Common Grounds: Contemplations, Confessions, and (Unexpected) Connections from the Coffee Shop

by Lee Warren

"Am I the only one?" 

That question sent Lee Warren on a pilgrimage in which he visited 30 coffee shops in Omaha, Nebraska. This collection of 30 heartfelt essays about love, loss, loneliness, and a deep need for connection is the result.

He ended up spending $136.42 on coffee and a few donuts, but it was a small price to pay for the commonality he felt between the patrons, baristas, and himself. And standing on common ground gave him strength in the most unexpected of ways.

Maybe it will do the same for you.

Genres: Nonfiction

132 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 11, 2015

About the author

Lee Warren is a freelance writer/editor who has written 17 books and hundreds of articles for various newspapers and magazines. When he's not behind the keyboard, you can find him hanging out in coffee shops with friends, listening to music, watching NASCAR, baseball, or tennis, or relaxing in his recliner with a good novel and his cat Latte.

Reviews

[Deborah Sastroredjo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the way the author gave me an insight into his mind and his few hours at the coffee shops he visited. he's a great observer!

[Brooke Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

soak it in

I don't visit coffee shops often but the next time I do you better believe I'll keep an eye out for lee warren and wonder what he's writing about me. These observations are everyday in some ways but also so much deeper and above and beyond that. Some are even profound. Take your time to soak this read in.

[Kenya Starflight · Rating 2 out of 5]

I suppose I was expecting more from this book than I got. A book about one person's reflections on life while visiting various coffee shops could have been interesting, and author Lee Warren DOES offer some genuinely thoughtful passages in this book, as well as moments of humor and heartbreak. Sadly, these moments are few and far between, and padded out with long, rambling passages about the author's life, the perils of the publishing industry, rants against technology and modern music, and bouts of people-watching that just aren't very interesting. It's telling when the most interesting parts of the book are when he's describing the various coffee shops -- frankly, I'd love to go visit some of them, even the Starbucks.

I suppose I shouldn't complain too much -- this WAS a Kindle freebie. All the same, while the book was a quick read and a pleasant (if bland) way to pass the time, I wouldn't pick it up expecting anything earth-shattering or hilarious.

[Joy Kidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author visits several Omaha area coffee shops specifically to write an essay while usually enjoying a Large Skinny Vanilla Latte in each one. He includes the address and even how much he spent. Then he commences to describe who and what he experiences while he's there, and any other thoughts and memories that arise from that.

These gentle musings are surprisingly satisfying. In the last one, Lee Warren says, "[L]egacies are built organically over a life-time--they are a body of work, not a project." He reminds the reader that even if you donate money and have a building named for you, in two generations, you'll be forgotten. I wonder if this was the germ that sprouted into his compelling devotional, "Finishing Well: Living With the End in Mind."

[Meadow Lea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't this.

I guess I expected to read something different. Something more about observations and connections that happened. While I was ready to give up on this book earlier on, I continued to read essay after essay. I felt that there was a lot of negativity and lots of criticism in the book. I do not like to constantly hear people putting themselves down or others down, and that is what I felt he did, a lot. Even with the "I'm no fashion consultant attitude." I hated hearing it. The essays within the book did not make me want to look up his other work or learn more about him. I felt there was great potential, but it was lost.

[Texas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Common Grounds: Contemplations, Confessions, and (Unexpected) Connections from the Coffee Shop - This is my first read by this author and the Foreword was interesting enough that I wanted to read the book right then. Then, I got into the essays.

While I appreciated his history as a writer, what he went through to keep current in the publishing world, I found him whiney and critical about a lot of things: old maid syndrome. I will say you know he's an editor since I found no errors (tech writer/editor myself). An edited book is hard to find, but he's older and experienced and educated. The two essays he writes about a client killed at age 32 was well done. 4*

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It's a spectator view of real life in various coffee shops. The introspection is sometimes simply interesting, other times sad and still other moments are pleasant and sometimes funny. I love the concept as a tool for writers to encourage the art of writing. Who needs writing prompts when coffee shops are full of them. This isn't a book for everyone but if you are a writer, you will probably enjoy this book immensely.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy writing in coffee shops and people watching. Common Grounds is a good mix of those things. A very simple idea. Visit several of the coffee shops around town, record the purchase, journal about observations and explore where it takes you. I enjoyed these visits. It's just a good read, but also it helps to know there are others who share my thoughts and observations.
As a writer these activities feed my muse and fan the flames of my creativity. Reading about it is almost as good.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading his musings in the various coffee shops throughout the Omaha area. I grew to dislike his self loathing on his size, lack of coolness and lack of a spouse. I may try another book of his if it peaks my interest; however I will not seek one out.

[Frieda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. Next time I'm in a coffee shop I will look at the people around me with a different perspective. There's a shop I go to often and they have a waiter with pretty eyes, who greets me and remembers my favorite coffee, and yet I don't go that often that I consider myself a regular.

[Kimberly Simmons · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn’t get very far before I unfortunately lost interest. I’m not sure what I expected. I think maybe more on the coffee. And the coffee shops. I wasn’t expecting him to write much about himself. Or write so little about what was going on in the coffee shop. Dissatisfied.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conversational visits to coffee shops

Thoughtful essays describe coffee shop visits people watching, reminiscing, and pondering life. A good book for long quiet winter days.

A great companion!

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a "comfortable" little book of essays. I found it inspired something in me that has always wanted to write, but I don't think I have the gift.

[Florence S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Look At Life At Coffee Shops

It interesting to see the variety in coffee shops and just how hard it is to find good with-find. Of course there's also the people who visit.

[Pia Vidal · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took me a long time to finish this book. I did not connect with the author.It was a little monotonous and uneventful.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable!

I really enjoyed this book! I don't think I have read one just like it before so it is hard to place it in a category. It is like listening to someone who tells great stories about their daily encounters. I'm sorry it is done. I liked the format and the way the author uses what is happening at the time to tell a story. I believe it takes a creative mind to write that way. I recommend the book!

[Koren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, this guy sits in coffee shops and blogs about the things and people he sees. Not sure why he had to tell us what he ordered in each shop, as most of the time he ordered the same thing and I really didnt care how much it costs. Nothing earth-shattering here. This was a quick read. Started one day and finished the next. Dont think I would have stuck with it if it hadnt been short.

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short observational essays inspired by the author's time spent in Midwestern coffee shops. Add into this mix the self-deprecating writing about his age, weight, and lack of romance in his life, and I feel like this would be more fitting in livejournal format, circa 2006.