At Home On one hand, I'm thrilled it's finally Friday because this past week has been crazy. On the other hand, I can't believe my kids' last day of school is in one week! I'm about three-quarters prepared for the summer. We have the workbooks, I've been working on their schedule and keeping an eye … Continue reading The Lily Cafe Weekly Highlights – June 2, 2023
The Curated Bookshelf: June 2023’s Theme
Welcome to this month's Curated Bookshelf! It's June, which means the school year is about to come to a close. I'm sad it means my kids are growing up, but I'm actually looking forward to all the fun we can have now that they don't have to spend the better part of a weekday at … Continue reading The Curated Bookshelf: June 2023’s Theme
The Lily Cafe Weekly Highlights – May 26, 2023
At Home Is it Friday already? Well, I'm not sure where, exactly, the week has gone, but I'm glad it's a three day weekend. Even if I'm up to my knees preparing for the summer and our vacation. I did so much laundry this week to wash a ton of new clothes we've gotten for … Continue reading The Lily Cafe Weekly Highlights – May 26, 2023
Book Highlight: Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young
Title: Spells for Forgetting Author: Adrienne Young Publisher: Delacorte Publication Date: September 27, 2022 Genre: Magical Realism, Mystery, Romance Emery Blackwood’s life changed forever the night her best friend was found dead and the love of her life, August Salt, was accused of murdering her. Years later, she is doing what her teenage self swore … Continue reading Book Highlight: Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young
Book Review: The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
Title: The Wishing Game Author: Meg Shaffer Publisher: Ballantine Publication date: May 30, 2023 Genre: Women's Fiction One Sentence Summary: When Lucy gets the chance to be in the running to receive the sole copy of the next book in a children's series, she sees the chance to make her dreams, and those of the orphaned … Continue reading Book Review: The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
The Queens: Part 12
Odalis pressed her lips into a thin line as she crumpled the paper. “My magic could have pinpointed the right location. Her protector might be smarter than we think.” She threw the paper at her brother. “Start back where Camila saw the two riders.” “Odalis,” Leandro started, but she had turned away and was waving … Continue reading The Queens: Part 12
Book Highlight: The Spice Master at Bistro Exotique by Samantha Verant
Title: The Spice Master at Bistro Exotique Author: Samantha Verant Publisher: Berkley Publication Date: December 6, 2022 Genre: Romance A talented chef discovers how spices and scents can transport her—and, more importantly, how self-confidence can unlock the greatest magic of all: love—in this perfectly seasoned new novel by Samantha Vérant.Kate Jenkins doesn’t believe in fate. … Continue reading Book Highlight: The Spice Master at Bistro Exotique by Samantha Verant
My Bookish Wish of 2023 That Wasn’t
Back in January I decided to not make a bookish wish this year. Making a wish this year just didn't quite feel right, so I decided to not do it. Actually, a lot of how I had been reading didn't quite feel right, so I've been working on changing things so I'm a lot happier … Continue reading My Bookish Wish of 2023 That Wasn’t
Book Highlight: Wildwood Whispers by Willa Reece
Title: Wildwood Whispers Author: Willa Reece Publisher: Redhook Publication Date: August 17, 2021 Genre: Women's Fiction, Magical Realism Step into a world of hope, fate, and folk magic in this bewitching debut when a young woman travels to a sleepy southern town in the Appalachian Mountains to honor her best friend. Mel Smith’s life is shattered … Continue reading Book Highlight: Wildwood Whispers by Willa Reece
Book Highlight: In a Garden Burning Gold by Rory Power
Title: In a Garden Burning Gold (The Wind-Up Garden #1) Author: Rory Power Publisher: Del Rey Publication Date: April 5, 2022 Genre: Fantasy Rhea and Lexos were born into a family unlike any other. Together with their siblings, they control the seasons, the tides, and the stars, and help their father rule their kingdom. Thanks to their magic, the family has ruled … Continue reading Book Highlight: In a Garden Burning Gold by Rory Power