Welcome to book review fifty of fifty-two for this year’s virtual coffee shares. I’ve picked books related to the Brewing Coffee, Twisting Words & Breaking Pencils theme—coffee, books, and puzzles.
The Book of Chaos
The author is Jessica Renwick
Published on October 20, 2018
The publisher is Starfell Press
Available in eBook, Audiobook, Hardcover, and Paperback (256 pages)
Children’s Paranormal Fantasy | Children’s Spine-chilling Horror| Children’s Action & Adventure (Books)
The Book of Chaos is book one of five in the Starfell series. A recommended read for middle-grade readers.
You can find my full review on Goodreads: my review.
If we were having coffee, I would share a couple of things that I am looking forward to in January. First, I am registered to take six weeks of mediumship courses with Reverend Shelia Black: beonewithspirit.com. The second thing is that I signed up for an illustration course. It runs through George Brown College. These are both different from my usual writing and editing courses; I think they will be a pleasant change. I have plans to take a writing course later in 2026. Anyway, both these January courses are connected to my tarot journey. The mediumship for obvious reasons, and the illustration because I would like to design my own tarot (and because I plan to write a children’s book eventually).
If we were having coffee, I would share a picture of the puzzle I just finished and preface it with a story. So, Sunday morning, my two-year-old boxer prances into the room chomping on something. Yes, you guessed it. It was a piece of my puzzle, which I still haven’t figured out how he got. I removed it from his mouth. It was sopping wet and misshapen. I finished the puzzle then because I wasn’t sure how much snacking he had done (thankfully just the one piece). Anyway, instead of getting upset, I re-framed this experience with the realization that every time I re-do this puzzle, I will think of my mid-life crisis dog and how well he lived up to the title. Ha-ha.
If we were having coffee, I would share a writing update. My latest manuscript is in the hands of my editor.
By Shari Marshall – 2025
Brewing Coffee, Twisting Words & Breaking Pencils 
I love your boxer’s shenanigans and how you hilariously reframed the whole experience in your own way ✨😄
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The boxer breed is so goofy. Riggs is our fourth boxer, and at 2 years old, he is still keeping us on our toes.
Thank you for stopping in. Happy Friday.
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Glad he only got into one piece! It’s a beautiful puzzle. Those classes sound fun.
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Yes, he clearly only wanted a taste of it and not a meal. Haha.
Thanks for stopping in, Joanne. Happy Saturday.
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That’s a nice puzzle and an exciting writing update. Glad your boxer just got into one piece. The illustration course sounds interesting. Are you taking it at George Brown College on campus in Toronto or long distance/ online? Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
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Thank you, Natalie.
I am taking the course online. In person would have been wonderful, but the commute is a bit too far for just one class.
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Congratulations on getting your manuscript to your editor! WooHoo!
I am so excited for your Mediumship course! The course I took in my early 30s was *life-changing* in so many profound ways! I do hope you’ll share about when you’re ready 🙂 No pressure!
So glad you were able to recover your puzzle piece! The final product is so cute!
Hope you’re having a great weekend!
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Thank you, Melissa.
Yes, I imagine I will share. I’m excited about it and eager to get started. A friend of mine (not in our coffee share group) is taking courses already and enjoying them. Her class was so far a commute for me, but I’m looking forward to comparing the things we learn.
Happy Sunday.
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