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The Espressologist
What's your drink of choice? Is it a small pumpkin spice latte? Then you're lots of fun and a bit sassy. Or a medium americano? You prefer simplicity in life. Or perhaps it's a small decaf soy sugar-free hazelnut caffe latte? Some might call you a yuppie. Seventeen-year-old barista Jane Turner has this theory that you can tell a lot about a person by their regular coffee drink. She scribbles it all down in a notebook and calls it Espressology. So it's not a totally crazy idea when Jane starts hooking up some of her friends based on their coffee orders. Like her best friend, Em, a medium hot chocolate, and Cam, a toffee nut latte. But when her boss, Derek, gets wind of Jane's Espressology, he makes it an in-store holiday promotion, promising customers their perfect matches for the price of their favorite coffee. Things are going better than Derek could ever have hoped, so why is Jane so freaked out? Does it have anything to do with Em dating Cam? She's the one who set them up! She should be happy for them, right?
184 pages, Paperback
First published October 27, 2009
29 people are currently reading
3372 people want to read
About the author
Kristina Springer
13 books198 followersKristina Springer is the author of Cici Reno #MiddleSchoolMatchmaker (Sterling Children's/April 19, 2016), My Fake Boyfriend Is Better Than Yours (Macmillan/FSG), a Scholastic Bestseller and 2012 YALSA Quick Pick book; The Espressologist (Macmillan,/FSG), a 2010 Society of School Librarians International Honor Book and 2014 Illinois Reads Book that has been purchased for film by Michael Eisner’s Vuguru; and Just Your Average Princess (Macmillan/FSG). She has a Masters in Writing from DePaul University and resides in a suburb of Chicago with her husband and children. Learn more about Kristina on her website: KristinaSpringer.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 705 reviews
August 21, 2022
3.5 stars
This is exactly what I was in the mood for - a coffee shop setting and countless different types of lattes. The story is inspired by Jane Austen's Emma and I liked the idea of matching people based on their coffee orders.
There isn't much depth to the story or the characters, but it's a quick, fun and very enjoyable read.
Re-read 5/2021: Rating rounded up.
Re-read 8/2022: Perfect for reading in a cafe. 😅
This is exactly what I was in the mood for - a coffee shop setting and countless different types of lattes. The story is inspired by Jane Austen's Emma and I liked the idea of matching people based on their coffee orders.
There isn't much depth to the story or the characters, but it's a quick, fun and very enjoyable read.
Re-read 5/2021: Rating rounded up.
Re-read 8/2022: Perfect for reading in a cafe. 😅
December 27, 2011
I have to wonder if the author actually knows anything about coffee. It bothers me when I'm reading a book about something I know a lot about (being a barista) and I see so many obvious errors, not just in the writing style or descriptions, but with the actual subject of the book. I've been a barista for over five years and, granted, I have never and never will work at a Starbucks, the basic concept should be universal. However, I didn't feel like the author had any sort of relationship with coffee. The mechanics she used when describing how to make drinks was similar to what it would like from a customer's perspective of how a barista makes drinks. It's also very obvious that she's writing about Starbucks, and not just from the drink descriptions and names, but from the apparent use of automatic espresso machines. My opinion of Starbucks is very low for reasons relating to the facts that they're a corporation, taking advantage of coffee bean harvesters in foreign countries, and overextend their locations and employees, to the facts that they consistently claim to serve better and fresher coffee than the competition (not true and a very arrogant assumption to make), use automatic machines and don't bother to train employees how to properly prepare an espresso beverage for someone, and make up ridiculous terminology for their "baristas" to memorize and expect their customers to be able to order with.
Okay, so now I sound like an elitist who is waiting this book based on her disdain for Starbucks. Partially true, but only factors into maybe 10% of my opinion of the book as a whole. Moving on to the main character, Jane... This girl has no idea who she is or what she wants. She's loyal to the point of being friends with someone for several years who she doesn't seem to respect very much or involve herself in much on an emotional level. If I removed the word "friend" from this book and gave it someone else to read for the first time, I'm positive they would have no idea that that was their original relationship. They communicate with each other as if they're mere acquaintances. This is a huge problem in a book written for young adults because when young adults bond with someone, and decide they're best friends, there's a deep connection that you can feel automatically.
Also, Jane never seems particularly interested in anything that's happening around her. She likes to talk to people and match them up with others. That's not just the plot, that's her personality. She supposedly wants to go to school for fashion and, while the author mentions the clothes she wears more often than she mentions anything else about the girl, there's never any mention whatsoever about her desire to work in the fashion industry. What does she even want to do as a career? This doesn't make sense and seems like a very bland, vague attempt making her character seem fresh and cool. Jane's stereotyping of people in general, actually, seems to be another attempt at this. Disappointing. Do we really need more books told from a shallow, emotionally distant, judgmental teenager's point of view?
Nothing about this book is believable, which brings me to the whole business aspect. I'm not just a barista, I've also been the inventory manager at a 24/7 coffee shop for almost a year now. I handle the deposits for the store on a daily basis and I find it extremely unlikely that a corporate coffee shop can do the level of business the author implies. Somehow, the stressed out store manager, is able to make enough money on one Friday night to make it reasonable for their district manager to let him completely redo the entire store's decor for only one day. I also find it incredibly unlikely that one of the baristas would have any time to stand around and write an entire notebook's worth of cliched notes on customers' drink choices. I know from experience that it's almost impossible to send a complete text in between customers, orders, and work-related duties.
On that note, if I ever saw a manager treating an employee the way that Derek and Jane do, I would expect them to be fired or, at the very least, written up. You can not force only one employee to clean the bathrooms every day for a month in retaliation for them telling your boss you're giving away free drinks to "hot" customers.
Okay, so now I sound like an elitist who is waiting this book based on her disdain for Starbucks. Partially true, but only factors into maybe 10% of my opinion of the book as a whole. Moving on to the main character, Jane... This girl has no idea who she is or what she wants. She's loyal to the point of being friends with someone for several years who she doesn't seem to respect very much or involve herself in much on an emotional level. If I removed the word "friend" from this book and gave it someone else to read for the first time, I'm positive they would have no idea that that was their original relationship. They communicate with each other as if they're mere acquaintances. This is a huge problem in a book written for young adults because when young adults bond with someone, and decide they're best friends, there's a deep connection that you can feel automatically.
Also, Jane never seems particularly interested in anything that's happening around her. She likes to talk to people and match them up with others. That's not just the plot, that's her personality. She supposedly wants to go to school for fashion and, while the author mentions the clothes she wears more often than she mentions anything else about the girl, there's never any mention whatsoever about her desire to work in the fashion industry. What does she even want to do as a career? This doesn't make sense and seems like a very bland, vague attempt making her character seem fresh and cool. Jane's stereotyping of people in general, actually, seems to be another attempt at this. Disappointing. Do we really need more books told from a shallow, emotionally distant, judgmental teenager's point of view?
Nothing about this book is believable, which brings me to the whole business aspect. I'm not just a barista, I've also been the inventory manager at a 24/7 coffee shop for almost a year now. I handle the deposits for the store on a daily basis and I find it extremely unlikely that a corporate coffee shop can do the level of business the author implies. Somehow, the stressed out store manager, is able to make enough money on one Friday night to make it reasonable for their district manager to let him completely redo the entire store's decor for only one day. I also find it incredibly unlikely that one of the baristas would have any time to stand around and write an entire notebook's worth of cliched notes on customers' drink choices. I know from experience that it's almost impossible to send a complete text in between customers, orders, and work-related duties.
On that note, if I ever saw a manager treating an employee the way that Derek and Jane do, I would expect them to be fired or, at the very least, written up. You can not force only one employee to clean the bathrooms every day for a month in retaliation for them telling your boss you're giving away free drinks to "hot" customers.
December 30, 2015
You know what, I absolutely adore coffee.
But I’m kind of picky; the traditional filter coffee, which is famous in the fast food joints of South India, is something I really like compared to the instant types. But still, coffee is coffee. I’ve been known to suck on the coffee flavored toffees during tedious classes to help me stay awake. So naturally I was drawn to this book. The cover, the blurb, the idea of people meeting their perfect soul mates based on their favorite type of coffee?? Sign me up!
But I was left quite disappointed. IMO, this was a perfect example of a unique concept but poor execution.
WHAT BUGGED ME:
1) The characters are quite flat. I especially didn’t like the MC. She’s snobbish, makes fun of older people for their looks.
She’s supposed to be aiming for a career in fashion, but nothing in the storyline ever connects with that. Her co-worker in the coffee shop is supposed to have done mean things to her, but again we are only told this. Nothing is ever shown to us, nothing is worked seamlessly into the plot.
2) AND, the plot itself. Very cliché.
Where have I not heard this before?
3) The love interest was a nice guy, but I could see no chemistry between him and the MC whatsoever.
4) The ending was too tidy and too convenient. Absolutely no mess and very unrealistic.
The redeeming thing for me was obviously the ‘matching-people-based-on-their-favorite-drinks’ thing. I find that extremely unique, very interesting and quite probable in real life too. So honestly, I wouldn’t mind meeting an espressologist and checking out her talents in the same!! (Even if she’s a tad annoying.)
ACTUAL RATING: 2.5
But I’m kind of picky; the traditional filter coffee, which is famous in the fast food joints of South India, is something I really like compared to the instant types. But still, coffee is coffee. I’ve been known to suck on the coffee flavored toffees during tedious classes to help me stay awake. So naturally I was drawn to this book. The cover, the blurb, the idea of people meeting their perfect soul mates based on their favorite type of coffee?? Sign me up!
But I was left quite disappointed. IMO, this was a perfect example of a unique concept but poor execution.
WHAT BUGGED ME:
1) The characters are quite flat. I especially didn’t like the MC. She’s snobbish, makes fun of older people for their looks.
She’s supposed to be aiming for a career in fashion, but nothing in the storyline ever connects with that. Her co-worker in the coffee shop is supposed to have done mean things to her, but again we are only told this. Nothing is ever shown to us, nothing is worked seamlessly into the plot.
2) AND, the plot itself. Very cliché.
Girl MC has a crush on the hot guy, who ultimately ends up with the mean bitchy girl (who redeems herself in the end).
Sweet funny guy (who isn’t extremely hot or anything) secretly likes the MC. MC’s best friend likes sweet, funny guy.
But in the end, MC realizes she’s perfectly matched with the said sweet, funny guy, who the best friend nobly sacrifices and everyone lives happily ever after.
Where have I not heard this before?
3) The love interest was a nice guy, but I could see no chemistry between him and the MC whatsoever.
4) The ending was too tidy and too convenient. Absolutely no mess and very unrealistic.
The redeeming thing for me was obviously the ‘matching-people-based-on-their-favorite-drinks’ thing. I find that extremely unique, very interesting and quite probable in real life too. So honestly, I wouldn’t mind meeting an espressologist and checking out her talents in the same!! (Even if she’s a tad annoying.)
ACTUAL RATING: 2.5
December 6, 2009
Three words; frothy, fun, flavorful!
Move over Cupid, the Espressologist is in!
The Esprossologist is a very fun and cute story. The characters weren't quite developed enough for me. Even Jane the MC, felt a little two dimensional. I didn't feel any connection to her at all. Which was disappointing, because I really enjoyed what little we did learn about her.
Her relationship with Cam was another aspect that I think fell flat. I could see it happening, but it didn't have any real development. I needed a little bit more interaction between the two characters.
I loved the premise of the novel, match making with your favorite coffee drinks! That was incredibly fun!
Overall, an entertaining debut novel!
Move over Cupid, the Espressologist is in!
The Esprossologist is a very fun and cute story. The characters weren't quite developed enough for me. Even Jane the MC, felt a little two dimensional. I didn't feel any connection to her at all. Which was disappointing, because I really enjoyed what little we did learn about her.
Her relationship with Cam was another aspect that I think fell flat. I could see it happening, but it didn't have any real development. I needed a little bit more interaction between the two characters.
I loved the premise of the novel, match making with your favorite coffee drinks! That was incredibly fun!
Overall, an entertaining debut novel!
February 23, 2017
Reakce po dočtení:
Vím, že se hlavní hrdinka nechovala na svj věk. A že to bylo předvídatelné. A mělo to mezery. Ale víte co? Je mi to jedno. Fakt jsem si to užila a tohle čtení přišlo ve správnou chvíli - mám chuť zase číst. A mám chuť na kafe.
~~~
Hodnocení: 4 hvězdičky
~~~
Recenze na blogu: https://marky-books.blogspot.cz/2017/...
Vím, že se hlavní hrdinka nechovala na svj věk. A že to bylo předvídatelné. A mělo to mezery. Ale víte co? Je mi to jedno. Fakt jsem si to užila a tohle čtení přišlo ve správnou chvíli - mám chuť zase číst. A mám chuť na kafe.
~~~
Hodnocení: 4 hvězdičky
~~~
Recenze na blogu: https://marky-books.blogspot.cz/2017/...
October 23, 2018
Seriously one of the BEST short books I have ever read it was amazing I like the whole matching up people based on their coffee drinks it's so unique and the end was cute!!! I loved the main character Jane she was so real!! And em was great too I really liked cam he was soooo sweet and it was refreshing to see the change in Melissa's attitude overall a really great read I really liked it!
January 16, 2013
Možná je to tím, že tahle kniha přišla v tu pravou chvíli, kdy se člověk od rána do večera skoro stále zabývá učením, anebo mě prostě jen okouzlily všechny rozmanité druhy káviček... no holt jsem si tohle lehoučké čtení dokázala užít... je to kapánek trochu jiné a přitom tak dobře známé - až by člověk kroutil očkama nad kdejakým tím klišé - ale... ale? ale! Prostě si usrkněte v tu pravou chvíli a uvidíte :))
October 10, 2010
The Espressologist by Kristina Springer tells the story of Jane Turner, a 17 year old barista at a popular coffee chain. Jane loves her job, works with her best friend Emily and even got promoted to assistant manager.
Jane is constantly writing in a notebook which many of her fellow employees become curious about. Jane finally reveals that she is taking notes on the drinks that people order and the type of person they are. Jane believes that a person’s coffee drink order can be very telling. When Gavin, a regular customer comes in heartbroken over his ex-girlfriend, Jane decides to hook him up with another friend based on their coffee drinks. And, espressology was born.
When Jane’s boss Derek finds out that Jane is matchmaking people based on their coffee preference, he turns her talent into a holiday promotion. Each Friday in December, Jane is stationed at the coffee shop with her notebook and an excel sheet ready to make some matches. The holiday promotion blows up and soon a local TV talk show wants to do a feature on it and all of a sudden all eyes are on Jane.
I absolutely loved this book. It was short and sweet and took me only a day to read. In fact, I stayed up pretty late just to finish it because I was so sucked in to Jane’s story.
The best part about this book? All of the references to coffee. I learned about tons of different drinks, some of which I may have to try out on my next Starbucks run.
This book had excellent supporting characters. Derek, Jane’s boss provided some comic relief throughout the story. Emily, Jane’s best friend provided some much needed conflict after Jane hooked her up with her friend Cam, a sweetheart who made my heart melt throughout the book.
This book was a very simple read. I wouldn’t expect much in terms of the book being deep or thought-provoking. However, this story was light and airy and perfect for a cold winter’s day read. It had a sweet romance and an interesting plot.
Jane is constantly writing in a notebook which many of her fellow employees become curious about. Jane finally reveals that she is taking notes on the drinks that people order and the type of person they are. Jane believes that a person’s coffee drink order can be very telling. When Gavin, a regular customer comes in heartbroken over his ex-girlfriend, Jane decides to hook him up with another friend based on their coffee drinks. And, espressology was born.
When Jane’s boss Derek finds out that Jane is matchmaking people based on their coffee preference, he turns her talent into a holiday promotion. Each Friday in December, Jane is stationed at the coffee shop with her notebook and an excel sheet ready to make some matches. The holiday promotion blows up and soon a local TV talk show wants to do a feature on it and all of a sudden all eyes are on Jane.
I absolutely loved this book. It was short and sweet and took me only a day to read. In fact, I stayed up pretty late just to finish it because I was so sucked in to Jane’s story.
The best part about this book? All of the references to coffee. I learned about tons of different drinks, some of which I may have to try out on my next Starbucks run.
This book had excellent supporting characters. Derek, Jane’s boss provided some comic relief throughout the story. Emily, Jane’s best friend provided some much needed conflict after Jane hooked her up with her friend Cam, a sweetheart who made my heart melt throughout the book.
This book was a very simple read. I wouldn’t expect much in terms of the book being deep or thought-provoking. However, this story was light and airy and perfect for a cold winter’s day read. It had a sweet romance and an interesting plot.
June 30, 2017
★★★★☆
4 Rich Stars For This Coffeelicious Read!
The first word I'll use to describe this story will be: Cute! Really cute!
The novel opens as Jane Turner, our narrator throughout the story, is observing the customer who entered in the Wired Joe's where Jane works and guessing which coffee would he order! And bravo! She's right.
Soon she starts playing the matchmaker for her friends, based on their coffee preferences, and all the couples she matched have an instant connection.Jane decides to call this study of people based on their regular coffee, Espressology.
But when Jane's boss, Derek decides to take help of the little matchmaker for the store's promotion, and the Espressologist is On, Jane doesn't feel quite well. Is it the anticipation of whether her coffee matches with Will, a regular at their shop, and a hottie who Jane has had a crush on since forever? Or is it the match she made for her best friend Em? How will things go for our Espressologist? And in between making matches for the whole district, will she realize when her perfect match knocks on her door?
My Views
This book was funny and sweet in its own different way. Even though, the plot was very predictable I loved the story. After a long time, I'm finishing a book this quickly so it's even more of a great read for me! I would've given five whole stars, but the predictability of the story kind of ruined that chance. It was a light, fun read.
Recommended for anyone who doesn't mind predictable story line!
4 Rich Stars For This Coffeelicious Read!
The first word I'll use to describe this story will be: Cute! Really cute!
The novel opens as Jane Turner, our narrator throughout the story, is observing the customer who entered in the Wired Joe's where Jane works and guessing which coffee would he order! And bravo! She's right.
Soon she starts playing the matchmaker for her friends, based on their coffee preferences, and all the couples she matched have an instant connection.Jane decides to call this study of people based on their regular coffee, Espressology.
But when Jane's boss, Derek decides to take help of the little matchmaker for the store's promotion, and the Espressologist is On, Jane doesn't feel quite well. Is it the anticipation of whether her coffee matches with Will, a regular at their shop, and a hottie who Jane has had a crush on since forever? Or is it the match she made for her best friend Em? How will things go for our Espressologist? And in between making matches for the whole district, will she realize when her perfect match knocks on her door?
My Views
This book was funny and sweet in its own different way. Even though, the plot was very predictable I loved the story. After a long time, I'm finishing a book this quickly so it's even more of a great read for me! I would've given five whole stars, but the predictability of the story kind of ruined that chance. It was a light, fun read.
Recommended for anyone who doesn't mind predictable story line!
January 8, 2017
Minusnya:
1. Karakter tokohnya terlalu klise. Tokoh utama yg dimusuhi cewek populer dan mempunyai seorang sahabat cewek. Sang tokoh utama naksir cowok tampan yg kemungkinan agak a**hole . Maksud gw, formula macam itu bisa ditemukan di mana-mana kan?
2. Tokoh utama kita, Jane Turner, amat-sangat ke-Becky-Becky-an. Well, pengarangnya emang menjadikan Becky Blomwood-nya Sophie Kinsella sebagai karakter fiksi favoritnya. Tapi, nggak harus sifatnya jadi mirip kan?
3. Ini YA toh? *ini mah elu-nya aja yg gak teliti, Dan*
Plus-nya:
1. Bahasanya luwes. Enak untuk diikuti. Makanya novel ini bisa kelar dalam sekali duduk kalo nggak disambi apa-apa (gw mah kelarnya 18274627182373 kali duduk) *sok sibuk*
2. Yg dibahas kopi dan gw baru tahu kalo kopi favorit mewakili karakter seseorang. Gw penggemar kopi, tapi semua kopi gw tengak sih dari kopi tubruk sampe latte dan gw sama sekali nggak peduli apakah itu espresso macchiato ataukah latte macchiato apalagi mengenali perbedaannya*orang Italia, kalian rempong*. Jadi, berkat buku ini, gw belajar sesuatu dari glossarium dan resep kopi di belakangnya. Lumayan ada yg bisa dicontoh.
Terima kasih iJak atas peminjaman bukunya
1. Karakter tokohnya terlalu klise. Tokoh utama yg dimusuhi cewek populer dan mempunyai seorang sahabat cewek. Sang tokoh utama naksir cowok tampan yg kemungkinan agak a**hole . Maksud gw, formula macam itu bisa ditemukan di mana-mana kan?
2. Tokoh utama kita, Jane Turner, amat-sangat ke-Becky-Becky-an. Well, pengarangnya emang menjadikan Becky Blomwood-nya Sophie Kinsella sebagai karakter fiksi favoritnya. Tapi, nggak harus sifatnya jadi mirip kan?
3. Ini YA toh? *ini mah elu-nya aja yg gak teliti, Dan*
Plus-nya:
1. Bahasanya luwes. Enak untuk diikuti. Makanya novel ini bisa kelar dalam sekali duduk kalo nggak disambi apa-apa (gw mah kelarnya 18274627182373 kali duduk) *sok sibuk*
2. Yg dibahas kopi dan gw baru tahu kalo kopi favorit mewakili karakter seseorang. Gw penggemar kopi, tapi semua kopi gw tengak sih dari kopi tubruk sampe latte dan gw sama sekali nggak peduli apakah itu espresso macchiato ataukah latte macchiato apalagi mengenali perbedaannya
Terima kasih iJak atas peminjaman bukunya
June 16, 2012
A story about love & coffee. It does not get any better than that. Another book, that I knew I was going to LOVE. It was a definitely win-win, for me.
I am enjoying more contemporary books lately. Plus, it is a great way to take a break from the fantasy, paranormal, & adventure stories. I needed an easy, lighthearted, & humorous read. When I saw this on the shelves from my local library, I just know, it will be a non-stop reading for me.
You follow a girl name Jane Turner, she is 17 & she is on her senior year. She works at a coffee shop & she can tell what kind of a person they are, by the drinks they order. So, she became a ESPRESSOLOGIST. More likely, a real life cupid. She hooks her friends & co-workers with their soulmate, but can not seem to find her own match or was she looking at the wrong places.
This book was a page turner. The concept of putting two elements, that the readers will praise about. A fun read, that will keeps you in your seat & laughing out loud because it is a non-stop comedy. The characters plays a big part, of why this book is amazing. They add a wonderful flavor, just like coffee. The author did such a great job of entertaining her audience. From the story, characters, & the writing style, were well put together.
I am very fond about this book,that I am sure you will too.
I am enjoying more contemporary books lately. Plus, it is a great way to take a break from the fantasy, paranormal, & adventure stories. I needed an easy, lighthearted, & humorous read. When I saw this on the shelves from my local library, I just know, it will be a non-stop reading for me.
You follow a girl name Jane Turner, she is 17 & she is on her senior year. She works at a coffee shop & she can tell what kind of a person they are, by the drinks they order. So, she became a ESPRESSOLOGIST. More likely, a real life cupid. She hooks her friends & co-workers with their soulmate, but can not seem to find her own match or was she looking at the wrong places.
This book was a page turner. The concept of putting two elements, that the readers will praise about. A fun read, that will keeps you in your seat & laughing out loud because it is a non-stop comedy. The characters plays a big part, of why this book is amazing. They add a wonderful flavor, just like coffee. The author did such a great job of entertaining her audience. From the story, characters, & the writing style, were well put together.
I am very fond about this book,that I am sure you will too.
May 25, 2018
Medium Dry Cappuccino
Smart and simple. Fit and fairly good-looking. A little timid and soft-spoken but probably a powerhouse if ever tested. A good friend.
Thus reads one of the myriad entries in Jane's notebook. Jane knows coffee. And more impressive, she knows the personalities that order every specialty at Wired Joe's coffee shop. A handy gift, in a random relatively useless kind of way. Or so Jane believes until it occurs to her that one particular coffee drinker might be the perfect match for another particular coffee drinker.
And soon Jane's matchmaking skills become the best money-making promotion Wired Joe's has ever seen. Not to mention making a LOT of couples very happy. Though when it comes to Jane's own love life, being an expert espressologist isn't exactly the perfect drink.
Kristina Springer's The Espressologist is a quick, snarky modern retelling of Jane Austen's Emma. Zip, done in a day.
Smart and simple. Fit and fairly good-looking. A little timid and soft-spoken but probably a powerhouse if ever tested. A good friend.
Thus reads one of the myriad entries in Jane's notebook. Jane knows coffee. And more impressive, she knows the personalities that order every specialty at Wired Joe's coffee shop. A handy gift, in a random relatively useless kind of way. Or so Jane believes until it occurs to her that one particular coffee drinker might be the perfect match for another particular coffee drinker.
And soon Jane's matchmaking skills become the best money-making promotion Wired Joe's has ever seen. Not to mention making a LOT of couples very happy. Though when it comes to Jane's own love life, being an expert espressologist isn't exactly the perfect drink.
Kristina Springer's The Espressologist is a quick, snarky modern retelling of Jane Austen's Emma. Zip, done in a day.
January 26, 2010
Jane is the kind of girl I always wished I was (authentic, independent, secretly talented) and the story is a riot. Kristina Springer's descriptions leap off the page. I now want to drink coffee drinks and wear nice clothes all the time. (I wish I had either!)
This was one of those books that suck you in and make you forget you're even reading, until your kid comes up and pretends to be dying of starvation. What a fun read. Perfect for girls of any age. It's full of romance, topped with bubbly humor, and sprinkled with a bit of suspense. And the payoff at the end is as satisfying as the last sip of caramel macchiato in your mug.
This was one of those books that suck you in and make you forget you're even reading, until your kid comes up and pretends to be dying of starvation. What a fun read. Perfect for girls of any age. It's full of romance, topped with bubbly humor, and sprinkled with a bit of suspense. And the payoff at the end is as satisfying as the last sip of caramel macchiato in your mug.
August 30, 2012
Tahle knížka je taková jednohubka. Nebo spíš teda střední karamelový latte macchiato (moje oblíbený kafe, jaký máte vy? :)) Kratičká, s prostým příběhem, který ale není úplně hloupý. Možná maličko přitažený za vlasy, ale takovým tím způsobem, kdy se u toho budete nablble usmívat a prostě to akceptujete. Proto dávám čtyři hvězdičky. Protože v jednoduchosti je krása. A tak nějak mi to sedlo do nálady, obyčejná kniha bez paranormálních přídechů. A hlavně to kafe! :)
September 5, 2013
Nápad to byl zajímavý. Provedení už bohužel ne. Čte se to dobře, je to kniha na chvilku. Ale ten děj je neskutečně přehnaný, dost předvídatelný. Hlavní hrdinka mě nějak nezaujala, přišla mi hloupá. Celkově prostě nic moc. Ale na čtení do vany je to dobré - kdyby mi ta knížka spadla do vody, tak by mě to naštvalo jen kvůli tomu, že je z knihovny.
August 28, 2023
the instant conversion from "if it resembles coffee I'll drink it" to "coffee connoisseur, tasting judge and judgement executioner"... the dangers of trying to boast about a new coffee machine...
August 9, 2010
Book Name: The Espressologist
Author/s: Kristina Springer
Language English
Publisher, year: Farrar Straus Giroux 2009
Page total: 184
Date Read: August 9th
Genre/s: YA, Romance, Fiction
First line of Book:"'Excuse me', the customer says, stepping up to the counter."
Review:
What's your favorite drink?
Seventeen year old Jane knows people by their drinks. I'm not even kidding. After observing what her customers at the cafe she works at ask, she can tell a lot about you just from the drink you ask. She calls it Espressology. So she starts hooking up people, like a modern Emma, and her matches actually work-like her friends Em and Cam! When her boss finds out, though, he turns her talent into an in-store holidays promotion, to raise up sales. Soon, she's known as the local Espressologist, and becomes a local celebrity. She should be happy, right? Well, not exactly... Is it because of Will, the oh-so-hot guy she is completely sure is her soul (or should I say drink) mate? Or because of Em and Cam's love? i mean she was the one who put them together...
I should probably say this is one of the most original stories I've ever read, I'm sure of it. I absolutely LOVE the idea of Espressology, it's awesome! I mean, who doesn't think that being able to find love is easy, that you just have to have a drink, is cool? Or incredible, even?
But, fashion? Come on! Jane didn't seem like the fashion type AT ALL. With all her notes and observations, she sounded more like a future psychologist.
Other thing- her relationship with Cam, I didn't get that either. I love books where the gooey, sentimental parts where they (finally) get together are just in the end, and have an open end, and this was one of them, but HOW DID THEY GET THAT WAY?! It's not as if the book were filled with Jane's sighs and Cam's sighs and love notes! PAH-LEASE! (I can't believe I just wrote this either.) You just find everything out in the very end, well, that didn't make much sense.
I'd like to meet Jane, though, if she were real, I mean. I liked of what I got to know about her. Cam too, I guess. I loved Gavin too, though he didn't appear much, he seemed fantastic. Will, though...err...I didn't like Will at first, I didn't like him in the end. I had to say that.
So...I do recommend \this if you're looking for an interesting and original book that has no vampires in it.
Rating: 4/5
Quotes from book: I have no quotes, you have to read it yourself ;P
Author/s: Kristina Springer
Language English
Publisher, year: Farrar Straus Giroux 2009
Page total: 184
Date Read: August 9th
Genre/s: YA, Romance, Fiction
First line of Book:"'Excuse me', the customer says, stepping up to the counter."
Review:
What's your favorite drink?
Seventeen year old Jane knows people by their drinks. I'm not even kidding. After observing what her customers at the cafe she works at ask, she can tell a lot about you just from the drink you ask. She calls it Espressology. So she starts hooking up people, like a modern Emma, and her matches actually work-like her friends Em and Cam! When her boss finds out, though, he turns her talent into an in-store holidays promotion, to raise up sales. Soon, she's known as the local Espressologist, and becomes a local celebrity. She should be happy, right? Well, not exactly... Is it because of Will, the oh-so-hot guy she is completely sure is her soul (or should I say drink) mate? Or because of Em and Cam's love? i mean she was the one who put them together...
I should probably say this is one of the most original stories I've ever read, I'm sure of it. I absolutely LOVE the idea of Espressology, it's awesome! I mean, who doesn't think that being able to find love is easy, that you just have to have a drink, is cool? Or incredible, even?
But, fashion? Come on! Jane didn't seem like the fashion type AT ALL. With all her notes and observations, she sounded more like a future psychologist.
Other thing- her relationship with Cam, I didn't get that either. I love books where the gooey, sentimental parts where they (finally) get together are just in the end, and have an open end, and this was one of them, but HOW DID THEY GET THAT WAY?! It's not as if the book were filled with Jane's sighs and Cam's sighs and love notes! PAH-LEASE! (I can't believe I just wrote this either.) You just find everything out in the very end, well, that didn't make much sense.
I'd like to meet Jane, though, if she were real, I mean. I liked of what I got to know about her. Cam too, I guess. I loved Gavin too, though he didn't appear much, he seemed fantastic. Will, though...err...I didn't like Will at first, I didn't like him in the end. I had to say that.
So...I do recommend \this if you're looking for an interesting and original book that has no vampires in it.
Rating: 4/5
Quotes from book: I have no quotes, you have to read it yourself ;P
February 28, 2016
Jane's works as a barista at Wired Joe's and she's been keeping notes on drinks and the type of people that order them. One day she realises that two customers are compatible with each other based on their coffee of choice and decides to match them. What started as a casual hobby becomes a huge deal and soon she's matching everyone on Friday nights. The Espressologist was a very cute story. It was predictable but I enjoyed it anyway. If you love contemporaries and coffee, give The Espressologist a shot.
February 23, 2018
I really loved the story right from the start. The main character is funny & relatable and the writing was so true to life. Just wish some chapters would have developed the romance aspect more and the silly talk show stuff less.
February 20, 2016
This book was so cute. It was creative and a very quick read. Stay tuned for a review at http://www.Booknerd777.Blogspot.com :)
July 26, 2016
No jo, děsná blbina, ale číst to před deseti lety, tak jsem u vytržení. Bylo by nefér hodnotit níž, jelikož jsem minimálně o deset let starší, než cílovka. Vlastně se to četlo docela fajn :)
August 12, 2020
I think the main thing that I got from this book is that if you drink small nonfat lattes, you're a bitch.
I don't really know why I was expecting this to be thought provoking and whimsical in the way that tea leaf readings and zodiac signs can be. I mean, who doesn't love to take a peek at how the moon doesn't vibe with your astrological charts? Looking back on it, my first misstep was probably assuming that this would be an in depth analysis on why your caffeine choices format your personality. Instead I got this:
"Large nonfat four-shot caffe latte
Cocky sex-deprived butthead guy drink. Expect only the utmost stupidity to come out of his mouth. So-so body, could stand to workout more. Crappy dresser..."
You think that's not a direct quote? First paragraph, my friends.
Yeah, not only was Miss Barista hella judgy the whole time but she was also just...mean. And kind of stuck up. Most of the time she wasn't really making cool, psychological leaps based on espresso shots but judging her customers (and friends) by their outward appearances. And while I've seen a couple of reviews complaining about the fact that she works in a corporate coffee shop much like Starbucks I think what was more disturbing was the fact that she spends all day judging guys based on their fat percentage. I mean the first thing that she said about the love interest, Cam ( probably the only redeeming aspect of this novel btw. We stan a gentlemen.) Was that he as "so-so" in the looks department. Apparently he had nice eyes though... so there's that.
On a side note, the fact that this little twit was assistant manager and hadn't gone to school in like two weeks REALLY irked me. I mean... privilege much? In high school, I was working three jobs and going to a liberal arts high school just so I could THINK about going to a nice liberal arts college. Yeah. But sure, Brittany. You can just skip school for weeks on end because the classes "bore" you. Cool.
In the end, she gets help from the girl that she was judging for over half the book and TADA! She gets to go to her dream college. Minnie wave in celebration of her.
Listen, this was a quick read in the end. Sure. It was surface level and our MC's a mean girl without the personality of Rachel McAdams but idk maybe that's your thing. Luckily for everyone, she remained this way through the whole book and will likely go onto college to objectify a whole other generation of people.
I don't really know why I was expecting this to be thought provoking and whimsical in the way that tea leaf readings and zodiac signs can be. I mean, who doesn't love to take a peek at how the moon doesn't vibe with your astrological charts? Looking back on it, my first misstep was probably assuming that this would be an in depth analysis on why your caffeine choices format your personality. Instead I got this:
"Large nonfat four-shot caffe latte
Cocky sex-deprived butthead guy drink. Expect only the utmost stupidity to come out of his mouth. So-so body, could stand to workout more. Crappy dresser..."
You think that's not a direct quote? First paragraph, my friends.
Yeah, not only was Miss Barista hella judgy the whole time but she was also just...mean. And kind of stuck up. Most of the time she wasn't really making cool, psychological leaps based on espresso shots but judging her customers (and friends) by their outward appearances. And while I've seen a couple of reviews complaining about the fact that she works in a corporate coffee shop much like Starbucks I think what was more disturbing was the fact that she spends all day judging guys based on their fat percentage. I mean the first thing that she said about the love interest, Cam ( probably the only redeeming aspect of this novel btw. We stan a gentlemen.) Was that he as "so-so" in the looks department. Apparently he had nice eyes though... so there's that.
On a side note, the fact that this little twit was assistant manager and hadn't gone to school in like two weeks REALLY irked me. I mean... privilege much? In high school, I was working three jobs and going to a liberal arts high school just so I could THINK about going to a nice liberal arts college. Yeah. But sure, Brittany. You can just skip school for weeks on end because the classes "bore" you. Cool.
In the end, she gets help from the girl that she was judging for over half the book and TADA! She gets to go to her dream college. Minnie wave in celebration of her.
Listen, this was a quick read in the end. Sure. It was surface level and our MC's a mean girl without the personality of Rachel McAdams but idk maybe that's your thing. Luckily for everyone, she remained this way through the whole book and will likely go onto college to objectify a whole other generation of people.
November 8, 2012
Kafe nepiju, jeho chuť můj jazyk nesnese, přesto, když se taková káva čerstvě umele, mohla bych se po té vůni zbláznit. Představte si mě nad balíček čerstvě umleté kávy a můj obličej do onoho balíčku zabořen ... asi tak jsem vypadala i u čtení této knížky, která se mi opravdu strašlivě moc líbila. Původně jsem knihu ohodnotila třemi hvězdičkami, ale při psaní bodů do recenze jsem si uvědomila, že se mi líbila daleko víc a nenašla jsem vlastně žádnou věc, kterou bych knize vytkla. Byla jsem naprosto spokojená ☺
Espressologie je naprosto příjemná a milá oddychovka. Kniha je krátká, čte se rychle, stránky odsýpají jedna za druhou a přesto si dokážete udělat obrázek o postavách a vysnít si ve své mysli onu kavárnu, ve které se vlastně celý příběh odehrává.
Hlavní hrdinkou je zde Jane, studentka, která pracuje v pobočce Coffee Joe jako baristka. S ní zde pracuje ještě dalších pár děvčat, mezi nimi je i její nejlepší kamarádka Em. Jane je pro svou práci doslova stvořená, podle chování a gest lidí dokáže odhadnout, jaký druh kávy si objednají. Někdo to rád s karamelem, jiný se skořicí, jiný se šlehačkou a další raději odtučněné. Jane si je jistá svojí teorií, že dokáže dát díky kávě dohromady dva lidi, kteří hledají lásku. Nejenže se jí to daří, ale stane se nejslavnější ve městě. Blíží se Vánoce a Jane je ráda, že díky ní spousta lidí oslaví svátky společně. Jediný člověk, kterému se však nedaří najít vhodný protějšek, je ona sama. Jak celý příběh dopadne? Podaří se jí najít vhodný protějšek? Nebo si onen protějšek musí najít ji?
Tento příběh se mi velmi líbil. Kéž by bylo více takových. Zamilovala jsem si jednoduchý děj, skvělé prostředí, kde se příběh odehrával, partičku holek v kavárně, hnusnou Melissu, Cama - spolužáka Jane,... možná je mi trošku líto rychlého konce, přeci jen jsem romantička a chtěla jsem se v závěrečných láskyplných pasážích "rochnit" trochu déle, ale nakonec to bylo fajn a bylo to přesně tak akorát ☺
Espressologie je naprosto příjemná a milá oddychovka. Kniha je krátká, čte se rychle, stránky odsýpají jedna za druhou a přesto si dokážete udělat obrázek o postavách a vysnít si ve své mysli onu kavárnu, ve které se vlastně celý příběh odehrává.
Hlavní hrdinkou je zde Jane, studentka, která pracuje v pobočce Coffee Joe jako baristka. S ní zde pracuje ještě dalších pár děvčat, mezi nimi je i její nejlepší kamarádka Em. Jane je pro svou práci doslova stvořená, podle chování a gest lidí dokáže odhadnout, jaký druh kávy si objednají. Někdo to rád s karamelem, jiný se skořicí, jiný se šlehačkou a další raději odtučněné. Jane si je jistá svojí teorií, že dokáže dát díky kávě dohromady dva lidi, kteří hledají lásku. Nejenže se jí to daří, ale stane se nejslavnější ve městě. Blíží se Vánoce a Jane je ráda, že díky ní spousta lidí oslaví svátky společně. Jediný člověk, kterému se však nedaří najít vhodný protějšek, je ona sama. Jak celý příběh dopadne? Podaří se jí najít vhodný protějšek? Nebo si onen protějšek musí najít ji?
Tento příběh se mi velmi líbil. Kéž by bylo více takových. Zamilovala jsem si jednoduchý děj, skvělé prostředí, kde se příběh odehrával, partičku holek v kavárně, hnusnou Melissu, Cama - spolužáka Jane,... možná je mi trošku líto rychlého konce, přeci jen jsem romantička a chtěla jsem se v závěrečných láskyplných pasážích "rochnit" trochu déle, ale nakonec to bylo fajn a bylo to přesně tak akorát ☺
June 6, 2011
OMG! Now Come-on people! seriously?!! ^.^ Don't rate this book 1 or 2 stars! I mean, it was so freaking cute!!! =D How could anybody NOT go like "awwwn! this book was so sweet!!!" after reading this?! Don't go hard on this book! =[ Be happy! =DD
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The cover of this book is really nice, pretty, simple and those-types-of-books-you-would-like-to-own-just-because-of-the-cute-covers. The theme of this book is also different, something, which nobody have read and it is definitely a Chick Lit book. The Plot is really simple, like books you already know the ending of, before even reading it and it was a fun, light, cute book for teens or for people who love girly books.
I mean I loved it! Sometimes these kind of books makes me feel light, bubbly and happy after reading all those dark paranormal fantasy books. It was really good but the only problem I had while reading this book was the descriptive part. Like, I don't even know what color Jane's eyes are, some parts, like the ending, were a little, too fast, and we couldn't get the image or the "thing" the author was trying to explain. But whatever! It was her first book and she did a very awesome job!!! ^.^
I am gonna rate this book, 4/5 stars and I am waiting for her new books :)
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The cover of this book is really nice, pretty, simple and those-types-of-books-you-would-like-to-own-just-because-of-the-cute-covers. The theme of this book is also different, something, which nobody have read and it is definitely a Chick Lit book. The Plot is really simple, like books you already know the ending of, before even reading it and it was a fun, light, cute book for teens or for people who love girly books.
I mean I loved it! Sometimes these kind of books makes me feel light, bubbly and happy after reading all those dark paranormal fantasy books. It was really good but the only problem I had while reading this book was the descriptive part. Like, I don't even know what color Jane's eyes are, some parts, like the ending, were a little, too fast, and we couldn't get the image or the "thing" the author was trying to explain. But whatever! It was her first book and she did a very awesome job!!! ^.^
I am gonna rate this book, 4/5 stars and I am waiting for her new books :)
June 18, 2010
I love the concept, I have been a proponent of it for a long time: what kind of coffee someone orders can tell you something about that person whether it be current circumstances or personality. A young woman who works at a coffee shop realizes she has a talent for predicting what people will order based on their personalities and thinks that certain drinks (people) go with other drinks (persons)…and so begins a journey of matchmaking that of course goes awry. For a book based on this concept, they don’t really take it where it longed to be: in a sociological study. Some of the observations are apt: skinny vanilla latte = b*tch and the Americano’s described as laid back, not trying to impress anyone – yeah. Personally, guys who don’t take their coffee strong and/or black weird me out. I don’t want a dude ordering some blended drink with five different flavors and extra sugar with sprinkles on top as his poison of choice. Not unless he plans to fly home on a unicorn…in that case, good on you and Godspeed.
April 18, 2016
a light and fast read. The other half of the book was the best. I liked Em ans Jane so much especially their relationship. However, I think it is too ideal and some of the incedences don't make any sense. but overall, I liked it
April 11, 2017
RECENZE NA BLOGU
Ve zkratce? Brilantní nápad, ničím nepřekvapující zápletka a vskutku TYPICKÁ románová hrdinka. Jediné doporučení: jako nenáročná kniha na cesty.
Ve zkratce? Brilantní nápad, ničím nepřekvapující zápletka a vskutku TYPICKÁ románová hrdinka. Jediné doporučení: jako nenáročná kniha na cesty.
April 15, 2013
Tohle byl vtip, že?
November 7, 2023
Že bych taky začala pít espresso?
July 30, 2017
If I ever hear the word "totally" again, I'm totally going to bang my head against the wall until I can't feel myself think anymore. Now, I didn't count them, or try to verify this, but it seems as if the word totally was used at least three times in every chapter.
But that aside, I had kind of hoped to like this book. I heard it was loosely based off Emma, which is one of my favorite Jane Austen books. So it combined two of my favorite things: Emma and coffee. What's not to love?
Well, I spoke too soon. Turns out there's a lot not to love about it. First of all, to say this is loosely based off Emma doesn't quite cover it. I mean, it's very misleading. I would say it's barely based off Emma. The only thing the two have in common is matchmaking and it's so different in both the stories that they hardly have it in common. So I didn't see any resemblance to the Jane Austen story at all.
Secondly, I knew the story was going to move pretty fast when I discovered it was under 200 pages, but it moved too fast. Kristina Springer did not give herself enough pages to tell the story she was trying to tell.
When I read the synopsis for the book, I knew it was about people being matched up by their coffee selections, and I was intrigued. I figured, since it was the synopsis, there must be a bit more too it than that, but no. That's all it is. Jane, the dim-witted main character, keeps a notebook where she guesses the personality of people based on their favorite coffee drink (as if only people with particular personalities enjoy certain drinks) and then tries to match them up based off her assumptions. And that is it.
When she gets teased for this, she tells the person off by saying "there's a science to it." NO THERE IS NOT. YOU ARE PUTTING PEOPLE TOGETHER BASED ON WHAT YOU IMAGINE THEIR PERSONALITY TO BE BECAUSE OF THAT COFFEE THEY DRINK. THAT IS NOT SCIENCE. THAT IS IMAGINATION. But everyone's just like "oooooh you have a special giiiift. You find people's truuuuue loooooooove. I thought I would never love again until you set me up." Puh-lease. If finding love was as simple as matching up our favorite coffees, I think everyone could find love on their own.
But the stupidity doesn't end there. She and this guy are in love after pretty much two conversations. But this girl is so awkward. She just can't talk to people. If a guy walks in the coffee shop she's tripping over her tongue because "omg he's sooooo cuuuuuuuuute" and when girls come in "omg she was so mean to me once!" and when her boss is talking to her "omg i have to lie." What is this girl's problem?
I just really can't get over how much this book bothered me. She and her friend are literally judging people by how they look and dress. How shallow can you get?
And it also really bothers me when adults write books about teenagers so they try to write in teenager which they think looks like this:
wrk in 15
u need 2 come
c u
I don't think it can get much more obnoxious than that.
So, her boss makes her assistant manager and she's the works assistant manager ever. She called out because her friend got dumped. That is not a good reason to miss work. But whatever, right?
And when her boss finds out she matches people up based on their coffee drinks, he makes her the store promotion and calls her the espressologist and she does it for two days and is an instant celebrity and finds everyone's true love, never matches anyone with a wrong person because all you need to know is what coffee they like and people go on one date with their match and are happy for life and when she finds her enemy a match the girl is nice to her and helps her get into her dream college and everyone lives happily ever after. The End. Literally.
There was nothing about this book that did not aggravate me.
But that aside, I had kind of hoped to like this book. I heard it was loosely based off Emma, which is one of my favorite Jane Austen books. So it combined two of my favorite things: Emma and coffee. What's not to love?
Well, I spoke too soon. Turns out there's a lot not to love about it. First of all, to say this is loosely based off Emma doesn't quite cover it. I mean, it's very misleading. I would say it's barely based off Emma. The only thing the two have in common is matchmaking and it's so different in both the stories that they hardly have it in common. So I didn't see any resemblance to the Jane Austen story at all.
Secondly, I knew the story was going to move pretty fast when I discovered it was under 200 pages, but it moved too fast. Kristina Springer did not give herself enough pages to tell the story she was trying to tell.
When I read the synopsis for the book, I knew it was about people being matched up by their coffee selections, and I was intrigued. I figured, since it was the synopsis, there must be a bit more too it than that, but no. That's all it is. Jane, the dim-witted main character, keeps a notebook where she guesses the personality of people based on their favorite coffee drink (as if only people with particular personalities enjoy certain drinks) and then tries to match them up based off her assumptions. And that is it.
When she gets teased for this, she tells the person off by saying "there's a science to it." NO THERE IS NOT. YOU ARE PUTTING PEOPLE TOGETHER BASED ON WHAT YOU IMAGINE THEIR PERSONALITY TO BE BECAUSE OF THAT COFFEE THEY DRINK. THAT IS NOT SCIENCE. THAT IS IMAGINATION. But everyone's just like "oooooh you have a special giiiift. You find people's truuuuue loooooooove. I thought I would never love again until you set me up." Puh-lease. If finding love was as simple as matching up our favorite coffees, I think everyone could find love on their own.
But the stupidity doesn't end there. She and this guy are in love after pretty much two conversations. But this girl is so awkward. She just can't talk to people. If a guy walks in the coffee shop she's tripping over her tongue because "omg he's sooooo cuuuuuuuuute" and when girls come in "omg she was so mean to me once!" and when her boss is talking to her "omg i have to lie." What is this girl's problem?
I just really can't get over how much this book bothered me. She and her friend are literally judging people by how they look and dress. How shallow can you get?
And it also really bothers me when adults write books about teenagers so they try to write in teenager which they think looks like this:
wrk in 15
u need 2 come
c u
I don't think it can get much more obnoxious than that.
So, her boss makes her assistant manager and she's the works assistant manager ever. She called out because her friend got dumped. That is not a good reason to miss work. But whatever, right?
And when her boss finds out she matches people up based on their coffee drinks, he makes her the store promotion and calls her the espressologist and she does it for two days and is an instant celebrity and finds everyone's true love, never matches anyone with a wrong person because all you need to know is what coffee they like and people go on one date with their match and are happy for life and when she finds her enemy a match the girl is nice to her and helps her get into her dream college and everyone lives happily ever after. The End. Literally.
There was nothing about this book that did not aggravate me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 705 reviews