tldr: A high fantasy and low stakes story with a double shot of coffee and slice of sweet baked goods; Legends & Lattes was a book that came at the right time for me. Full of whimsy and relatability, I talk about how this book spoke to my current point in my life. Embracing the feeling of being a little lost, very confused and fundamentally unhappy with the trajectory of my professional prospects. I was inspired after reading another person (albeit a fictional one) doing what they want. A person, Viv, choosing to lead a life more purposeful, present and passionate.
Tandri gravely took the mug and held it in both hands, tentatively sniffing at it.
Chapter 6, Legends & Lattes
She brought the brim to her lips, blew on it for several seconds, and then took a very cautious sip.
A long pause.
“Oh,” said Tandri. “Oh my.” Viv grinned. This just might work.
Call me superstitious but I often think that things make an appearance when it’s the right time for you to receive them. Legends & Lattes, a book by Travis Baldree, turned out to be one of those serendipitous moments – appearing just as my life was falling apart and (hopefully) reforming into something new, happier and ultimately better for me.
The premise follows Viv, who after decades of adventuring, wants to hang up her sword for good. She sets her sights on her dream, to open the first coffee shop in the city of Thune. She wants to put her blood filled barbarian adventurer life behind her and start afresh. She’ll meet people, create new friends and get some help along the way when she turns this new leaf over in her life.
Maybe coffee is something I can persue with my passion.
There are many similarities between Viv and I. I’m not an orc or a barbarian but just like Viv, I am at a point when I want to hang up all that I know (like her sword Black Blood) and start something new for myself. This is why I fell into this book so hard and invested something personal into her story. I feel lost at the moment but a glimmer of positivity burns quietly in knowing that I want to change it. I’ve shared my small dream on this website, I’d love to work within the speciality coffee industry. Unlike Viv I don’t have piles of saved Platinum and Gold ingots to open my own business, but maybe coffee is something I can persue with my passion.
Viv talks about how her life of big burly violent contractual work left her numb; unaware of the scars and blood loss often guaranteed with fights. She was even numbed at the the very real possibility of never making it home. My career is nowhere near as dangerous or as weapon filled but I relate to that numb sensation; the ability to be a ghost in your own life. To be skilled and capable of what you do but it slowly drains you of your essence. You exist as a shadow, living in autopilot, so trapped in your own unhappiness. An unhappiness that doesn’t allow you to look beyond yourself and hear the birdsong or the feel the cool breeze as it rustles your clothes and imposing trees. I feel it more than ever now and just like Viv, I don’t want to live that way anymore.
Legends & Lattes is a light and easy read that I demolished in a week or so. Sometimes all you need is an easy book, fully of whimsy and fantasy. My instant thought when reading this book was that it reminded me of the tabletop roleplaying game, Dungeons & Dragons. Half orc, great swords, succubi, sacks of platinum, gold and or silver – I imagine the author coming across Viv, a simple NPC in a campaign and wondering more about their backstory. As time went on, a story was formed and they put all those thoughts and daydreams into words and Legends & Lattes was born.
I look forward to reading more work from the author and even more books that focus on the world of coffee.
Until our next book club meeting,
Coffee Log 
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