Lucy Mitchell's Blog, page 55

When Should You Disturb A Book Lover? #TuesdayBookBlog #Bookworms #Booklovers

When is the right time to disturb a book lover?

Interrupting a reader at the wrong time can lead to:

An uncomfortable atmosphere.
A glare.
A snarl.
Muttering under the breath.
An angry outburst.
Bad thoughts about you forming inside the reader’s head.
Danger.

Don’t panic because I have some advice:

If you spot any of these warning signs then it is best to leave your reader alone:

Your reader is engrossed in a book and is totally relaxed. Don’t spoil a lovely reading moment by disturbing them.
Your reader has just come in through the front door clutching their latest book purchase from the local book shop and has raced over to the armchair with a goofy happy smile on their face. Don’t go near them.
Your reader has raved about how wonderful their book is and how it has taken them to new heights of reading enjoyment. Stay away for a good hour or so.
Your reader is sat with their book, looking a little flushed, dabbing their sweaty brow maybe, biting their lip and occasionally looking up to see if anyone is watching them. Your reader is enjoying a naughty bit so leave them alone….(*Blonde writer pauses to gaze out of her kitchen window, with a dreamy expression on her face and reflect on the last naughty bit she read in a book*)
Your reader keeps muttering the name of the book’s fictional character in their sleep and wakes early to do a spot of reading before work. Give this reader a wide berth – they have a crush on a fictional character and need to be left alone to work through their feelings.
Your reader has finished their book and is now writing a review. Leave well alone as this is very important and good magical things will happen to them for the rest of the day. They may also feature in the author’s gratitude list and they might get a mention on social media.
Your reader has been quiet for hours whilst engrossed in their book. Being disturbed whilst deep inside a book can be harmful for a reader. Think of it like a diver coming up to the surface too quickly. Let your reader surface naturally.

Do not even think about committing the deadliest of book sins either – trying to catch their attention by talking about their book when you have already READ it.

For your own safety do not try this at home.

This is a dangerous way of disturbing someone who is engrossed in a good book.

Can you imagine what would happen to you if you gave the plot twist away by mistake?

Value your life. Do NOT disturb a reader with your views on the book’s middle or ending.

Here are the signs that you want to be looking out for when thinking about interrupting your reader.

These are good signs that it is time to disturb:

Your reader is yawning a lot and flicking through the pages quickly. They are struggling with the book so will welcome a distraction.
Your reader has placed their book down and is rising from their chair. Go for it!
Your reader announces that they have finished their book.
Your reader can be heard criticizing the author, muttering under their breath and shaking their head a lot. The book has sadly not lived up to their expectations and a break away from these negative thoughts is needed.

Finally, if you have to disturb your reader whilst they are engrossed in an amazing book, make sure you have good reason to!

The following are not good enough:

You want help unloading the dishwasher.
The house needs cleaning.
You have no clean clothes.
The kids won’t stop squabbling and the pets won’t stop being naughty.
You want them to talk to you about Brexit.

Your reader is in a state of literary euphoria, leave them alone and….get on with the housework! Sigh!

Good luck on disturbing your reader!

If you like my post you might like my new debut novel. Click here for more info.

[image error]

When Should You Disturb A Book Lover? #TuesdayBookBlog #Bookworms #Booklovers

When is the right time to disturb a book lover?

Interrupting a reader at the wrong time can lead to:

An uncomfortable atmosphere.
A glare.
A snarl.
Muttering under the breath.
An angry outburst.
Bad thoughts about you forming inside the reader’s head.
Danger.

Don’t panic because I have some advice:

If you spot any of these warning signs then it is best to leave your reader alone:

Your reader is engrossed in a book and is totally relaxed. Don’t spoil a lovely reading moment by disturbing them.
Your reader has just come in through the front door clutching their latest book purchase from the local book shop and has raced over to the armchair with a goofy happy smile on their face. Don’t go near them.
Your reader has raved about how wonderful their book is and how it has taken them to new heights of reading enjoyment. Stay away for a good hour or so.
Your reader is sat with their book, looking a little flushed, dabbing their sweaty brow maybe, biting their lip and occasionally looking up to see if anyone is watching them. Your reader is enjoying a naughty bit so leave them alone….(*Blonde writer pauses to gaze out of her kitchen window, with a dreamy expression on her face and reflect on the last naughty bit she read in a book*)
Your reader keeps muttering the name of the book’s fictional character in their sleep and wakes early to do a spot of reading before work. Give this reader a wide berth – they have a crush on a fictional character and need to be left alone to work through their feelings.
Your reader has finished their book and is now writing a review. Leave well alone as this is very important and good magical things will happen to them for the rest of the day. They may also feature in the author’s gratitude list and they might get a mention on social media.
Your reader has been quiet for hours whilst engrossed in their book. Being disturbed whilst deep inside a book can be harmful for a reader. Think of it like a diver coming up to the surface too quickly. Let your reader surface naturally.

Do not even think about committing the deadliest of book sins either – trying to catch their attention by talking about their book when you have already READ it.

For your own safety do not try this at home.

This is a dangerous way of disturbing someone who is engrossed in a good book.

Can you imagine what would happen to you if you gave the plot twist away by mistake?

Value your life. Do NOT disturb a reader with your views on the book’s middle or ending.

Here are the signs that you want to be looking out for when thinking about interrupting your reader.

These are good signs that it is time to disturb:

Your reader is yawning a lot and flicking through the pages quickly. They are struggling with the book so will welcome a distraction.
Your reader has placed their book down and is rising from their chair. Go for it!
Your reader announces that they have finished their book.
Your reader can be heard criticizing the author, muttering under their breath and shaking their head a lot. The book has sadly not lived up to their expectations and a break away from these negative thoughts is needed.

Finally, if you have to disturb your reader whilst they are engrossed in an amazing book, make sure you have good reason to!

The following are not good enough:

You want help unloading the dishwasher.
The house needs cleaning.
You have no clean clothes.
The kids won’t stop squabbling and the pets won’t stop being naughty.
You want them to talk to you about Brexit.

Your reader is in a state of literary euphoria, leave them alone and….get on with the housework! Sigh!

Good luck on disturbing your reader!

If you like my post you might like my new debut novel. Click here for more info.

[image error]

When Should You Disturb A Book Lover? #TuesdayBookBlog #Bookworms #Booklovers

When is the right time to disturb a book lover?

Interrupting a reader at the wrong time can lead to:

An uncomfortable atmosphere.
A glare.
A snarl.
Muttering under the breath.
An angry outburst.
Bad thoughts about you forming inside the reader’s head.
Danger.

Don’t panic because I have some advice:

If you spot any of these warning signs then it is best to leave your reader alone:

Your reader is engrossed in a book and is totally relaxed. Don’t spoil a lovely reading moment by disturbing them.
Your reader has just come in through the front door clutching their latest book purchase from the local book shop and has raced over to the armchair with a goofy happy smile on their face. Don’t go near them.
Your reader has raved about how wonderful their book is and how it has taken them to new heights of reading enjoyment. Stay away for a good hour or so.
Your reader is sat with their book, looking a little flushed, dabbing their sweaty brow maybe, biting their lip and occasionally looking up to see if anyone is watching them. Your reader is enjoying a naughty bit so leave them alone….(*Blonde writer pauses to gaze out of her kitchen window, with a dreamy expression on her face and reflect on the last naughty bit she read in a book*)
Your reader keeps muttering the name of the book’s fictional character in their sleep and wakes early to do a spot of reading before work. Give this reader a wide berth – they have a crush on a fictional character and need to be left alone to work through their feelings.
Your reader has finished their book and is now writing a review. Leave well alone as this is very important and good magical things will happen to them for the rest of the day. They may also feature in the author’s gratitude list and they might get a mention on social media.
Your reader has been quiet for hours whilst engrossed in their book. Being disturbed whilst deep inside a book can be harmful for a reader. Think of it like a diver coming up to the surface too quickly. Let your reader surface naturally.

Do not even think about committing the deadliest of book sins either – trying to catch their attention by talking about their book when you have already READ it.

For your own safety do not try this at home.

This is a dangerous way of disturbing someone who is engrossed in a good book.

Can you imagine what would happen to you if you gave the plot twist away by mistake?

Value your life. Do NOT disturb a reader with your views on the book’s middle or ending.

Here are the signs that you want to be looking out for when thinking about interrupting your reader.

These are good signs that it is time to disturb:

Your reader is yawning a lot and flicking through the pages quickly. They are struggling with the book so will welcome a distraction.
Your reader has placed their book down and is rising from their chair. Go for it!
Your reader announces that they have finished their book.
Your reader can be heard criticizing the author, muttering under their breath and shaking their head a lot. The book has sadly not lived up to their expectations and a break away from these negative thoughts is needed.

Finally, if you have to disturb your reader whilst they are engrossed in an amazing book, make sure you have good reason to!

The following are not good enough:

You want help unloading the dishwasher.
The house needs cleaning.
You have no clean clothes.
The kids won’t stop squabbling and the pets won’t stop being naughty.
You want them to talk to you about Brexit.

Your reader is in a state of literary euphoria, leave them alone and….get on with the housework! Sigh!

Good luck on disturbing your reader!

If you like my post you might like my new debut novel. Click here for more info.

[image error]

When Should You Disturb A Book Lover? #TuesdayBookBlog #Bookworms #Booklovers

When is the right time to disturb a book lover?

Interrupting a reader at the wrong time can lead to:

An uncomfortable atmosphere.
A glare.
A snarl.
Muttering under the breath.
An angry outburst.
Bad thoughts about you forming inside the reader’s head.
Danger.

Don’t panic because I have some advice:

If you spot any of these warning signs then it is best to leave your reader alone:

Your reader is engrossed in a book and is totally relaxed. Don’t spoil a lovely reading moment by disturbing them.
Your reader has just come in through the front door clutching their latest book purchase from the local book shop and has raced over to the armchair with a goofy happy smile on their face. Don’t go near them.
Your reader has raved about how wonderful their book is and how it has taken them to new heights of reading enjoyment. Stay away for a good hour or so.
Your reader is sat with their book, looking a little flushed, dabbing their sweaty brow maybe, biting their lip and occasionally looking up to see if anyone is watching them. Your reader is enjoying a naughty bit so leave them alone….(*Blonde writer pauses to gaze out of her kitchen window, with a dreamy expression on her face and reflect on the last naughty bit she read in a book*)
Your reader keeps muttering the name of the book’s fictional character in their sleep and wakes early to do a spot of reading before work. Give this reader a wide berth – they have a crush on a fictional character and need to be left alone to work through their feelings.
Your reader has finished their book and is now writing a review. Leave well alone as this is very important and good magical things will happen to them for the rest of the day. They may also feature in the author’s gratitude list and they might get a mention on social media.
Your reader has been quiet for hours whilst engrossed in their book. Being disturbed whilst deep inside a book can be harmful for a reader. Think of it like a diver coming up to the surface too quickly. Let your reader surface naturally.

Do not even think about committing the deadliest of book sins either – trying to catch their attention by talking about their book when you have already READ it.

For your own safety do not try this at home.

This is a dangerous way of disturbing someone who is engrossed in a good book.

Can you imagine what would happen to you if you gave the plot twist away by mistake?

Value your life. Do NOT disturb a reader with your views on the book’s middle or ending.

Here are the signs that you want to be looking out for when thinking about interrupting your reader.

These are good signs that it is time to disturb:

Your reader is yawning a lot and flicking through the pages quickly. They are struggling with the book so will welcome a distraction.
Your reader has placed their book down and is rising from their chair. Go for it!
Your reader announces that they have finished their book.
Your reader can be heard criticizing the author, muttering under their breath and shaking their head a lot. The book has sadly not lived up to their expectations and a break away from these negative thoughts is needed.

Finally, if you have to disturb your reader whilst they are engrossed in an amazing book, make sure you have good reason to!

The following are not good enough:

You want help unloading the dishwasher.
The house needs cleaning.
You have no clean clothes.
The kids won’t stop squabbling and the pets won’t stop being naughty.
You want them to talk to you about Brexit.

Your reader is in a state of literary euphoria, leave them alone and….get on with the housework! Sigh!

Good luck on disturbing your reader!

If you like my post you might like my new debut novel. Click here for more info.

[image error]

When Should You Disturb A Book Lover? #TuesdayBookBlog #Bookworms #Booklovers

When is the right time to disturb a book lover?

Interrupting a reader at the wrong time can lead to:

An uncomfortable atmosphere.
A glare.
A snarl.
Muttering under the breath.
An angry outburst.
Bad thoughts about you forming inside the reader’s head.
Danger.

Don’t panic because I have some advice:

If you spot any of these warning signs then it is best to leave your reader alone:

Your reader is engrossed in a book and is totally relaxed. Don’t spoil a lovely reading moment by disturbing them.
Your reader has just come in through the front door clutching their latest book purchase from the local book shop and has raced over to the armchair with a goofy happy smile on their face. Don’t go near them.
Your reader has raved about how wonderful their book is and how it has taken them to new heights of reading enjoyment. Stay away for a good hour or so.
Your reader is sat with their book, looking a little flushed, dabbing their sweaty brow maybe, biting their lip and occasionally looking up to see if anyone is watching them. Your reader is enjoying a naughty bit so leave them alone….(*Blonde writer pauses to gaze out of her kitchen window, with a dreamy expression on her face and reflect on the last naughty bit she read in a book*)
Your reader keeps muttering the name of the book’s fictional character in their sleep and wakes early to do a spot of reading before work. Give this reader a wide berth – they have a crush on a fictional character and need to be left alone to work through their feelings.
Your reader has finished their book and is now writing a review. Leave well alone as this is very important and good magical things will happen to them for the rest of the day. They may also feature in the author’s gratitude list and they might get a mention on social media.
Your reader has been quiet for hours whilst engrossed in their book. Being disturbed whilst deep inside a book can be harmful for a reader. Think of it like a diver coming up to the surface too quickly. Let your reader surface naturally.

Do not even think about committing the deadliest of book sins either – trying to catch their attention by talking about their book when you have already READ it.

For your own safety do not try this at home.

This is a dangerous way of disturbing someone who is engrossed in a good book.

Can you imagine what would happen to you if you gave the plot twist away by mistake?

Value your life. Do NOT disturb a reader with your views on the book’s middle or ending.

Here are the signs that you want to be looking out for when thinking about interrupting your reader.

These are good signs that it is time to disturb:

Your reader is yawning a lot and flicking through the pages quickly. They are struggling with the book so will welcome a distraction.
Your reader has placed their book down and is rising from their chair. Go for it!
Your reader announces that they have finished their book.
Your reader can be heard criticizing the author, muttering under their breath and shaking their head a lot. The book has sadly not lived up to their expectations and a break away from these negative thoughts is needed.

Finally, if you have to disturb your reader whilst they are engrossed in an amazing book, make sure you have good reason to!

The following are not good enough:

You want help unloading the dishwasher.
The house needs cleaning.
You have no clean clothes.
The kids won’t stop squabbling and the pets won’t stop being naughty.
You want them to talk to you about Brexit.

Your reader is in a state of literary euphoria, leave them alone and….get on with the housework! Sigh!

Good luck on disturbing your reader!

If you like my post you might like my new debut novel. Click here for more info.

[image error]

When Should You Disturb A Book Lover? #TuesdayBookBlog #Bookworms #Booklovers

When is the right time to disturb a book lover?

Interrupting a reader at the wrong time can lead to:

An uncomfortable atmosphere.
A glare.
A snarl.
Muttering under the breath.
An angry outburst.
Bad thoughts about you forming inside the reader’s head.
Danger.

Don’t panic because I have some advice:

If you spot any of these warning signs then it is best to leave your reader alone:

Your reader is engrossed in a book and is totally relaxed. Don’t spoil a lovely reading moment by disturbing them.
Your reader has just come in through the front door clutching their latest book purchase from the local book shop and has raced over to the armchair with a goofy happy smile on their face. Don’t go near them.
Your reader has raved about how wonderful their book is and how it has taken them to new heights of reading enjoyment. Stay away for a good hour or so.
Your reader is sat with their book, looking a little flushed, dabbing their sweaty brow maybe, biting their lip and occasionally looking up to see if anyone is watching them. Your reader is enjoying a naughty bit so leave them alone….(*Blonde writer pauses to gaze out of her kitchen window, with a dreamy expression on her face and reflect on the last naughty bit she read in a book*)
Your reader keeps muttering the name of the book’s fictional character in their sleep and wakes early to do a spot of reading before work. Give this reader a wide berth – they have a crush on a fictional character and need to be left alone to work through their feelings.
Your reader has finished their book and is now writing a review. Leave well alone as this is very important and good magical things will happen to them for the rest of the day. They may also feature in the author’s gratitude list and they might get a mention on social media.
Your reader has been quiet for hours whilst engrossed in their book. Being disturbed whilst deep inside a book can be harmful for a reader. Think of it like a diver coming up to the surface too quickly. Let your reader surface naturally.

Do not even think about committing the deadliest of book sins either – trying to catch their attention by talking about their book when you have already READ it.

For your own safety do not try this at home.

This is a dangerous way of disturbing someone who is engrossed in a good book.

Can you imagine what would happen to you if you gave the plot twist away by mistake?

Value your life. Do NOT disturb a reader with your views on the book’s middle or ending.

Here are the signs that you want to be looking out for when thinking about interrupting your reader.

These are good signs that it is time to disturb:

Your reader is yawning a lot and flicking through the pages quickly. They are struggling with the book so will welcome a distraction.
Your reader has placed their book down and is rising from their chair. Go for it!
Your reader announces that they have finished their book.
Your reader can be heard criticizing the author, muttering under their breath and shaking their head a lot. The book has sadly not lived up to their expectations and a break away from these negative thoughts is needed.

Finally, if you have to disturb your reader whilst they are engrossed in an amazing book, make sure you have good reason to!

The following are not good enough:

You want help unloading the dishwasher.
The house needs cleaning.
You have no clean clothes.
The kids won’t stop squabbling and the pets won’t stop being naughty.
You want them to talk to you about Brexit.

Your reader is in a state of literary euphoria, leave them alone and….get on with the housework! Sigh!

Good luck on disturbing your reader!

If you like my post you might like my new debut novel. Click here for more info.

[image error]

When Should You Disturb A Book Lover? #TuesdayBookBlog #Bookworms #Booklovers

When is the right time to disturb a book lover?

Interrupting a reader at the wrong time can lead to:

An uncomfortable atmosphere.
A glare.
A snarl.
Muttering under the breath.
An angry outburst.
Bad thoughts about you forming inside the reader’s head.
Danger.

Don’t panic because I have some advice:

If you spot any of these warning signs then it is best to leave your reader alone:

Your reader is engrossed in a book and is totally relaxed. Don’t spoil a lovely reading moment by disturbing them.
Your reader has just come in through the front door clutching their latest book purchase from the local book shop and has raced over to the armchair with a goofy happy smile on their face. Don’t go near them.
Your reader has raved about how wonderful their book is and how it has taken them to new heights of reading enjoyment. Stay away for a good hour or so.
Your reader is sat with their book, looking a little flushed, dabbing their sweaty brow maybe, biting their lip and occasionally looking up to see if anyone is watching them. Your reader is enjoying a naughty bit so leave them alone….(*Blonde writer pauses to gaze out of her kitchen window, with a dreamy expression on her face and reflect on the last naughty bit she read in a book*)
Your reader keeps muttering the name of the book’s fictional character in their sleep and wakes early to do a spot of reading before work. Give this reader a wide berth – they have a crush on a fictional character and need to be left alone to work through their feelings.
Your reader has finished their book and is now writing a review. Leave well alone as this is very important and good magical things will happen to them for the rest of the day. They may also feature in the author’s gratitude list and they might get a mention on social media.
Your reader has been quiet for hours whilst engrossed in their book. Being disturbed whilst deep inside a book can be harmful for a reader. Think of it like a diver coming up to the surface too quickly. Let your reader surface naturally.

Do not even think about committing the deadliest of book sins either – trying to catch their attention by talking about their book when you have already READ it.

For your own safety do not try this at home.

This is a dangerous way of disturbing someone who is engrossed in a good book.

Can you imagine what would happen to you if you gave the plot twist away by mistake?

Value your life. Do NOT disturb a reader with your views on the book’s middle or ending.

Here are the signs that you want to be looking out for when thinking about interrupting your reader.

These are good signs that it is time to disturb:

Your reader is yawning a lot and flicking through the pages quickly. They are struggling with the book so will welcome a distraction.
Your reader has placed their book down and is rising from their chair. Go for it!
Your reader announces that they have finished their book.
Your reader can be heard criticizing the author, muttering under their breath and shaking their head a lot. The book has sadly not lived up to their expectations and a break away from these negative thoughts is needed.

Finally, if you have to disturb your reader whilst they are engrossed in an amazing book, make sure you have good reason to!

The following are not good enough:

You want help unloading the dishwasher.
The house needs cleaning.
You have no clean clothes.
The kids won’t stop squabbling and the pets won’t stop being naughty.
You want them to talk to you about Brexit.

Your reader is in a state of literary euphoria, leave them alone and….get on with the housework! Sigh!

Good luck on disturbing your reader!

If you like my post you might like my new debut novel. Click here for more info.

[image error]

How to Survive Comparing Your Unfinished Draft to a Successful Author’s Bestselling Novel #AmWriting

Some of us will never stop doing this.

All we can do is learn to survive it.

Here are the stages of comparing your unfinished draft to a successful author’s bestselling novel:

Reading euphoria. Your favourite author’s latest book is hard to put down and you’ve not surfaced for food, drink or some basic form of interaction with another human being for most of the day.  Their book is AMAZING. As you reach a juicy bit in the book you get a rush of what can only be described as reading euphoria.
Panic. During this intense spell you become aware of a helpful  little voice inside you saying, ‘you couldn’t write anything like this’. You start to think about what the little voice has said. You place the book in your lap as a dark cloud of writer doubt passes over you. In a panic you glance at the pile of papers making up your unfinished draft novel. It’s taken you months to reach this stage and the project is not even finished. Up until you read this book you thought your draft novel was pretty awesome.
Comparison Hell. You enter what can only be described as a form of writer comparison hell. Your mind starts to unpick your draft whilst replaying the amazing bits of the book that you are reading back to you. The helpful  little voice returns and gives a handy running commentary on how your draft does not have this author’s engaging tone, your draft does not contain the plot twists that this author’s book possesses and your draft does not have the amazing characters which bring this author’s book to life. You reach out for a box of tissues. All those loving  feelings for your draft novel are washed away with your tears.
Gigantic cloud of self doubt. After some careful consideration you decide that the best thing all round will be for you to quit writing. You could never come up with something as good as this book. There is no hope for you so why put yourself through anymore misery?  The literary dream is over.
Acceptance. You finally come to your literary senses after much heartache. You accept the fact that this author has probably gone through endless drafts to get it to this polished state. At some stage they probably had a draft of this book in a similar state to yours. You also accept the fact that readers have different literary tastes and not everyone will like this author’s book (you choose to ignore their Amazon chart ranking). You decide to return to your book as you don’t want to deprive yourself any longer. You also decide not to quit writing and threaten to return to your unfinished draft later. All is right with the world again!

When you think about how silly the act of comparing your unfinished draft to something as polished as a successful author’s latest book you do actually come to your senses.

Here are some things to bear in mind:

Your succesful author’s book has been through NUMEROUS revisions. It will have been changed, edited and rewritten a LOT before it hit the shelves. It has been polished so much, the damn thing shines! Your draft hasn’t and more importantly it’s still not finished. You are also not comparing apples with apples here. If your story had been through the same process then you could compare it.
Your draft is still at the ‘ugly duckling’ phase. All draft novels go through this stage.
Your successful author’s book even went through the unfinished draft stage and probably looked nothing like what it does today.
Behind every great book on sale are hours, days, months and in some cases years of hard work.

So, how do you learn to survive this?

Make notes on what made their book so good. Use this insight to feed into your own work.
Read book acknowledgments more. This is where an author documents their struggle, pain and journey to publication. If you read these you will see that the journey to a published bestselling novel is long and arduous.
Take out an old project you wrote a few years ago and compare your current draft. Look at how far you have progressed. This is the comparison we should all be doing.

Keep writing and finish your book!

Before The Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi #TuesdayBookBlog #Bookish

Before The Coffee Gets Cold somehow found its way into my hands as I floated around Waterstones in a birthday gift card book buying binge. I don’t recall picking it up. When I got home I discovered it in my bag. Strange. So, I was on the verge of taking it back and swapping for a steamy romance but after reading the blurb and finding it fascinating, I decided to give this book a home.

This story is about a strange cafe in Tokyo which allows its customers to time travel. From this cafe they can either return to their own past or visit the future.

The time travel sounded amazing to me, however then I read that there were a number of restrictions which apply to the time travel:

You can’t go back in time and meddle with things. The present cannot be changed.
You can only stay in the past or future until your cup of coffee gets cold so not long to enjoy yourself.
You can only meet people from your past or future in the cafe.
You can’t leave your seat.
You can’t just waltz in off the street and time travel. You have to be patient with your wish. Only one chair in the cafe permits you to time travel and you have to wait until it becomes vacant. It is always occupied by a strange ghost woman who rarely moves.

By this point I was thinking the author was definitely a time travel party pooper!

The novella is made up of four short stories which recount the experiences of four unique individuals who enter the cafe and time travel.

Well, this book proved to be quite a reading experience!

I am going to be honest for the first part of the book I was worrying whether I had made the right decision with not taking it back.

BUT halfway through the book the penny dropped inside my head. I understood what this book was trying to convey. BOOM!

Then everything changed and I was staring in amazement at it.

I do love it when a book opens up like this.

Here’s the blurb:

What would you change if you could go back in time?

In a small back alley in Tokyo, there is a café which has been serving carefully brewed coffee for more than one hundred years. But this coffee shop offers its customers a unique experience: the chance to travel back in time.

In Before the Coffee Gets Cold, we meet four visitors, each of whom is hoping to make use of the café’s time-travelling offer, in order to: confront the man who left them, receive a letter from their husband whose memory has been taken by early onset Alzheimer’s, to see their sister one last time, and to meet the daughter they never got the chance to know.

But the journey into the past does not come without risks: customers must sit in a particular seat, they cannot leave the café, and finally, they must return to the present before the coffee gets cold . . .

Here’s my review:

The first story about Fumiko Kiyokawa, a business woman who wants to redo a talk with her boyfriend, who left her to move to America was like the warm up for the book. I didn’t feel a connection to her but her story set up the cafe, the rules of time travel and how the whole thing works.

The second story about nurse Kohtake, longing to meet her sick husband, who can no longer recognize her was an emotional read. Her love for her husband was so beautifully told. To my surprise it was very uplifting at the end.

The third story of Hirai was an emotion upgrade for me. Hirai wants to tell her little sister she feels sorry for shunning her for years. Well, this author cleverly played my emotions like a musical instrument. He took me to the depths of despair and by the end brought me back to an uplifting climax.

Don’t get my started on the fourth story! I was beside myself. Oh my goodness – what a tale!

I loved the little detail in this book; how the cafe was always cool no matter what the temperature outside was and the detailed descriptions of the character outfits. I also adored how all the stories are interlinked.

This clever and enlightening book is about finding closure to difficult things which have happened in your life and at the same time using the experience as an opportunity to improve the future version of you.

We can’t change the past but we can accept what happened, learn from our mistakes and move forward with a positive mindset.

It also makes you think about who you would go back and talk to?

If you want a quirky and thought provoking read – this is for you!

Click for handy link.

If We Were Having Coffee ☕️ Together: Catch Up On My Author Event Video & Bookish Stuff

If we were having coffee together…

You would be forced to listen to my experience of being filmed earlier this week and how afterwards I ran all the way home to hide under my bed.

There would be a lot of huffing and puffing from my side of the coffee table. You would be expected to reach across and give my arm a reassuring squeeze, while saying, “I’m sure it turned out okay.”

Being filmed is not easy and to make things worse, I read a challenging critique of my next project before I attended the interview. So, as you can imagine, I wasn’t feeling the love for writing. Mental note for the future – don’t read things like this before filming.

I am doing an Author Event at my local library (Usk Community Hub) on Thursday (3rd October) and Monmouthshire County Council have put together a short 3 minute film about me and my book; Instructions For Falling In Love Again

This was the Facebook post that went out.

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Here’s the link.

Let me know what you think?

You would then have to give me some soothing and encouraging words for my Author Event.

Maybe even a warm hug? One which would go on for longer than necessary as I would be clinging onto you for dear life and then there would be an awkward silence between us.

The thought of standing up and talking is already giving me jitters.

Any words of advice from those of you who stand up and talk regularly?  

I have to cover my writing journey so far, my experience of self publishing and my book. Pray for me.

We would then discuss my next project which has the working title of HeartBreak Cafe. Once again there would be lots of huffing and puffing from my end of the coffee table.

I would then talk about my recent critique and how an unexpected three hour visit to the car garage helped me to recover from the sting of challenging feedback.

I am actually a fan of feedback which makes you wince. This is what brings you on as a writer, but it is still hard to deal with.

You wouldn’t get a word in edgeways because after discussing my feedback we would be straight onto the books I am currently reading.

I would tell you at long length all about my current fascination with YA romance which to me feels like a cloud of butterflies, stolen kisses, secrets and sweaty palms. Love it!

At this point my Instagram feed would be whipped out and you would endure me telling you all about my obsession with pretty book covers.

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At this point in our coffee date you will be hoping I stop talking just so that you can say something.

Our cake would arrive and you would be relieved. Surely she won’t talk while eating cake, you say to yourself.

To your surprise and disappointment I would shove a wedge of cake into my mouth and then launch into telling you all about my work night out this week. It resulted in me feeling fragile the next morning. By following me on Insta you get live updates on my hangovers.

I would tell you all about how I am a light weight when it comes to drinking and how I always have to go home after what feels like one glass of wine. You would then hear all about how I managed 5 drinks (inc 2 soft drinks) and then had to go home