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 V.C. Andrews and Stephen King. I gravitated toward 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 one of my favorite authors. Today, I'll read just about any genre. Some of my most admired authors include Carlos Ruiz Zafón, Donna Tartt, Dean Koontz, John Grisham, Fiona Davis, Michael Koryta, Don Winslow, Peter Heller, Jessica Strawser... and the list goes on. I relish attending author events and book fairs, and 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."

Our four-legged kid, Nikolette (a nod to Nikola Tesla), is a huge part of my life, and therefore a big part of my reading life. She's always hanging out with me while I'm living my bookish lifestyle — I call it paradise. Her favorite reading spot is my library, where she snuggles into the big chair surrounded by books and can watch the birds outside the windows. Don't be surprised to see her write an occasional blog post — she has some pretty cool thoughts to share.

I’m also committed to personal growth. Meditation, yoga, and a daily nature walk form a ritual that is essential to my well-being as I navigate life’s stressors. A few years ago I was introduced to the teachings of Ram Dass, which draw from Buddhism and Hinduism. His lessons resonated deeply and simply made sense. I’ve continued studying and applying them through books, podcasts, and videos.

Since retiring in September 2024, my husband and I have taken up gardening. We’ve added a greenhouse and a vegetable garden to our property. I enjoy growing flowers, while he has become a cactus grower and collector. Many of my book reviews include a photo of a flower from our garden paired with the book cover. Starting in 2026, keep scrolling to the end of those posts, and you’ll often find an extra bloom waiting for you.