*Titled as such even though I prefer tea because saying “if we were having tea” sounds so high brow for a Midwestern American, even if I am an Anglophile.

You may have noticed I haven’t blogged quite as much this summer. A lot has happened in 2016, and I’ll not pretend I’m the only one experiencing a lot of changes this year. Nearly everyone I’ve spoken to, online and IRL, seems to have had quite a tumultuous year so far, the good and the bad. So coming up you’ll have the pleasure of reading an unedited, walls-down, potentially grammatically incorrect blog post — and I just don’t give a flying rat’s ass about it. I’m typing this the way I’d speak it. So…cheers!

Grab your favorite hot beverage and get comfy. Let’s share some personal updates. (Shock, I know. I try not to do too much of that on the blog!)

If we were having coffee…I’d tell you that my agent inbox exploded after Jared’s book deal and Tara’s ARC drop at ALA. This is wonderful and overwhelming. I couldn’t be happier! One of the best things about being an agent is getting to be the first (or, well, first professional ((“professional,” my gosh)) to read a manuscript, know that it’s a gem of a project, and find the perfect publisher to champion it. The onslaught of mail — and quality queries and manuscripts, too! — only means I have to be even more critical of what I’m reading. My summer has been far more dedicated to my current clients and reading new material. Thus…fewer blog posts.

If we were having coffee…I’d tell you about my new part-time job as a reference assistant at the library! I’m the moderator of a book group for 20- and 30-somethings, which means I have a book a month to read from their list. The librarians also have their own in-house book clubs, and I’m in the genre study one. The theme this year is multi-cultural literature (perfect for WNDB and #ownvoices), so there’s another required reading book a month. You’ve read some of the reviews already (Re Jane, Buddha in the Attic, The Girl Who Fell from the Sky) for ones I felt needed and deserved attention. For the most part, though, it feels like homework reading instead of pleasure reading. Thus…fewer blog posts.

There are other aspects of the library job I enjoy. Going through the collection and finding ways to promote material through bookmarks and programming, teaming up with a colleague (also a published author!) to develop a writing program for NaNo and beyond, and assisting patrons in finding materials are other perks. It’s just a much better environment for me than the bookstore. Retail really wasn’t my cup of tea.

Speaking of tea…*sips*

If we were having coffee…I’d tell you how my mind wanders off on tangents, dreaming up the next big adventure. I really want to go to the London Book Fair in March 2017, but that dream is starting to look a little far-fetched. Maybe next year! However, my best friend (also a med student, bless her) and I are thinking of taking a little trip to San Francisco in the spring during one of her rare breaks in rotations. Any suggestions of places to visit, explore, or eat would be welcomed!

If we were having coffee…I’d tell you about this great guy I’ve known for a few years now, how we finally took a chance, and it’s been quite possibly the most amazing thing ever ever ever. Ever. He met my best friends and their husbands, passed the test, and now they’re all asking when they’ll see him next (in case you were curious: Labor Day weekend BBQs!). Also, he gives the best hugs. The best hugs.

I’m meeting the rest of his friends and his massive family next month…wish me luck!

If we were having coffee…I’d tell you about my on-going search for an apartment. Now that I’m more comfortable financially, it’s time to finally move out and find my own place. The trouble I’m running into is finding a good place to live with low rent in a safe neighborhood. The search may take a few more months, and I may not move out till early 2017, but at least it’s happening!

If we were having coffee…I’d tell you about my buckling bookshelves (another reason to move). It’s really getting out of hand, all the unread books that I own. Now that I’m at the library, my spending impulses have quickly died down in favor of checking out books instead. BUT…that doesn’t address the nearly 300 books crammed onto shelves in my room, piling on the floor, ARCs that keep arriving for review…! Wouldn’t it be nice to  have more than 24 hours to the day, so that a good chunk of it was for reading (or even just doing anything you love)?

If we were having coffee…I’d tell you about the Great Tostitos & Queso Takeover, and my lack of yoga. I just might have an addiction to salt more than sugar (though I LOOOOVE sugar), and it’s becoming a major issue. I love Tostitos Restaurant Style chips with the white queso. I could eat a party size bag entirely on my own. The problem? I get bloated after. Plus all that salt is NOT good for you at all. And to top it off, I’ve been slacking in the yoga department. I used to do it every day, and then after my Europe trip in June it turned to once or twice a week…and now it’s just sad. So, health wise, I need to get back into it! Cut back the chips and queso! Bring back the yoga!

Tell me what’s going on in your life! If we were having coffee, what would we talk about?