#BOOK REVIEWS: MORE THAN COFFEE: Memories in Verse and Prose!!

On By Baydreamer - Lauren ScottIn Book Reviews, Writing

While I work on my upcoming poetry collection entitled, Ever So Gently, I am delighted to still watch beautiful reviews for More than Coffee continue to trickle in. As I mention in the preface, “Whatever roast I sip, it’s the people, places, experiences, and memories that matter most to me-coffee just happens to be a bonus.” And this is exactly what compiling these memories was all about in the first place. Of course, you can sip any drink you enjoy while (I hope) relishing my stories and poems. But I’ll add that the cover of the book is a photo that was taken at Spider Lake in The Sierra, a favorite backpacking spot of mine and my husband’s. And there’s nothing like a hot cup of coffee in the mountains in the early morning hours when the sun is just waking up.

A big thanks to Michele, Debby, Darlene, and Alex (Trish) who are fabulous writers in our amazing online community! ❤️

By Michele Lee Sefton

Reading the poems and stories found in More than Coffee, by Lauren Scott, felt like being served a combination of delicious home-cooked food, with hot coffee of course, engaging in conversation with a friend, and strolling through family photo albums. If you are in the mood for a wholesome read about family, written by a writer who comes across as grateful, sentimental, and compassionate, then I recommend Scott’s charming memories in verse and prose.

By DGKaye

A beautiful book of short slices of poignant moments of life in the author’s life, enhanced with poetic snapshots of life.

Scott invites us into her gratitude, loving memories and pieces of time that were stepping stones to her growth in life and relationships. I could relate to her stories, even though they were her stories. How legend Barbra Streisand was her idol and spurred on her love for music and singing into her hair brush microphone, how in a moment she knew her husband would become the love of her life and how time played out until their meeting was ripe.

Memories in verse and prose of personal times and achievements in romance, love growth, like when the nest became empty, love and loss with her father in law, pushing limits to go backpacking in later years. Written in a personal telling as though the author opened up her heart and shared memories, inviting us into her slices of life that many of us will find relatable in our own lives. This book is a love letter of gratitude of a life well lived and felt.

By Darlene Foster

I enjoy the natural, easy-to-relate-to, style of Lauren Scott’s writing. In the preface, she mentions that – “Whatever roast I sip, it’s the people, places, experiences, and memories that matter most to me-coffee just happens to be a bonus.” I’m sure I will be forgiven for relaxing with a cup of tea as I relaxed and devoured her collection of short vignettes and poems inspired by her life, past and present. Some of my favourite pieces include “Silver Heirlooms”; memories of parents no longer with us. “Red Lipstick” which made me recall watching my own mother put on her make-up. “Belong” is a perfect poem for couples in love; perfect for Valentine’s Day. “97 Years” is a wonderful legacy of a man of substance and made me think of my dear mom and how she had to deal with the loneliness of the pandemic. “The Phone Call” reminded me of my daughter and our lengthy phone calls discussing everything and bringing us closer in spite of an ocean between us. There is something for everyone in this well-written collection which is definitely more than coffee.

By Alex Craigie 

This collection of poetry and short stories is described by Lauren Scott as ‘memories in verse and prose’. She has captured the mood and experiences so well, they resonated and reminded me of my own.
The author writes about simple, everyday moments. In The Right Time her poem about letting go of things contains a familiar note of caution – “some things do need to be held onto.
To let go of everything/would be like watching a balloon/ escaping into the big blue sky/ slowly fading away.”
These short pieces delight, comfort, amuse, and paint grief and longing as effectively as a full-length novel. Laughing Spiders made me chuckle with recognition (as an arachnophobe) whereas The Phone Call is a poignant piece about empty nesters. 1989 tells of falling in love but carries a warning:
“Don’t ever think you can change someone. Accept them for who they are or move on.” This advice could save many a relationship!
The selection is personal but the truths captured within them speak to everyone. There are references to family life and the grief of losing parents, but also to well-observed moments including backpacking and camping trips, singing in concert halls and falling in love.
Two of my favourite pieces are Simple Existence and The Gift – both are syllabic poems and the writing is exquisite. These are poems that made me stop and take stock. They gave me goosebumps.

Below are two favorites mentioned in these reviews:

The Gift

Tranquility embraces –
the sun’s exit advances.
Listening to whispers
among the trees,
our time here is a gift,
and when we depart,
the gift will belong
to someone else.

Belonging

Do you trust me? Will you
take my hand and let me
lead the way to a place
transcending boundaries
of our reality? Let us get
lost in tranquility –
dancing to the majesty of 
the surroundings, feeling
rhythm vibrate through our
bones. For as long as our
hearts desire, this is our
destination. Time is but
a memory. Its existence
leaves no trace on the path
where we tread. There is
only you, me, and the intensity 
of our belonging to each other.

And another favorite of other’s for this new season of spring. One daffodil in the sunshine provided inspiration…

The Teacher

Its canary boldness
rises up to the sun
alone, yet not lonely,
hearing nothing,
but wearing bravery
on each petal –
standing tall with
spirit in lean
green attire, as if
soaking up the day’s
endless possibilities.

I am grateful for these lovely reviews and for all that my book has received. And Thank You in advance to those who may decide to sink into my memories in the future. And as I’ve read here in the land of blogging, reviews are like hugs, so if you enjoy my book, well, I won’t ask...🤗

Thanks so much for stopping by and for reading!

Stay well and happy,

Lauren ❤️

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.

101 thoughts on “#BOOK REVIEWS: MORE THAN COFFEE: Memories in Verse and Prose!!”

    1. Thanks for your support, Diana. After over a year, I’m thrilled, to say the least. And I appreciate your amazing review as well. The second book is coming along, but it’s taking a little longer than I had anticipated. So far, my target timeline is still around Mother’s Day. ❤️🤞🏻

      Reply

    1. Thanks for your lovely words, Cheryl! I hope you enjoy my memories when you get the chance to read them (while sipping coffee, tea, wine, or whatever you enjoy). ☕️ I’m just about finished with my current book, then I’m going to start Grow Damn it! And I’m looking forward to reading too. The title alone makes me chuckle. By the way, I thought I had followed your blog, but WP said otherwise, so I clicked follow again. Technology!
      It’s great to connect with you. ❤️🤗

      Reply

  10. Congratulations dear friend 🌹🙏🥰💝 so much enjoyed your lovely article and inspiring lines 👍🏻😊
    Wishing your Book 📖 so well doing by grace of God 🙏👌you also a great Author and All The Best 👏

    Reply

  13. You got some wonderful reviews, Lauren! ❤ And lots of warm comments too.
    I just posted my review on Amazon.ca and Goodreads. Hopefully Amazon will accept the review. They are sometimes finicky. For some unexplainable reason they rejected my review of Carrie Rubin's Fatal Rounds.
    All the best in your writing xxx

    Reply

    1. Oh, Wow! Carol, I just read your beautiful review on Goodreads! Thank you SO much! That was fast! You are a fast reader and reviewer. I’m not so fast. But I truly appreciate you reading my book and I’m so happy you enjoyed it. I’m literally doing a happy dance again! And I didn’t see it on Amazon, just so you know. But they can be finicky. I’ve also perused your Amazon page and I don’t see a paperback version for The Lilac Notebook. Am I missing it or are your books only in kindle version? I can read in kindle, but I prefer the physical book. I collect them like mugs. 🙂 Anyway, thank you again, and let me know about your book too. Sending gratitude hugs! ❤️

      Reply

      1. Hi Lauren,
        Guess what? I got this from Amazon:

        Thank you for submitting a customer review on Amazon. After carefully reviewing your submission, your review could not be posted to the website. It appears your content did not comply with our guidelines.

        While we appreciate your time and comments, reviews must adhere to the following guidelines
        Amazon Community Guidelines

        from Carol Balawyder on April 13, 2023
        Fairy Tales Do Exist
        More Than Coffee is a tribute of love to her family. It is an intimate look at her thirty-two-year-old marriage – a husband whom she met serendipitously by selling a fridge.
        The book is a mixture of prose and poetry with some touching lines.

        I have been getting the run around from Amazon asking them what specifically in my review does not comply to their community guidelines.
        Anyway, I’m still waiting for their response and in the meantime I am happy that my review at least was posted on Goodreads.
        Thank you for telling me about The Lilac NoteBook not on my Amazon page. It is available in paperback as well as e-book.
        Have a great weekend, Lauren. You are a true inspiration. ❤

    1. Hi Kamal, thanks so much for taking the time to read these wonderful reviews for my book. If you ever get the chance to read More than Coffee, I hope you find the same amount of enjoyment as these amazing writers have experienced. Thanks so much for your lovely words and support! Hugs 💗🙏🏻

      Reply

      1. Ya for sure Lauren, will go to Amazon and buy your book. It sounds very interesting. Even I have penned a poetry book Poet’s Touch. It is available on Amazon Kindle. Always welcome. Lots of love and hugs.

      15. Oh, thank you, Kamal! I appreciate it and yours will arrive tomorrow. I bought the paperback. 🙂 Happy reading to us both and Cheers to supporting each other too. Have a wonderful Friday, my friend. ❤️🌺🌸🎉

    1. Aww, Resa, thank you! You wrote an amazing review and I know that is your favorite poem. It makes my heart happy to read the different takeaways for everyone. Something personal in a different poem or story. And that is what I ultimately wish for…You are appreciated! ❤️

      Reply

  18. Bravooooo Lauren. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Oh girl, I know you must be grinning from ear to ear. 😁 These are some awesome “shout-outs” and I know your heart is beaming with joy, and gratitude. I love the takeaways too. What an honor it is, when others support you so intimately. The feeling is so grand. Thanks so much for sharing such fabulous news! 🥰💖😘

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much for your wonderful words of support, Kym, and again, your awesome energy that buzzes through the screen. 🙂 Yep, I’m still doing the happy dance, which is why I’m grateful I’m not on video! 😍😍😍🎶🎉❤️❤️🤗

      Reply

      1. You are so very welcome Lauren. Girl, go ahead and dance. Don’t worry about who is watching. Maybe they will join you and dance too! 💃🏼🎶👯‍♂️🎵🎤 Bask in your celebration! 🥳

  20. alexcraigie

    Thank you for using my review of your lovely book, Lauren. I really enjoyed the collection – and you can have lots of hugs to go along with the review! ❤

    Reply

    1. You’re so welcome, Trish! I was humbled by your beautiful review, and I’m glad you loved my book! Thanks for the hugs too and I’m sending some your way now! 🙂 Do you have a blog to follow? I’d love to stay in touch. Thanks again! 💞

      Reply

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