are piquing your interest or are on your TBR? #romancebooks #newbooks #romancebooktok #romancereader
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Jamie is a 32 year old married lady (with a new baby!!) who is in denial that she's actually that old to be a married lady and a mom. When she's not reading you can find her doing Pilates followed by eating ice cream, belting out Hamilton (loud and offkey) and having adventures with her husband, daughter and rescue dog.

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A book recommendation for all my historical fictio A book recommendation for all my historical fiction readers - The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. My holy grail historical author came through for me again. I can’t express how much I cared for and was pulled into the lives of these women living in a boardinghouse in DC during the McCarthy era just as much as I was racing to find out what happened in this house. The tension mounted as we got to what actually happened?? Masterful. Truly. #historicalfiction #bookrec #bookrecommendation #historicalfictionbooks @williammorrowbooks
Made a fun family day out of Independent Bookstore Made a fun family day out of Independent Bookstore Day and hit up new faves @maveybooks and what used to be my second home when I lived closer @childrensbookworld which was so nice to be back home 🥹🥹

Book shopping is great but I can’t express how incredible building community is and indie bookshops do just that. I always wanted my own version of Cheers and, while not a bar where everybody knows my name, CBW was that place for me for almost a decade when I built community by going to YA book events there and moderating events. And while I am not able to get there as often as I was before I became a mom and we moved further away, It’s been so special to be able to share this beloved space with Riley.

These indie bookshops are so vital to our communities and I know everyone’s situation is different so this isn’t to shame but That Website can’t replace what can be created in these book spaces. Shop local when you are able! #indiebookshop #bookshop #bookshopping #independentbookstore
Ok technically I’m lying. My last read was technic Ok technically I’m lying. My last read was technically ATMOSPHERE but I feel like between my stories and my dedicated post to it, I’d rather talk about the book I read before it but didn’t update y’all on.

The Trouble With Anna — I enjoyed this delightful little historical romance about a heroine who is carving out her independence only to find out, when her grandfather dies, that he tied her inheritance/future to marrying her best friend’s brother — a not-so-happy surprise for both of them. I could understand why they both had some guardness/walls up and I enjoyed watching them slowly start to lower them.

Mayhem and the Mortal - I’m not too far into this romantic fantasy but it is one of my most anticipated that came out last month and I’m excited to dig in more.

Hamnet — I know, I know. For April I decided not to make a traditional TBR list of books I wanted to read but instead give myself some prompts to guide my reading (bc I’m overwhelmed with all my choices at hand) without feeling rigid. One of the prompts was to read a book I HAD TO BUY but is still unread. So going to finally get to it. Have you read this one or watched the movie?

What are you currently reading?
I had been waiting for the perfect time to read th I had been waiting for the perfect time to read this one after Random House sent me a finished copy as TJR is a longtime auto-buy author.  I found myself caught up in all the space joy and wonder and feeling quite parasocial about the Artemis crew...I decided now was the time.

I had no idea what I was getting into.

I hadn’t really known what it was about but I didn’t really need to given its TJR & the fact it was 1980s NASA & astronauts.

But this book was about love to me - romantic love, platonic love, familial love, love for something bigger than yourself, love for the person you are & are becoming, love in the face of obstacles, love for what lights you up.

Having been invested in real life astronauts & their journey lately really made this book even more vivid to me — seeing the bonds of the crew so deeply, feeling the fragility that exists while they are doing this wondrous & crazy thing that often still boggles my mind that we can do.

And, hardest to put into words, that feeling of awe in the expansive nature & capabilities of love & the universe that I felt when a husband named a crater after his late wife which doubly helped me understand how Joan & Vanessa felt looking back at earth.

It made me sob & feel everything about being a human so deeply basically from that Frances/Joan phone call at 86% of the way through until the final words. Like could not breathe.

*might be a tiny bit spoilery so beware:

I think the way she wrote this was so impactful bc we start out knowing something bad happens &it’s not even that far when we know that some of them def won’t make it back & some are alive in peril.

I was like “oof” when *it* happens early on. But each and every chapter where we learn more about these ppl & their relationships felt agonizing & I was retroactively grieving for them more deeply every turn of the page.

The hurt and grief just compounds from a moment that was sad from the jump to something that had dug in deep to me.

To know what happens right before this mission makes the mission control bits even more excruciating. Makes the peril a character is in hit even harder than just “oh that must be scary!”. 

I loved it. I needed it bad.
The theme of Q1 was “just go with it” — it being m The theme of Q1 was “just go with it” — it being my reading whims, quirks and troubles.

Interesting things:

1. January started out rough. I only read 1 physical book and leaned very heavy into audiobooks only. At first it was distressing that my brain -thanks to current events and their effect on my mind - couldn’t work out how to sit down and read with my eyeballs but I was like…let’s just roll with it and wait for it to pass. So I waited and enjoyed a ton of audiobooks.

2. I don’t think I’ve ever read so many thrillers and mysteries in a quarter. It’s a genre I love but I’m normally quite more balanced. However, it’s what I was craving and what my brain was tolerating so…I just went with it.

3. I have always been a reader led by my moods (both how I feel reading wise and personally). This quarter was FERAL. Like the most feral mood reading ever. I couldn’t even categorize it. I’d decide on one book enthusiastically and suddenly I was like…absolutely not that.

4. I read way less fantasy than normal which was WEIRD but I felt like I also wasn’t surprised given my brain space.

5. I really started to resent people even more who said “it’s a book account stop talking about politics etc”. Babe, I’m a human who gives a shit but ALSO this has and always been an account of MY reading life. And my reading life was profoundly affected by the things that were going on in this country. Like they have been before - whether it’s been current events or things like having a kid, being depressed, slumps, etc.

6. I return to the fact that, for me, I am happiest when I pay attention to my reading whims. The end of the month I had a very specific reading mood (wanted time travel element but not a heavy time travel book) and I decided to pick up A Rip Through Time at the end of the month and I’m now halfway through book 4. Having the best time ever!!! 

Anyways, tell me how your reading life was in Q1! Fave books? Biggest surprises??
New historical fiction books on my radar for April New historical fiction books on my radar for April and I feel like there is quite a bit of variety. Any of these on your TBR? #historicalfictionbooks #historicalfiction #newbookrelease #newbookreleases
Being someone who reads based on their ever shifti Being someone who reads based on their ever shifting reading moods (sometimes very feral) makes library holds and tbrs very hard. It’s the worst when 5 weeks ago I would have gobbled the library hold up but now when the hold comes in I’m like…I think not. #readersofinstagram #readerproblems #librarylife #librarybooks #moodreader

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