It begins with coffee, always.

Well, I suppose before there can be coffee, there has to be the act of waking, of climbing out of bed and trudging down the stairs. In a perfect world, this would be done before my toddler is awake, so that I can enjoy the quiet darkness before the day truly begins.

I would make a coffee, sit on the couch and open a book... whatever I happen to be reading. I would read for twenty minutes, and then, with likely a lukewarm half cup of coffee, head into the office to write.

I would write, and write... and write.

And then my son would wake up, and together he and my husband would come downstairs, wiping sleep from their eyes, requesting breakfast. We would eat together as a family, this perfect little family of three, just the way it's meant to be.

There would be a second cup of coffee, because, #addicted, and then -- because it's my ideal morning (and therefore not necessarily reality) -- I would go for a walk around the neighborhood because it's the perfect temperature out and my iPhone is shuffling through the perfect mix of music to keep me going.

And then, a warm shower, the application of mascara and blush, and kisses for my boys as they head off for their day.

Here's what I read in July:

WASTED WORDS BY STACI HART

This was my first Staci Hart read and it certainly won't be the last. This kind of genre fiction is my favorite: something I can get lost in. Something that makes me smile. Makes me feel. I really liked this book and can't wait to read more of her work.


BECOMING BY LAURA JANE WILLIAMS

Loved this one so much that I wrote a full review about it, here.



WE COULD BE BEAUTIFUL BY SWAN HUNTLEY

This book was, much like its cover, incredible. I was pulled into the world of the characters right away, finding so much about the book very relatable. WCBB is an epic story of love and greed that leaves you wanting more.



I LET YOU GO BY CLARE MACKINTOSH

I had heard so much about this book, and was excited to read it. So when I got the email notice from my library that it was my turn to read the ebook, I was thrilled. I jumped in with both feet, completely in awe. I Let You Go was well written and had me staying up late for three nights reading it. It was engaging and kept me guessing for the most part (I will admit that some of it was predictable, but it's pretty much impossible NOT to have some predictability). That twist in the middle, though... that one got me :) A GREAT read.



MOONSHOT BY ALESSANDRA TORRE

This was my first Alessandra Torre book, and certainly not be my last. Moonshot had me hooked and I read it in a few spurts over a span of a few days. Great read. I've gone and purchased two more of her books (in paperback this time). I so wish I'd bought the gorgeous paperback of this one instead of the eBook...