A New Non-Fiction Book

What would you say
if someone actually
asked?

A Cup of Cappuccino — by Tracie Zerpoli

For over twenty years, Tracie Zerpoli asked real people the questions we all wonder about. Their honest, funny, and deeply human answers will make you laugh, make you think, and make you ask yourself the same thing.

Releasing June 1, 2026

-- Days
-- Hours
-- Mins
-- Secs
Discover the book
50 Questions
1000+ Answers
Stories to Tell
1 Cup at a Time
In a world that moves too fast, A Cup of Cappuccino invites you to slow down and reflect on the simple yet meaningful experiences that shape our lives.

Tracie Zerpoli

A Cup of Cappuccino book cover by Tracie Zerpoli

About the Book

Questions that
connect us all

Tracie Zerpoli has posed simple yet profoundly revealing questions to people from all walks of life. Now, she's sharing their answers.

What makes you laugh? Why do you get out of bed in the morning? What's the most useless gift you've ever received?

Presented in an engaging Q&A format, each chapter begins with a thought-provoking question followed by the author's heartfelt reflections and the raw responses of everyday people. These answers will surprise you, make you think, spark laughter, and sometimes stir deep emotion.

With each question, you're encouraged to pause, sip your coffee, and think about your own story. Whether you read a few pages each morning or share it with friends around the table, A Cup of Cappuccino is a gentle reminder to reflect, to listen, and to find joy in the small things that make life rich.

Best Served With:

A double-shot cappuccino, a rainy Tuesday morning, and an open mind.

Format Q&A / Non-Fiction
Author Tracie Zerpoli
Release June 1, 2026

What You'll Experience

A book that makes you feel
seen

Every chapter will surprise you, move you, and leave you wondering: how would I answer that?

Unexpected Laughter

The answers will surprise you in ways you didn't expect, from hilarious revelations to the "Oh my gosh, you have to read this one" moments.

Genuine Emotion

Stories that stir something deep. Answers so honest they'll stay with you long after you close the book.

Self-Reflection

Each question is also an invitation. You'll find yourself pausing to think: what would my answer be?

Human Connection

Discover the shared experiences that bridge the gaps between us, no matter who we are or where we’ve been.

Who This Book Is For

Perfect for anyone who
loves a good story

Look Inside

A taste of what's inside

Swipe or click to turn the page. Real responses collected over twenty years.

"What makes you laugh?"

"My husband. He knows me better than anybody and knows the sensitivity of my buttons."

"Those stupid videos where people get hurt. I’m a horrible person for laughing so hard."

"One day I was visiting my grandmother. She commented to me that she was really shrinking because the table had become so much taller... I looked under the table and found that the carpet cleaners had put blocks under each table leg to clean. We laughed and laughed."

"What is your scariest experience?"

"Being held up at gunpoint. The gun was pointed at my head, and the gun holder was stoned out of his mind, his eyes glazed and his hand shaking."

"Without any thought it was when they told my husband he had cancer. I cried for days. When he said the Lord would either heal him or take him home, I told him he wasn’t going to leave me in this mess."

"Being in the delivery room when my grandson was born. That was right up there with flying!"

"What's the most useless gift you've ever received?"

"A tiny can of Spam from my aunt which turned into a running family joke. My mom loved Spam as a kid, so I regifted it and gave it to her as a gag gift. The next Christmas, I unwrapped a small package from my aunt, the same can of Spam!"

"I once received as a wedding gift 'one' artichoke holder. At first I had no idea what it was. But why only one?"

"My mom gave me a pair of plastic things with nails in them that you are supposed to attach to the bottom of your shoes then walk around your yard to 'aerate' your grass. Never used 'em, still have 'em."

"What is your most embarrassing moment?"

"Coming out of the restroom at a crowded restaurant and walking all the way back to my table with the hem of my skirt caught up in the waistband of my underwear… the thong underwear that is."

"A woman was telling me how yogurt is really good for her. I proceeded to ask her if that was because of the baby. You guessed it. Not pregnant. She was not very nice after that."

"Are you kidding? Of course like every other female who will not admit it, it’s passing gas when you are not alone."

"Where do you want to go with your life?"

"More of my life is behind me than ahead of me, but I still have things to do. When I retire, I plan to continue working but at something that will help others. "

"I am not even fifteen and people want to know what I am going to do with my life. I find it stupid. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow."

"During the last year, I have realized that I have no idea where I want my life to go, but I really trust that God will make it an awesome and unbelievable adventure if I let him!"

Get a Free Excerpt

Sign up below and receive the first five questions before release day.

From the people behind the answers

Reflections from those who
shared their stories

Answering these questions has helped me get in touch with my own feelings. I feel so blessed to have traveled this road of discovery.

— F, 46

The questions ran the entire gamut from funny to thought-provoking. It has been a total ball and so much fun to be included!

— F, 71

It helped me clarify what I was thinking and feeling by exploring areas of my life I might never have investigated on my own.

— M, 67

Tracie Zerpoli, author of A Cup of Cappuccino

Tracie Zerpoli — educator, author, and lifelong question-asker.

The Author

Tracie Zerpoli

Tracie loves questions — big ones, small ones, and even silly ones. But what she enjoys most are the answers that follow.

With over thirty-five years in education as a student, teacher, administrator, and superintendent, she set out to create a book that encourages readers not only to ask questions, but to discover the richness found in the variety of answers.

When she isn't writing or creating something new, Tracie can usually be found spending time with her husband, children, or grandchildren. She enjoys listening to a good murder mystery, hiking, sharing a meal with her siblings, attending church, reconnecting with old friends, enjoying the outdoors (especially in Montana), and travelling the world.

Tracie hopes this book encourages imagination by motivating readers to ask "cappuccino questions" in their daily lives. She believes that in doing so, we can uncover unexpected treasures and connect with one another more deeply than ever before.

35+ Years in Education Former Superintendent World Traveler Career Technical Education Advocate Woman of Faith Debut Author
Reach Out to Tracie

Now Collecting Stories

Your story could be in
the next book

Tracie is gathering fresh voices for her next edition. Sign up below and she'll personally reach out with a handful of thoughtful questions. Your answers may be part of what comes next.

Share Your Details

Fill in your name and email below. Takes less than a minute.

Tracie Reaches Out

She'll personally send you a handful of thoughtful questions.

Your Story Is Heard

Your answers may be featured in the next edition of the book.

Stay in the Loop

Receive updates, an excerpt, and news about the June release.

Releasing June 1, 2026 · Cafe Reflections

Be Part of It

Be Part of the Next Chapter

Every cup of coffee comes with a story. I'd love to hear yours.

Share your details below and I'll be in touch with some thought-provoking questions. Your answers may appear in the next edition. Plus, you'll get a free sample of the book before release day!

Your details are kept secure and used only for this project.

Wonderful — your details are in.
Tracie will be in touch soon with some questions worth sitting with.

Why join the list?

The form is your invitation to be part of something real. Tracie reads every submission personally and will reach out with thoughtful questions.

Be in the next book

Your answers to Tracie's questions may appear in the next edition of A Cup of Cappuccino.

Stay in the loop

Receive updates on the book's release, events, and the occasional question worth sitting with over a warm cup.

Get a free excerpt

Receive the first three questions before release day!

Your details are safe

Your information is used only for this project and never shared with third parties.

Ready to share your story? Fill in the form and Tracie will be in touch.

Enquiries — tracie@cupofcappuccino.com