Instagram story viewer> @theyellowbrickreader> Posts

Dorothy | 🌈📚🐛

@theyellowbrickreader

1.6K

followers

400

following

SNJ Coffee•Books•Community @renscoffeenj
#Dorothys40thYearOfBooks

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

Allow me to reintroduce myself! ☕️📚✨

Hi! My name’s Dorothy and I own and operate a small independent bookstore and coffeeshop with my wife! You can find us @renscoffeenj 🧡💛💚

I have a lifelong love of books and reading! I read broadly across genres but my personal go-tos are character driven fiction that’s rooted in reality and nonfiction deep dives, memoir, and personal development.

I spent my first chunk of adulthood with a career in HR/Payroll/HRIS in the medical device, education and snack food industries. I hit midlife, shaved my head, quit my job, and started living the dream... 🙃

There’s nothing as rewarding and fulfilling as this small business life. (But don’t get it twisted- it’s also really hard work) To be honest, at this stage it’s pretty much where I focus 110% of my time and energy. The rest (?) goes to my dad who I help care for and my eight cats. Yes eight. Did I forget to mention I’m a childless cat lady too? 😽

When I have a free minute, you’ll probably catch me watching reality tv with a book and a cat beside me.

I’ve been running this account for over six years, and I appreciate everyone who’s been around to follow my journey! (all of this is just a journey, don’t get too worried about the end result…)

If you read this far, drop a comment of something that you think of when you think of me! by @theyellowbrickreader

48

20

6 months ago

Are you constantly putting your needs last?

In episode 46 of my Sensitive Stories podcast, I talk with Dorothy Meyer @renscoffeenj @theyellowbrickreader about finding the courage to care for yourself and:

➡️ Carving out time for your favorite forms of self-care like reading

➡️ Resetting from burnout by leaning on your support system and resources

➡️ Closing the gap between your passions and your career to find more meaningful work

➡️ Breaking free from perfectionism with small snippets of self-care

Comment “podlink” below and I’ll send you the link to listen to our conversation. 💜

#bookstagram #booklovers #highlysensitivepeople #hsp #selfcaretips by @theyellowbrickreader

95

8

2 years ago

The face of a 40 y/o woman who just left her job in the corporate world to dedicate herself fully to running a small independent coffeeshop and bookstore business. ☕️📚🛍️ ✨

Thanks @renscoffeenj for already being a dream come true to my wife, and for being the biggest professional leap I’ve ever taken. Here’s to the chance to now lead myself to a new realm of creativity, personal growth, softened edges, lots of learning and lots of fun!

Next chapter! 🤓✌🏻💞✨ by @theyellowbrickreader

116

46

2 years ago

Yesteryear fans - your next read is here! Fallow, the debut novel by Sarah Anderson, is out today (9/15/26) from @fsgbooks !

When you’re ready for another slightly unhinged narrator named Natalie, pick this one up! Bonus points if you listen to the audiobook, because it’s also narrated by a Natalie- @natalienaudus - one of the best voices out there!

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel- spunky and sly!
Thank you @librofm for the ALC! by @theyellowbrickreader

22

6

15 days ago

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. 🫶🏻

At Ren’s we stand behind the message from the International Association for Suicide Prevention:

Changing the narrative on suicide requires systemic change. It’s about shifting from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding, and support. #WorldSuicidePreventionDay #WSPD2026

Someone dies by suicide every 43 seconds. One life lost is one too many. Readers, I hope you find peace in one of these recommendations. Be gentle with yourself and read with care- these titles don’t shy away from the issue at hand. Find these selections in store or on or @bookshop_org or @librofm storefronts.

Recommended Resources for more information and if you or someone you know is in crisis:
@988lifeline
@afspnational
@afspnewjersey
@namicommunicate
@twloha by @theyellowbrickreader

75

1

20 days ago

Happy pub day @coachbennett and @coachbennettsbook !

I picked up my signed copy from @thunderroadbooks and finally had a chance to see their new space. 🤩

TRB sits on the corner lot just a crosswalk away from the lake in Spring Lake, NJ - which has got to be one of the state’s most picturesque bookstores in one of its most picturesque towns. Also just three blocks from the ocean. Highly recommend you take time to visit!

Forever grateful to Kate @thesaltybookworm for being an awesome human and a personal inspiration and mentor to me in the bookselling world.

Also grateful to @coachbennett, who has changed my whole outlook on running and being a runner. I’m signed up for the OCNJ half marathon this fall- my first race at this distance. Ive been following his @nikerunning training plan and I’d be lost without it. by @theyellowbrickreader

37

2

a month ago

Wedding bouquet recreation bookends! 💜

I’m so grateful for my friend Carolyn @shopsuninscorpio who does such beautiful work in floral preservation! Though I didn’t know well enough to plan to preserve my original wedding bouquet, I supplied her with a few photos and got these beautiful custom made recreation pieces! 🤩

Was not prepared for how well it would coordinate with my @canterburyclassics edition of the Brontë sisters collection!

On the shelf with my fancy edition of The 5 Love Languages. 💛

My original bouquet 5.14.23. 💐

Any excuse to post a bridal pic. 👰🏼‍♀️

Bouquet featuring both the wives! 😘

The lifecycle of my bouquet post wedding. I put it in a vase on my wedding night, it traveled home in a wine box, I took some pretty photos and then none the wiser, I left it to wither while we had our 10 day honeymoon.🏔️

Catch these beauties from a 360 in motion view! by @theyellowbrickreader

41

3

a month ago

Baltimore was such a wonderful host city for 2026 @newvoicesnewrooms booksellers conference! Here’s some shots of the harbor and the local bookstores I got to visit! I came home with no shortage of new books. 🤓
Sometimes I still have to pinch myself and remember that I own a bookstore! It’s been a whirlwind full of pinch me moments but I am solidly out there doing the thing. So great to connect with my fellow booksellers from @naibabooksellers and @siba_books this week! by @theyellowbrickreader

21

2

2 months ago

I’ve been loving this trend and it took me forever to find books to match…but now I’m pretty proud of these! 💁🏼‍♀️ by @theyellowbrickreader

19

11

2 months ago

Has she finally hit a 2026 reading groove? I’d rather be reading… and back in the Catskills tbh. 🏔️🌲📖💕 by @theyellowbrickreader

26

2

2 months ago

Retreat to the Catskills but make it bookish! 🚙⛰️💕

Thank you Suzanne @allbookedretreats for an amazing weekend!

If you’re thinking of signing up for a book retreat, this is your sign! ✌🏼📖 by @theyellowbrickreader

40

8

3 months ago

Oh shit, she’s trending 💁🏼‍♀️ by @theyellowbrickreader

29

1

3 months ago