Coffee Blog

Coffee and my summer reading challenge proposal.

Writing Sparkle

Welcome to the twenty-third book review of fifty-three. As you know, I used to provide freelance book reviews to several review companies. It was a great experience that introduced me to new authors and their wonderful books. Each week this year, I’m opening my Weekend Coffee shares with a link to a review I’ve provided. Reviews are three stars or higher. The genres range from picture books to fiction and nonfiction titles. This week’s book, however, connected to my book club’s April theme of fairy tales and mythology.

Kissing the Witch: Old Tales in New Skins
Author is Emma Donoghue
Published in February 1999
The publisher is Harper Collins
Available in Audiobook, MP3 CD, and Paperback (240 pages)
Literary Fiction for Young Adults | Short Stories for Young Adults | Books on LGBTQ2S+ Issues for Young Adults

If we were having coffee, I would share that I completed my Reiki Level 2 certification. It was a wonderful day full of energy and learning. (Sorry, I didn’t take a new picture. So, I shared my level 1 picture again.)

If we were having coffee, I would share that my youngest son is now a teen. I made a Rice Krispies birthday cake for him, which was an interesting experience (but a hit). He and I are going on a mother-son trip later in the year, probably not until fall or winter. But we are looking forward to planning and booking it.

If we were having coffee, I would share that I’ve challenged myself in relation to my to-be-read pile. I am going to read as many of the following books as I can before the end of the summer:

  1. The Akashic Records Made Easy
  2. Silver Borne
  3. River Marked
  4. Complete Book of Solitaire and Patience Games
  5. Reiki Healing for Beginners
  6. Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing
  7. Children of Ruin
  8. The Book of Cernunnos
  9. The Girl Who Survived
  10.  Understanding the Tarot Court
  11.  The Fantasy Fiction Formula
  12.  Save The Cat Writes a Novel
  13.  Animal Spirit Guides
  14.  The Language of Lenormand
  15.  Everyday Witch’s Book of Deities
  16.  The Zen of Joy

My reward—besides the enjoyment of reading—is a big book shopping adventure. Is anyone interested in joining me for a summer reading challenge? You set your reading goal and leave a link in the comment section to any posts where you share about your progress in the challenge.

If we were having coffee, I would end by reminding you of my resource page. It has information for writers and editors. I add to it when I have a positive experience with a new resource.

Here is the coffee bean grinder. How was your week?
Leave a link to your Coffee Share in the comment section below.

By Shari Marshall (2026)

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Published by Writing Sparkle

12 thoughts on “Coffee and my summer reading challenge proposal.”

  3. Happy birthday to your son! My oldest son have a birthday next week, he is already 21! Best of luck with your summer reading challenge. I’ve decided to read at least one book a week just for fun this summer, not related to work/school. This week I read a book about growing kitchen herbs. I learned a lot about how to over winter them in our climate, and some new ways to use them in the kitchen.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Happy early birthday to your son, Maria.

      A book a week is a wonderful challenge. The kitchen herb book sounds interesting.

      Thank you for stopping in. Happy Sunday.

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  4. Ooo, I like this! I’ve been tracking my reading progress for the year (and plan to do a cross stitch for it). So far, I read 9 in January, 15 in February, 6 in March, 7 in April, and 5 in May. Hard to believe that in the shortest month I read 3 times what I read in May! My goal for the summer is to pick it back up. It doesn’t have to be 15 every month, but certainly at least 8-9. For June so far, I’m at 1. But I’m almost done with a second one! I’ll keep you posted.

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      1. Sometimes. I should do more reviews. I love to read, but summarizing my feelings about it is harder for me, haha. I started doing #WWW Wednesdays where I talk about what I’m reading, so that’s a good way to get things out there! In fact, the author of a book I read recently actually commented on my post!

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        1. Yes, sometimes the commitment to writing the review gets me because I’m too eager to start reading another book. Haha.

          I think that’s wonderful that the author commented on your post.

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  5. Really enjoyed reading your post. I used to be a bookworm back in my childhood. I still like reading, but I’m a slow reader. Recently I started “An American Tragedy”. I love the plot and characters, but as long as I’m reading in English, which is not my first language, I’m going a bit slow. So my goal for the summer is to finish this book.

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    1. I think slow reading is great; it is a wonderful way to take in the full story. I confess, I haven’t read “An American Tragedy.” Good luck with your goal. I hope you will share your opinion of it when you finish.

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