Blogmoir: Moment of Clarity

Thank God for granting me this moment of clarity. This moment of honesty. ~ Jay-Z

I was doing too much: Work, Podcasting, Reading, Reviewing, Copyediting, Traveling, Writing, Socializing and more. Takeout for lunch, snacks throughout the day, a heavy dinner and dessert. I work on the computer so sitting for hours yet tapping "dismiss" when my Apple Watch sends a reminder to stand. I'd at least exercise 30 minutes on my trampoline but walk right past the treadmill with all its collected dust. I stayed busy and fought the chronic fatigue. Sure, I took daily naps but I was right back up doing too much.

Well God found a way to make me stop and listen. He designed our bodies to need rest.

"Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him." ~ Psalm 62:1

Acceptance is the first step. I accept the diagnosis. I accept there is no cure. I accept I will never be in complete remission but instead chemical remission. I will remain on "forever" medicine that is an immunosuppressant to treat and control. I will regularly get lab tests to make sure my numbers continue to improve then remain normal. I accept the good days and even the bad because they're another day I am blessed to be here. I accept all the support, healing and love.

First Lines Friday

First Lines Friday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Grab your current read(s).
• Share the first line(s).
• Include the title and author.

~ Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret: Special Edition by Judy Blume 

*Happy Movie Premiere Day! Watch the official trailer above. My Lit to Movie review will post soon.

The Essential Rumi

In honor of National Poetry Month, I finally read/listened to The Essential Rumi. The new expanded edition has 80+ never before published poems. In lieu of a review, I am sharing ten (10) favorite quotes from this lyrical poetry that flows like a song. 

All day I think about it, then at night I say it. Where did I come from, and what am I supposed to be doing? I have no idea. My soul is from elsewhere, I'm sure of that, and I intend to end up there. ~ pg. 2

No one is grown up except those free of desire. ~ pg. 4

God has made sleep so that it erases every thought. ~ pg. 6

The only real rest comes when you're alone with God. ~ pg. 75

Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along. ~ pg. 106

Miracles overwhelm unbelief. ~ pg. 149

When ink joins with a pen, then the blank paper can say something. ~ pg. 247

When you learn a craft, practice it. That learning comes through the hands. ~ pg. 255

Don't make the body do what the spirit does best, and don't put a big load on the spirit that the body could carry easily. ~ pg. 256

A little while alone in your room will prove more valuable than anything else that could ever be given you. ~ pg. 260  

Title: The Essential Rumi

Author: Rumi w/translators

Published: July 2018

Pages: 388 / 9hr 24m 

Edition: eBook / Audiobook

Genre: Poetry

Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

Quietly Hostile

"Go to bed earlier? But what about my shows?" ~ pg. 9

My braids were falling out of my loose bun from nodding and laughing so hard at this new essay collection from Samantha Irby titled Quietly Hostile. Her successful career has only enhanced her comedy and newfound glam. Just like all of us, Sam is just trying to keep her life together. Making fun of herself is not only relatable but also hilarious!

Sam Irby deserves all the flowers. She is writing for television, publishing her 4th essay collection written mostly during the pandemic. Ah, the early days of working remotely on Zoom. The essays can be read in any order and include walking the red carpet with "Sex and The City" cast, diarrhea details, how to interact with teenagers, fridge shelf compatibility, and more random shit. The essay I related to the most was trying to soak off gel polish with acetone (IYKYK). 

You want a good laugh? Pre-order Quietly Hostile: Essays and anticipate the giggles it will bring.

Happy Early Pub Day, Sam Irby! Quietly Hostile: Essays will be available Tuesday, May 16.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins.

Title: Quietly Hostile
Author: Samantha Irby
Published: May 2023
Pages: 203
Edition: Galley
Genre: Essays / Memoir
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

The Soulmate

"That's another funny thing about marriage. Sometimes, when you look back on it, the worst moments are in fact the best." ~ 50%

Gabe and Pippa live in their dream home on a cliff. It's a little coastal town with history. Unfortunately, their perfect house is a popular spot for people to end their lives. Most of the time, Gabe comes to the rescue and talks people off...until the day he doesn't. 

Through the police investigation, Pippa notices small inconsistencies in Gabe's recollection of events. Why lie? Then she discovers Gabe knew the victim. So did she really jump or was pushed?

Oh the twists and turns this book took me through! I didn't quite know whom to believe or what to be true. It pushed my mind to the edge trying to figure it out. Despite my dislike for alternating chapters, Sally Hepworth effortlessly transitioned between past, present and points of view. I recommend if you want to read an addictive mystery!

Happy Belated Pub Day, Sally Hepworth! The Soulmate is now available.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins.

Title: The Soulmate
Author: Sally Hepworth
Published: April 2023
Pages: 336
Edition: Galley
Genre: Thriller
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

Super Series Sunday: Baker Street Mystery

(Baker Street #1 & #2) 

Super Series Sunday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Binge read installments of a series.
• Share your review/recommendations below.
• Include the titles, authors and series names.

"Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how probable, must be the truth." ~ 39%

My 1st Super Series Sunday pick is Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder, the first book in the Baker Street series by Valerie Burns. Focused on the 200+ pound champion show English Mastiff named Baby, the mini romance and Hallmark-like vibe, I forgot this was a mystery. But let me back up.

Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder has all the makings of a culinary cozy mystery. A woman moves to a small town in Michigan after inheriting her great-aunt's bakery and dog. Madison Montgomery is a social media influencer who plans to swoop into town, collect her inheritance check then go back to rebuilding her normal life after being left at the altar. 

Monkey Wrench: there are conditions to the will: stay in the house, take care of Baby and run the bakery business for at least one (1) year. Oh, then the Mayor is murdered in the bakery so of course she needs to solve it.

This is a great introduction to the series and characters. The only annoying part were all the hashtags but it was appropriate given Maddy's social media presence. Now on to the next one!

Title: Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder

Author: Valerie Burns

Published: August 2022

Pages: 336

Edition: eBook

Genre: Mystery

Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

"When you're good at what you do, you make it look easy." ~ 73%

My 2nd Super Series Sunday pick is Murder is a Piece of Cake, the second book in the series. Yes, I am still reading out of order as this is an advance copy due to be published this summer. 

The follow-up was not as entertaining as the first book in series; although, it is a worthy read. The author showed more of Maddy's personality and social media skills. Despite her inexperience in the kitchen, Baby Cakes turned into Michigan's must-visit bakery. Then a competitive investor swoops into town and you guessed it...another mystery for Maddy to solve.

Murder is a Piece of Cake is a quick read recommended to culinary cozy mystery lovers. It can be read in one lazy weekend or after a few nights before bedtime to unwind. No complex details, no string of suspects and light humor. Go ahead and place your pre-order!

Happy Early Pub Day, Valerie Burns! Murder is a Piece of Cake will be available Tuesday, June 27.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins.

Title: Murder is a Piece of Cake

Author: Valerie Burns

Published: June 2023

Pages: 336

Edition: Galley

Genre: Mystery

Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

First Lines Friday

First Lines Friday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Grab your current read(s).
• Share the first line(s).
• Include the title and author.

"It's been a long time, shouldn'ta left you...but I had to, because life was life-ing, dawg!"

~  Hey, Lover (Foreword) by D.L. White