Coffee Chronicles Meets Che Michelle Tales

I would like to declare TikTok made me do it! A few weeks ago, an author on TikTok encouraged followers to come to Bowie, MD to the Barnes and Nobles to meet her and get a copy her book signed. I realized I had a rare free weekend and decided to go. My friends were busy, and my boyfriend had family plans. My original plan was to do my morning workouts, planned a brief stop at work, then headed to meet the author. But my job was closed due to a system outage. So, no stopping at work, and I figured I could sit at Barnes and Nobles, work on a blog, essay or whatever I desire. I packed my laptop, checked my bank account, and set off. Now, here in the Barnes and Noble café, I see the author setting up her TikTok camera. I resolve to play it cool or at least try to be cool. My plan: buy a book, get it signed, ask about doing a podcast. As I wait, a little girl comes up and starts chatting to me about gummy worms. Pause, what is about kids that they feel safe talking to me, and wanting me to play with them. I looked over to the grandmother, and told her she was fine.  I smiled at the kid, the next ten minutes the little human was smiling, laughing, and enjoying the freedom of life. I realized as adults we should protect spaces for kids to be safe and happy, I digress.

 Here I play-by-play of what happens next. After the kid and their family left, with the guardian, stating out loud “That cost 21 dollars, you sure you want that?” The older sibling shook their head yes, and the grandmother with the sass only an older black woman could muster, well fine I guess but we ain’t getting no ice cream. I suspect they still got ice cream once leaving the Barnes and Nobles. The little one who decided I would be the observer of her whimsy gave a side look over to her grandmother, of mischievous disagreement, that ice cream was to be had on this hot Saturday afternoon. I pack up my stuff and walk over to the author’s table. I wasn’t nervous, but my eyes were wet, oh no nerves and air conditioners, attacking my eyeballs. There are three other authors, but I am on a mission Geri Cohen Biddy energy from her TikTok videos motivated this adventure, and it did not disappoint. Warm smile, great energy, and the book in question drew me to the table. As if I floated to her. I had to wait my turn, a woman was talking to her, but when she was done, we talked. The usual author talks, just magical enough and cordial. I was curious about what the book was like, a romantic story, heartbreak, or something else? The author gently informed me it was a memoir of her search for happily ever after—the first book in a three-book series “Muse: Brown Sugar- A Dangerous Kind of Love.”

Geri Cohen Biddy was warm, friendly, and funny. I enjoyed our brief interaction and, feeling bold, asked if she would join my friends’ podcast Three Angry Black People. She said yes, which made my heart skip a beat. Not only was it a yes, but it was also enthusiastic yes. Now I just need to convince the fellas to interview her. [Sidenote the fellas are not hard to convince we trust each other and want what is best for the pod. Really, I just need to ask and see if they agree.]  A thought danced through my head, but my stomach bubbled silently, it needed fuel.

Afterward, I stayed at B&N Café to work on this post and ordered a Spinach and Feta Cheese Pretzel. It was okay I didn’t eat enough today so it filled me up enough. My drink is my 3^rd favorite Cold Brew Vanilla Cold Brew with foam. Even on a weight-loss/get-fit journey, I love Cold Brew with Cold foam. Here are the questions this adventure brought up. When will I finish the book? I am hoping for a week or two. I still have to work, and it depends on my free time. When will she be on the podcast? As of right now June 28, 2026. Did you come off like a stalker? God, I hope not, that would be frightening. It’s  not like I know her Birthday, I mean she volunteered that she is an Aquarius.

All in all, this was a great Coffee Chronicles: I got food, wrote a post, and met an author. Win-Win, locked down a guest for the next podcast. I decided not to get a picture with the author it felt like crossing a line. Instead, I look forward to learning more about her process during the podcast. Below are some links to check out:

 Here the author website : Geri Cohen Biddy

Here the author’s Tik-Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gericbiddy?_r=1&_t=ZT-97Cig4fE5in

 Here a link to buy the book: https://amzn.to/4ei3tqh

Until Next Time,

Che Michelle