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Here’s how I hosted my #Gals for #GalentinesDay with a @dunkin Brunch Board + a ‘Hey! It’s Your Day’ @mangopublishing Book Review/Giveaway! Enter to Win ♥️

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My #Gals + Galentine’s Day Book Swap × Dunkin’ Brunch Board x Hey! It’s Your Day Book Giveaway

Galentine’s Day falls on February 13th and it’s a day to let your gals know how much you appreciate them. Last year I hosted a “Galentine’s Day” party and shared How to Host a Fun Book Swap with my readers. I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to host another #GalentineBookSwap this year!

THE INVITE

#GalentineDayBookSwap Invite | SobeSavvy.com

#GalentineDayBookSwap Invite | SobeSavvy.com

What do you do when it’s a pandemic among us but you still want to get together with some girlfriends? You take the necessary precautions, send an invite to a chosen few and mask up! I used a group pic from the last book swap and created a collage invite to send. Between the cold rain and Covid-19, I was thankful to still celebrate Galentine’s Day!

SIPS

Now Pouring ..Shoe Crazy Wine | Photo Credit: SobeSavvy.com

Now Pouring ..Shoe Crazy Wine | Photo Credit: SobeSavvy.com

I received a wine gift from Shoe Crazy, which is owned by a African American female. So I was happy to serve their Peach Mango Sparkling Wine as a welcome cocktail. This fruity, sweet wine was the perfect blush color to cheers to Galentine’s Day!

EATS by Dunkin’

Dunkin' Brunch Board | Photo Credit: SobeSavvy.com

I made a Dunkin’ Brunch Board! | Photo Credit: SobeSavvy.com

Feast your eyes on my Dunkin’ Brunch Board! Since I was hosting the ladies late morning/early afternoon on a Saturday, I thought why not share some of my favorite snacks from Dunkin’! With charcuterie and cheese boards being all the rage, I hoped my guest would enjoy the presentation and they did! I added items from the Dunkin’ Snacks menu : hash browns, snackin’ bacon, stuffed bagel minis, munchkins and their speciality heart-shaped Valentine’s donuts (Cupid’s Choice & Brownie Batter)! It was all so delicious!

Leslie of SobeSavvy.com serves up a Dunkin' Brunch Board

Leslie of SobeSavvy.com serves up a Dunkin’ Snacks Board for Brunch!

I also got a Box of Joe to go from Dunkin’ with their Original Blend of coffee and a shot of Hazelnut. It serves 10 ppl and comes with cups, kids, sugars, creams,and stirrers. It was convenient and brewed to perfection. Definitely order one for your next gathering!

Box of Joe to go from Dunkin

Enjoy a Box of Joe from Dunkin’ at your next gathering! | Photo Credit: SobeSavvy.com

Book Swap + Review + Giveaway

Book Swap Ready!

Book Swap Ready | Photo Credit: SobeSavvy.com

After we sipped, snacked and shared stories, it was time to swap books. Guests are welcome to bring whatever type of literature they want to exchange. As a thank you gift, I gave each guest an uplifting book from Mango Publishing titled Hey! It’s Your Day written by June Cotner.

Hey ! It's Your Day by June Cotner - Review/Giveaway by SobeSavvy.com

Hey! It’s Your Day by June Cotner – Review/Giveaway by SobeSavvy.com

Hey! It’s Your Day! is a collection of quotes, personal essays, and aspirations for anyone to live by, making it the perfect reminder of how valuable these life events are. June Cotner is an author well equipped in helping people rediscover excitement in life, with millions of books sold on momentous occasions such as marriage in Wedding Blessings and special events in Graces. Featuring multicultural lessons, thought-provoking compositions, and gorgeous pages, Hey! It’s Your Day! will remind readers that life isn’t just living in the moment, it’s also about looking forward to the future.

This book provides so many inspirational reminders to live your best life! I enjoy reading positive affirmations and quotes from some of my faves such as Rumi, Oprah, The Obamas..just to name a few. There is an eclectic mix of people as well as nearly 50 topics that cover subjects like love, friendship, family, growth, happiness, success, creativity and more! Hey! It’s Your Day! would be a great gift for anyone at anytime but I can see me gifting this for some upcoming celebrations such as Mother’s Day or Graduation. But I don’t want to wait that long…I am excited to partner with Mango Publishing to host a giveaway and gift someone this wonderful book! Head to my Instagram @SobeSavvy to enter there:

*No instagram.. no worries..leave a comment here on the blog and share a favorite quote!

RECAP

For this to be my first time having guests over inside the house since the pandemic, I think it went well. I made everyone feel safe, comfortable and we all had fun! Take a look at my video recap, here:

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How To Host A Fun Book Swap | Event Recap #GalentineBookSwap ft. @mangopublishing @sassoolcafe @nothingbundt @loveblockwine

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Hey ladies! I am back with another cool way to celebrate Galentine’s Day. If you read my last post, I went out with some friends for a wine tasting and hosted the event I decided to name: #GalentinesandWine. This past Saturday, I decided to do something at home with my bookish gals. If you love to read and want a creative way to share (or get rid of) the too many books you may have, here’s How to Host a Fun Book Swap Party:

THE INVITE

Inspired by a hair product swap party I attended in 2019 and a convo I had with a bookish friend, I decided to host a book swap party with a Galentine’s Day theme and used the hashtag #GalentineBookSwap. What is a #GalentineBookSwap? It’s a fun way to celebrate female friendships and our love of reading!

I sent an invite out via Facebook (and a countdown reminder via Instagram) as follows:

Hey Ladies..Let’s get together to celebrate Galentine’s Day and our love for reading at my first ‘GALENTINE BOOK SWAP PARTY’
There will be wine, small bites and books to exchange. You may have some books that you have read, given as a gift and will never read, but would like a chance to get a book that you want to read! Please read the following on how it will work.

6:00 -7pm: Eat,Drink,Be Merry
7:00-8pm: Will start drawing numbers for swap order to choose your selection

You are allowed to bring up to 3 books. You will receive a number for each book you bring in and I will draw number to see the order that you will pick a book (for fairness).

*RSVP closed at 10 guests*

WHERE: MY PLACE
WHEN: SATURDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2020
6PM-8pm

Hope to see you there! 📚🍷💕
#GalentineBookSwap

A WARM WELCOME

I like having an element of surprise, some festive decor and a welcome drink to set the tone when guests arrive. For the #GalentineBookSwap, I showered guests with rose petals as they came in the door and hit them with my own rendition of “She’s Your Queen To Be” from the classic movie “Coming to America”. Red Sangria was the welcome drink for this occasion. I simply set up a self serve Sangria bar along with some cute cocktail napkins that said #GALS which I got from Target dollar spot.

FUN PHOTO PROPS

Walmart was the place to shop for some cute photo props. I found a heart wreath and door fringe, which made for a cute backdrop for all the selfie lovers. The light up heart box came from Tuesday Morning some years ago and hangs up in my daughter’s room, but I borrowed it to make a #GalentineBookSwap sign and placed some red coiled chocolate Hershey’s Kisses nearby. I also picked up some heart shaped balloons from the Dollar Tree, and Viola! We had fun photo props to give the guests choices for photo ops!

DELICIOUS FOOD

When you want less mess and no stress, catering is the way to go for me when I host at home. I was very excited to introduce my guests as well as my own tastebuds to something new being offered by Sassool Cafe. All February long, Sassool Cafe will be offering a delicious and nutritious Heart “Beet” Hummus! This beautiful pink dip is the perfect side dish to all of your favorites at Sassool. This “lovely” hummus will be available at the Cary, Raleigh, and Sassool Select locations.

On the menu of heart healthy bites, we enjoyed:

-hummus

-Heart “Beet” hummus

-tatziki

-pita chips for all

-assorted mediterranean cheeses + grapeleaves + olives

-Spanakopita Triangles

-Mini Chicken and Beef Kabob Skewers

-Root Salad

-Assorted Baklava

Not only does Sassool Cafe provide the food, the platters but also the serving utensils. How convenient, how delicious!

For more information on their catering packages, go to sassool.com!

PRESENT A 🆕️ WINE

My husband likes being an at home Sommelier and presenting new wines to our guests by sharing tasting notes. I’ve even shared on the blog, tips on hosting a wine tasting at home, if you’d like to get some ideas for that as well. This always adds a level of intimacy to my at home events. After his presentation, we all get to enjoy our very own wine tasting! For this event, I partnered with Terlato Wines, who sponsored two varietals from LoveBlock.

We started off with the white and served the LOVEBLOCK Sauvignon Blanc,which was just released in Dec. 2019. LoveBlock SB is a classic example of New Zealand’s most famous varietal. Tasting Notes: Lots of grass and just the perfect amount of acid.

Next, we tried the LOVEBLOCK Pinot Noir, which went great with the grilled steak skewers. Tasting Notes: Deep finish and notes of berries on the palate.

PULL NAMES FOR BOOK SWAP

Everyone was instructed to write down their name and the # of books that they bought to swap. I advised to bring up to 3, but next timeI will say u limited. Any kind if books were allowed.

Everything from non-fiction, to fiction, self-help, children’s books, thrillers, devotionals…you name it, there was something for everyone! We all got a new book to dive into.

THANK YOU GIFTS

Although gifting is not my love language, I enjoy giving some type of swag or goodie bag for every guests to remember the special occasion. Everyone received a special “thank you” gift from:

• Mango Publishing @mango.books.and.authors |If you read my February Reading List blog post, then you may recognize these two amazing books:

❤ Say It Now – 33 Creative ways to say I Love You to the most important people in your life by Sherry Richert Belul

❤ Friendship Isn’t A Big Thing,It’s A Million Little Things- The Art of Female Friendship by Becca Anderson

• Nothing Bundt Cakes @nothingbundtcakes | no matter the occasion they offer moist, delicious, AMAZING, tasty, bundt cakes for any occasion in a variety of flavors. Vanilla, Chocolate and Red Velvet are the flavors I gave as a choice for the guests to take home.

This was my first time hosting/ attending a book swap and I had so much fun combining it with a Galentine’s Day theme! And although it was all about the ladies, I had help from my husband in having my event go smoothly.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO or HOSTED A BOOK SWAP PARTY BEFORE? Share your comments below!

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Host A Holiday Tea Party With Wissotzky Tea

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A stress-free holiday is all I want for Christmas 2019 and so far it has been so good! I spent this past weekend spreading cheer, seeing folks and staying far away from the malls. I am done shopping and now it is is time to unwind and cruise into the new year. But first, I had one more party to host just for the ladies: a Holiday Tea and Ugly Christmas Sweater Party!

It was easy to create and send the following facebook invite:

Hey LADIES!

Join me for HOLIDAY TEA at my home
* 3pm-5pm *

Enjoy Hot Tea + Small Bites + Cheer
in a casual, comfortable setting!

🎁 Please bring a gift wrapped MUG for a fun exchange 🎁

But first some selfies/usies :

Party set up was simple. In addition to the wrapped gift/mug exchange, I had a Mimosa Bar,

….a buffet style spread of Sweet & Savory Bites,

..we played a fun “Sips Tea” game, (similar to the Have You Ever drinking game and if your answer is yes then you would sip tea!)

… and there also was an Ugly Christmas Sweater contest!

👀Watch the participants model their sweaters below⤵️

Thanks to all who participated and Congratulations to Rada @simplysoutherngirlcharm for winning the contest! She received a book from award-winning blogger of The Cup of Life, Lu Ann Pannunzio, titled TEA-SPIRATION Inspirational Words for Tea Lovers courtesy of Mango Publishing and was also gifted some Wissotzky Tea‘s Simply Nana Mint Teas, which was the featured tea of the party!

I was excited to introduce my guests to Wissotzky Tea’s Simply Nana Mint Teas, an exotic mint variety that is an all-natural, delicious tea with Mediteranean origins. Nana is unlike any other variety of mint because it unleashes a subtle layer of earthiness and invigorating minty flavor in every tantalizing cup. Nana Tea is sure to awaken the spirit whether served hot or icy cold!

Here are some recipes to try with Simply Nana Mint!

Nana Mint Iced Green Tea & Honeydew

Green tea pairs perfectly with Honeydew Melon and the refreshing & invigorating finish of exotic Nana Mint and just a little touch of honey makes this an iced adventure you won’t want to miss.

How to make:

Brew two Nana Mint Green tea bags per 16oz of water

Let steep for 3-5 minutes

Remove tea bags and let chill in the refrigerator for 3 hours

Dice Honeydew and lightly coat with honey

Add to a glass and muddle slightly to release its sweetness

Top with ice and chilled tea and enjoy!

Nana Mint Iced Simply Black Tea Half & Half Sparkle

The rich and refreshing taste of our premium Black tea and exotic Nana Mint are artfully paired with sparkling lemonade to create a refreshing twist on the traditional half & half. Add fresh lemon and mint and you are ready to sip back and enjoy the warm weather.

How to make:

Brew two Nana Mint Simply Black tea bags per 16oz of water

Let steep for 3-5 minutes

Remove tea bags and let chill in the refrigerator for 3 hours

Add lemon slices and fresh mint to a classic Highball glass

Fill each glass halfway with chilled tea

Top with sparkling lemonade

Garnish with a lemon wedge and fresh mint

SobeSavvy Tip: Did you know January is National Tea Month? Celebrate and host a tea party with these easy tips that I have shared here in my previous post! ⤵️

Host A Tea Party With These 5 Quick Tips! By: SobeSavvy.com

We all had a refreshing good time and enjoyed sipping tea, celebrating sisterhood, the holidays and slowing down for a couple of hours! Hope you enjoyed my party recap & introduction to Wissotzky Tea’s Simply Nana Mint Teas. For more info, follow @wissotzkyteaofficial @wteananamint!

Let me know in the comments below which one of the Simply Nana Mint teas would you sip first?

  • Simply Nana Mint Black Tea
  • Simply Nana Mint Green Tea
  • Simply Nana Mint Herbal Lemon Tea
  • Simply Nana Mint Herbal Ginger Tea
  • Simply Nana Mint Herbal Chamomile Tea

Happy Holidays!

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Guys Gift Guide For The Man Who Loves Simple Pleasures

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In T-minus 9 days, my husband will be turning FIFTY years old! I am excited to be on this journey of life and love with him and have enjoyed seeing him evolve over the last 26 years. Gift giving for him has been easy because although his age and the years may change, most of his adult interests have remained the same. He loves his family and simple pleasures!

So I decided to put together a Guys Gift Guide {inspired by my soon to be husband who is turning 50 on Nov 27th} with potential gift ideas for any guy who feels like he has everything, doesn’t really want gifts, and prefers the simple pleasures in life! Take a look at this list for some ideas for any guys you may be getting gifts for soon.

Accessories from Execsocks

Looking for unique gift ideas for men? 👔 Watch this unboxing Video ft. ExecSocks, a Raleigh, NC-based subscription service delivering new pairs of fresh, stylish socks & men’s accessories to members across the U.S. every month!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4alC9BHIla/?igshid=1uk1af4huwneh

Bedlam Vodka + Swag

How’s that holiday shopping list coming? 🍸 If you want to get ahead of the game, Bedlam Vodka had got you covered! Visit Graybeard Distillery in Durham,NC and get some merch to go along with this smooth tasting vodka.

Get Him Books Based On His Interests

Are you putting together a books gift list for a special guy in your life? 📚 Here are some great books from Mango Media that any guy (or girl) would love! Books make great gifts when catered to ones interests, plus every man could use a 🆕️ book! All books are available on Amazon or on Mango Media’s website.

***SobeSavvy Tip: Pair his favorite wine with any of the above books so he can enjoy sipping, relaxing and reading at the same time! 🍷

Fill His Stocking With Eco-Friendly Coffee from STEEPED

☕My husband loves coffee so I am excited to introduce him to the newest trend in specialty coffee from Steeped Coffee. The innovative startup is committed to premium coffee, convenience, and saving the planet with their eco-friendly coffee that comes in single-serve bags much like tea. No machines or brewing equipment required makes for a uniquely “unplugged” coffee experience.

Best of all, each Steeped Pack contains hand-roasted, ethically-sourced, Direct Trade coffee that’s precision ground to showcase the distinctive flavor profile of every crafted blend. Whether you’re looking for light, medium, dark, French roast, or even decaf, there’s something for every coffee lover! Visit the Steeped website to see some of the one of a kind gift items like mugs, The Steeped Coffee Subscription or order The Steeped Lineup Sampler which includes five alluring blends ranging from Light, Medium, Dark, and French Roasts to the Swiss Water Processed Decaf. I am filling up his christmas stocking with the sampler and who knows, we may just get the subscription! For more info about STEEPED, check them out on Instagram, here ⤵️

https://instagram.com/steepedcoffee?igshid=9n7bnnemitxm

I hope I have helped you in deciding what to gift the guy who loves simple pleasures this year! What would your guy (or you) choose from this list to enjoy? Please share in the comments below and thanks for reading!

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3 Books That Celebrate Strong Women | Book Review + Giveaway @MangoPublishing #books

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Hello Readers and Hello April! Can you believe how quick March went?! I can not, but I am always happy for a new month to arrive and to share new books that I have read. Since March is National Reading Month and Women’s History Month, I thought I would share with you 3 Books That Celebrate Strong Women, which is something we should do no matter what month it is, right?! Plus, I have a gift for you to win and keep the celebrations going! Stay tuned..but first, let me tell you about these three phenomenal books from Mango Publishing.

STILL I RISE

STILL I RISE- THE PERSISTENCE OF PHENOMENAL WOMEN- by Marlene Wagman-Geller

You may recognize the title Still I Rise from a poem by Maya Angelou. The Author’s Note shares that this book is a tribute to that poem and dedicated to the women who helped her rise. STILL I RISE, [which was #1 New Release on Amazon] is a paperback book that answers the questions— Who are the great women leaders in history? Who are the women heroes who personify “girl power”?
STILL I RISE embodies the strength of character of the inspiring women profiled. Each chapter will outline the fall and rise of great women heroes who smashed all obstacles, rather than let all obstacles smash them. There are so many unknown stories of women who quietly and courageously changed the course of history! I can guarantee there will be stories in this book that will not only resonate with you but leave you inspired to lead a life well-lived!

SobeSavvy.com Book Review | STILL I RISE- THE PERSISTENCE OF PHENOMENAL WOMEN- by Marlene Wagman-Geller

DEAR WOMAN

DEAR WOMAN by JUST MIKE THE POET- Michael E.Reid

I have heard so much about this author [@justmikethepoet] via social media and hearing how empowering this book has been for women that I was excited to read DEAR WOMAN. This hardcover book is poetry+self help+inspirational all wrapped up into one dope read! This book was respectfully written by Michael E. Reid aka Just Mike The Poet to encourage all women to:

•Stop cutting yourself short: You must wear your crown at all times. Every woman is a queen, and you don’t have to wait for someone to give you your crown. 👑

•Take a journey: No one has just one page in their life story. That’s why DEAR WOMAN has everything—quotes, letters, short stories, and poems to educate, motivate, encourage, and provide a little tough love.

•Want the best for yourself: Michael E. Reid wrote this book and started with these encouraging words “Dear Woman, This is YOUR book. With it comes the responsibility to be a better woman.” This is more than a self-help book, more than just relationship advice for women—though it does include both of those things. No, this inspirational open letter, full of poetry and wisdom, is life advice just for you.

•Do it for you: You are an amazing woman. Deep down, you know that. DEAR WOMAN isn’t here to tell you that you need to improve. Rather, it’s here to tell you that you can be your true self—for yourself.

Filled with great advice and written to shed some love and light, DEAR WOMAN is a great read and reminder for every woman to Be Confident, Know You Deserve The Best and Love Yourself!

SobeSavvy.com Book Review | DEAR WOMAN by JUST MIKE THE POET- Michael E.Reid

THE FEMINIST FINANCIAL HANDBOOK

THE FEMINIST FINANCIAL HANDBOOK •A Modern Woman’s Guide to a Wealthy Life• Brynne Conroy

I start a new, full time job in a couple of weeks and this time around I want to be smarter about saving and investing my earnings as well as paying off debt. I was attracted to THE FEMINIST FINANCIAL HANDBOOK to help me with these goals. I plan to start reading this book this week and can’t wait to learn more about general financial planning principles. THE FEMINIST FINANCIAL HANDBOOK provides actionable tips for overcoming obstacles and explores financial issues with anecdotes and perspectives of women of different races, sexual orientations and abilities. I look forward to reading the stories and learning from the advice of women who have worked through the struggle, and achieved their goals.

SobeSavvy.com Book Review | THE FEMINIST FINANCIAL HANDBOOK •A Modern Woman’s Guide to a Wealthy Life• Brynne Conroy

***SobeSavvy Giveaway: ENTER to WIN all 3 BOOKS THAT CELEBRATE STRONG WOMEN!

1.SHARE this SobeSavvy.com post via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest by clicking option below ………….AND…………

2. Leave a COMMENT sharing one of your greatest strengths!

One Winner will be chosen at random on April 10, 2019 at 12pm/noon EST.

***Plus, earn an EXTRA ENTRY by entering via Instagram ⤵️

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvzNr5SHmqW/

SobeSavvy.com Book Review + Giveaway | 3 Books That Celebrate Strong Women

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5 Zen-Tastic Books To Read For Your Wellness From @MangoPublishing

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According to Forbes list of 10 Wellness Trends You Have To Try In 2019, “finding big meaning in small rituals”, “unplugging from the digital world” and “workouts for the soul” are just some of the ways you can add some Zen to your life.

In my opinion, you can never have too much Zen. For example, I recently created a meditation space for myself that I call the “Zen Spot“…

…..as well as a little “Zen Den” for my daughter to read/relax in.

Did you know reading is a key wellness practice? It is proven to reduce stress, build empathy, and even lessen sugar cravings! It’s nice to have these peaceful nooks at home to which I recently added these 5 Zen-tastic Books To Read For Your Wellness from Mango.

THE MAGIC OF CRYSTALS & GEMS

As someone who has been gifted stones and have always admired the beauty of crystals, I was intrigued by this book. I wanted to learn more and discover what lies behind or shall I say within these gems. This book is a fun, entertaining and enlightening guide to the magical uses of crystals and the powers of stones.

GODDESS POWER

What is the divine feminine? Who is the goddess Oshun? Why is “herstory” an essential part of our cultural legacy? Goddess Power is a book that will answer those questions and more! Informative, Inspiring , Insightful and Important~ these are just four words that I would use to descibe why I enjoy this book.

WOMAN’S BOOK OF PRAYER

No matter when or how you pray, this book was written to show you the way thru words of encouragement, inspiring quotes, poems and meditations. Becca Anderson has done an amazing job at gathering a year’s worth of prayers by and for women for every occasion. I have found that reading from this devotional each day has impacted my spirit in a positive way.

ZEN DOGS

Our daughter wants a dog but since that is not happening anytime soon, she was happy to receive this book filled with adorable photos of mindful mutts and dharma dogs! Zen Dogs offers key lessons on how to live in the now. Dog lovers will enjoy reading the timeless teachings of Buddhism, meditations and eternal truths while enjoying the pictures of so many cute canines.

SUPER AGER

As a 45 yr old Mom of a 7 year old, it is important for me to prepare for my second half of life. I want to do everything I can to not only age with grace but to live long and prosper. It’s every parents wish to be here for as long as we can to see the growth of our children. Super Ager is a ‘how-to’ book that compiles a comprehensive look at what others are doing to be healthy at age 100 and beyond! I’m ready to increase my lifespan and my healthspan with this book.

📚SobeSavvy Tip: Find these great books and more from amazing authors at >>>> Mango.

I am so looking forward to curling up with these books and learning from each of them. So if you don’t hear from me, I’ll be somewhere reading. Which one of these books would you add to your collection or gift to someone?

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