I already believed in the power of books, just for the record.
But when I asked you to share your own stories of how books have influenced your life, the answers made me believe it even more.
Take Joanne's lovely story, for instance:
When I entered 7th grade, the school librarian introduced me to Andre Norton's "Storm Over Warlock" which opened both the worlds of Science Fiction and Fantasy to a life-long love. Fast forward to 1985 and this love introduced me to the man who would become my husband and the love of my life.
Stefanie has two life-changing books, one fiction and one nonfiction:
Sabriel by Garth Nix was that book for me. I first found it in my school library in 7th grade, and now I own copies I had the author sign at a meet and greet. It was the first strong female-led fantasy I had read, which I feel was a bit rarer back in 2001 lol. It was such an important read at that pivotal time in youth to read about this young woman who could go off on her own and take care of herself. It remains my most recommended book, as well as the one I've read the most times.
The non-fiction book that changed my life was Isaac's Storm. I also read this in 7th grade oddly enough, although it was a required read for my Texas History class. This book was about the hurricane that struck Galveston in 1900. I'm a meteorologist now with a special interest in hurricane forecasting :D
Interesting that Joanne and Stefanie were both in seventh grade when their life-changing books found them.
(Maybe that's the year that books can really get under our skin? Quick! What did you read in seventh grade that made you what you are today?)
Deb shared a memory that has nothing to do with seventh grade but really resonated with me: that a book, The Winning Hand by Nora Roberts, is a go-to re-read "whenever I need hope."
That's one of the most important emotions, I think. Hope can bring us through hard times.
Fingers crossed that you too have a book that increases your store of hope when you really need it.
📚🌟📚🌟📚
More cool & bookish things
If you've been here for a while, you know I've been devouring Vela Roth's Blood Grace series about the daughter of a terrible king and the diplomat vampire who falls for her.
I'm not at all surprised that this epic fantasy with irresistible fated mates + star-crossed lovers feels, immersive worldbuilding, a big cast of characters to adore and despise, and a powerful message about being true to yourself went viral.
(Also, the covers. Gorgeous.)
So heads up to all of you who love this type of fantasy too: The latest book is out. I don't want to say too much about Blood Gift because spoilers, but it has something fans have been eagerly awaiting.
A great time to start the series, with this one there like a, you know, gift.
And speaking of gifts: Two enemies fall for each other on a battlefield, a bumbling witch ensnares a centuries-old vampire, a castoff princess faces a dangerous temptation ... get all of those and more in this giveaway.
You made it to the end! You're awesome. (Of course.) And oh hey, here are my latest books.
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