Craving Connection?

It's only natural!

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What do coffee shops, cookies, birthdays and boba have in common? Besides being a few of my favorite things, I'm going to explain how these things CONNECT us!

I'm in the final year of my thirties and as I reflect, one thing is clear: People NEED other people and we crave CONNECTION as human beings.

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Coffee shops have been my go-to spot to work on my laptop (when I'm not at a book fair, book gathering, or substitute teaching). It is a place for people to meet, to co-work, to catch up, to study, to bring a toddler for a snack while mom enjoys a coffee with a friend... it's a place I have overheard discussion of religion, politics, art, young mom-life, PTO duties, wedding planning, middle life, heart-to-hearts, heartaches, and they are generally a busy, feel-good spot to meet up with people and be in the company of others. Even if you are "by yourself" working or simply enjoying a cup of tea or reading a book, you not actually alone. There is a buzz that a popular coffee shop gives off... and it connects us.

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People CRAVE it... the energy and the community. Maybe more now, post covid-haze days, than ever. Have you felt that too?

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Boba shops count too! If you have noticed, boba lovers unite! And you don't even have to be a fan of those chewy, tapioca, brown sugar balls of yumminess. Go to any "boba shop" these days (they are no longer hard to find) and you will be able to choose a drink to your liking, caffeinated or not, sweet or not. But if you are a boba person.... you might also notice that there is a special group of people that frequent these spots too. It's become one of my go-to spots after a trip away from home, a road trip, or a long work day. It centers me, and makes me feel like I'm home! And whenever we have family visiting from out of town, it's always a MUST to stop by a favorite new boba spot (or two).

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In case the word "cookies" alone doesn't immediately explain how it is connecting, let me elaborate. Cookies offer a warm and sweet treat that delight! We might have our differences on the type of cookie, and whether we prefer a crispy and crunchy edge, or an ooey, gooey, chewy masterpiece, but you'll be hard pressed to find a person that dislikes ALL cookies. And if you find the unicorn that refuses a cookie due to personal taste and preference, I'd argue that they'll never be offended when a cookie is offered to them nonetheless.

For some reason, cookies are that thing that moms or grandmas can whip up and then without fail you'll have people gathering and reaching for a fresh cookie off the plate. I don't think it's coincidence that coffee shops often offer cookies or other pastries, and it surely isn't a coincidence that a mom will make a plate of cookies when her kids are having a friend over for a playdate. A plate of cookies draw people together, much like a fresh baked pie might during the holidays (or a PaperPie book gathering). It pulls kids into the kitchen, the heart of the home, and for a little while you can be in each other's company. So yes, cookies connect us too!

But what about birthdays? Not everyone enjoys celebrating a birthday, some don't like the spotlight, but we all have a birthday. That fact alone unites us, if nothing else! Often, birthdays are another reason to gather, especially on those big milestone birthdays (like a 1st birthday, 10th birthday, 16th birthday, 21st, 30th, 40th and every decade after that)! Reach 100 years and every YEAR is a milestone to be celebrated!

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And just to be clear... I think every birthday can be something special. Even if you don't do anything other than make it what you want it to be. Birthdays are the time that you typically get to be spoiled. (If you're anything like me, it's that one day a year you feel a little more entitled to have things go the way you want, and you don't have to even feel guilty over it. Ha!)

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My 39th birthday this year was celebrated with family and doing all my favorite things... (find my reel on Facebook here). I spent time catching up with my sister-in-law at a coffee shop, enjoyed quality time with my kids, ate a yummy and healthy meal, went to a bookstore (yes, I brought home a few AND added more books to my TBR list), shopped at Target with my girls, had a dressing-room dance party, and even ran out of time for a boba!!!

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We did have a small cake and sing happy birthday before bed though. It's the simple acts of gathering and singing "Happy Birthday" together, the ritual of blowing out a candle, gathering for a birthday party or birthday dinner, or scrolling Facebook to see all the birthday wishes that your friends drop on your feed... those are the things that connect us too!

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Ever notice how birthdays in the middle part of life tend to slip by more unremarkable than birthdays as a child or an Octogenarian? It's in those early years that we make birthdays a bigger deal, and again in those later in life years that people make it a point to gather again. It's the connection that is key. We gather to connect.

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My grandmother, Dr. Nena Nathanieslsz, the last of my surviving grandparents, celebrated her 89th birthday this year. Exactly 50 years and 1 day older than me... and I, as her first grand-daughter, haven't yet slipped from her memories. Even with her memory fading more and more each year, she still remembers that we are "birthday buddies." And this year, to celebrate, all 4 of her children gathered in from different states. It was a party like in the "Good Ol' Days" when we all lived closer and gathered often. Family and friends spent the evening together, some event spent the weekend together, sharing stories, laughing, and re-connecting.

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Birthdays, especially those big ones, have a way of pulling people together... just like coffee shops, boba shops, and a plate of cookies tend to do. Connection is craved because we are social beings. It is only natural to want to be near people, live in the buzz, feel the energy, and connect.

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In which ways do YOU prefer to connect with others?

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READ MORE TIP:

Whether you already read a lot, or strive to make reading more of a priority, consider joining a local book club, to help encourage and motivate more reading.

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Maybe you'll venture into a genre you're not used to, and you might be surprised with what catches your interest... And this goes for kids too! Sometimes it's changing the type of book that turns a picky reader into an avid reader.

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A book club is a great way to gather and READ MORE and connect over books!

If you are looking for a book refresh for any kids in your life, NOW is the perfect time to shop from Jen's Little Bookstore with PaperPie. Here's a quick breakdown of all the special offers and promotions happening right now!

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Check out the current Savings Shelf category (filled with amazing books for 50% off every month)!

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And be sure to grab your PASS before you shop! Our new PAPERPIE PASS PROGRAM is a shipping membership that gives you bonus perks (all year long!) and access to free shipping when you subscribe. Ask me for details by texting the word "pass" to 971-220-1678.

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Lastly, don't forget our monthly Free Gifts offered for every $50 spent!

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If you want a fun and flexible way to earn extra money this Spring or Summer, consider activating your own brand partner account (for just $10!) and I will personally help you throw a "Spring Into Reading" or "Summer Book Bash" online so your friends and family can shop from YOU! You will earn 25% commissions on all sales, PLUS a bunch of free books to boost your own home library as well! It's the gift that keeps on giving.

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Want to check out the new books, educational toys, puzzles, games and other literacy tools from PaperPie? Shop anytime at www.jenslittlebookstore.com​

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Need help with book shopping on a budget?

I would love to help you bring more quality books into your home, and make it happen for FREE!

I can't wait to help you refresh your home library and maybe even given you some guidance on starting your own home business! As always, if you'd like a personalized list of recommendations specific to the kids you're shopping for this season, click the "Let's Chat" button above to send me an e-mail. Or simply text the word "chat" to 971-220-1678 and I'll personally respond. I look forward to hearing from you!

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Happy Gathering & Happy Reading!

-Jen

Jennifer de Guzman, Literacy Advocate

PaperPie Brand Partner and Advanced Leader, PaperPie Learning Educational Services Representative, www.jenslittlebookstore.com​

PaperPie, formerly called Usborne Books & More, offers engaging and educational books and learning products for kids of all ages, newborn through teens. Browse the full selection anytime here: www.jenslittlebookstore.com

Read my previous newsletters including "The ABC's of Reading" and "Do you know a kid that hates reading?" for a few helpful and EASY tips to develop and nurture a love of reading, and what to do when you have a "picky" reader.

To schedule a personal shopping appointment or free discovery call, or to learn more about becoming a brand partner with PaperPie, send an email to: jen@jenslittlebookstore.com or text: 971-220-1678 Or click the link below to schedule with me on Calendly: https://calendly.com/jenslittlebookstore​