• A Perfectly Proper Review for the Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum by Kirsten Weiss

    A Perfectly Proper Review for the Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum by Kirsten Weiss

    I’ve only reviewed two cozy mystery novels at Books & Tea, so I easily consider myself a newbie to this genre; however, I’m already beginning to understand what elements I need to ensure I adore a cozy mystery novel.

    1. There must be a small town vibe
    2. There must be witty banter between the BFF4Es
    3. Paranormal elements are a perk
    4. CATS!!!!!

    The Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum by Kirsten Weiss met two of the four requirements.

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  • Ten Ways to Avoid Being Productive on a Snow Day

    Snow Day

    It is a truth universally acknowledged, that snow days are still exciting even when one is an adult. Unless, of course, your employer is cruel and still makes you drive to work despite the foot of snow on the ground. I’ve been there too, and I feel for you. However, let me briefly boast that my employer is not cruel.

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  • Blackberry Hand Pies and Engagements

    blackberry engagement

    I have an announcement!

    I baked some semi-homemade, blackberry hand pies, and they were delicious.

    Also, I’m engaged!

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  • By Jove! Bryson, you’ve done it again. | The Road to Little Dribbling by Bill Bryson

    By Jove! Bryson, you’ve done it again. | The Road to Little Dribbling by Bill Bryson

    I don’t remember how I discovered the author, Bill Bryson, but I do remember reading Notes from a Small Island during summer break following my sophomore year of college. Like most college, summer “vacations”, I spent my days working in a factory– this particular one a plastic injection mold factory that made bumpers for (foreign-made) cars. It was particularly grueling, and often I would come home saturated in water from gigantic, steam-powered machines as well as sweat because Michigan was experiencing record-breaking temperatures that year. That summer, I also read eleven books while at work because my machine often broke down. Maintenance wasn’t a priority because the factory was closing its doors at the end of summer anyway; this was the reality of Michigan in 2007-2008. Michigan’s economy was crumbling, but I was too caught up in living vicariously through Bill Bryson’s grand tour of the United Kingdom to notice. Little did I know that around this time, or at least shortly after, Bryson was beginning yet another grand tour around the United Kingdom in preparation for his recent release The Road to Little Dribbling. And, by Jove! It’s damn near perfect.

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  • Books & Tea Celebrates FIVE Years

    HAPPY BLOGOVERSARYIt just dawned on me that it’s my blogoversary. I actually don’t know what day I officially launched my blog, just that it was an otherwise listless day back in January 2011. I was tidying things up around here, and at the time I couldn’t figure out how my introductory post contributed to my blog, so I deleted it, but for the sake of sentimentality, I kind of wish it were still around.

    I’ve never made a big deal out of my blogoversary before, but considering I’ve been writing at Books & Tea for five years, I thought I’d make a small celebratory post. FIVE YEARS! That’s a heck of a milestone.

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About the Blogger

My name is Jackie, and I am a millennial / mother / Michigander / blogger / wannabe runner / accountant / local library enthusiast / gamer, kinda. This is a personal blog, which means I’m not entirely certain what you’ll find here, but it will definitely not show up on the first page of Google search results.