ABOUT ME, AND MY DOG

My love for reading was instilled in me by my grandma. I spent a lot of time with my grandparents during my formative years and a good portion of that time was spent reading and going to the library. My earliest novels were by J. C. Andrews and Stephen King. I gravitated towards scary stories, horror, and true crime. I definitely recall my mom having some concerns when, as a teenager, I purchased The Family by Ed Sanders; one of the earliest books about Charles Manson. As I’ve matured, my reading interests have widened significantly. I still love Stephen King; his son, Joe Hill, is also one of my favorite authors. Today, I will read just about any genre. Some of my most admired authors include, Carlos Ruiz Zafon, Silas House, Donna Tartt, Dean Koontz, John Grisham, Fiona Davis, Michael Koryta, Don Winslow, Alix E. Harrow, Lisa Scottoline…oh how I could go on! 📚 I relish attending author events and the annual book fair. I spend a great deal of my time reading, researching, collecting, organizing, and talking about books. Notice I said “collecting” books. 😉 My husband calls me a book hoarder, but I prefer the term “collector.” 🤓

My four-legged kid, Nikolette, is a huge part of my life; therefore, she’s a big part of my reading activities. (Her name is a nod to Nikola Tesla.) She’s always hanging out with me while I’m living my bookish lifestyle I call paradise. 🏝 Her most cherished place to read is my library. She loves to snuggle up in the big chair where we’re surrounded by the comfort of books and she can watch the birds out the windows. Don’t be surprised to see her write an occasional blog post from time to time. She has some pretty cool thoughts to share. 🐾

I’m also committed to my personal growth. I have a daily ritual of meditation, yoga, and a nature walk. These activities are essential to my well being as I navigate through life and its daily stressors. A few years ago, I was exposed to Ram Dass and his spiritual teachings tied to Buddhism and Hinduism. His lessons strongly resonated with me and just made sense. I have been studying and applying these teachings through books, podcasts, and videos. 🧘🏻‍♀️📿☮️