It’s safe to say I was a late bloomer when it comes to reading. I was never a reader, ever! I didn’t even read when it was required for school.

In 2005, post Hurricane Katrina, I relocated about 4 hours away from my immediate family and friends. I found myself to be very bored and lonely at times. The Da Vinci Code was all a buzz, so I figured I would try to read it and see what all the fuss was about. I read the first chapter, reread the first chapter, put it down, and never picked it up again. A coworker recommended Angels and Demons, another Dan Brown novel. I thought to myself, “I couldn’t get through the first chapter of the other book, so why would I try another one?” However, he insisted that I would love the book, so I made the extremely skeptical attempt to read it. It took me about a month, but I read it and I loved it. I was so proud of myself for reading a book.

In 2007, I returned back to the New Orleans area. One day my sister, an avid reader who read Gone with the Wind at the age of 3, said to me, “hey, I just read this book and I think you will love it.” I replied, “no thank you, I read a book last year.” I mean it was nice and all but really, I had better things to do with my time. As time went on, she pestered me about reading this darn book. Finally, bored one day, I picked up this book. I read it. I READ ANOTHER BOOK!! It was so good. It was a series and I NEEDED to know what was going to happen! That book, that book that changed my outlook on reading forever, was TWILIGHT!

At the time, only the first 2 books were available. Well what was I supposed to do?? I went into a B. Dalton Bookstore in the local mall (Borders and Barnes and Noble were too intimidating at the time). I found another YA Supernatural series to read. I bought 1 book every week until I caught up with that series. I would just stand at the YA New Release section and pick out whatever caught my eye. I was too intimidated to even venture further into the store. I was afraid to try anything different. What if I didn’t like it? Would I be discouraged and not want to read anymore? But, did I want to only read books about Vampires, Werewolves, and other supernatural and paranormal beings?

Through like minded friends, recommendations, and social media, I was able to slowly broaden my reading interests. Although I still enjoy a vampire here and there, my go to genre is now Mystery and Suspense, primarily Cozy Mysteries. I owe a lot of gratitude to Ellen Byron, author and friend, for introducing me to this amazing genre. I also enjoy Historical Fiction and Chick Lit. I don’t mind a nice Romance, as long as the romance doesn’t go beyond PG13.

So here I am, 12 years and about 600 books later, blogging about the books I read and how much reading has changed my life. I think its safe to say, I have discovered a passion in reading. Reading has pulled me out a few very dark places and times in my adult life. I read to be entertained and to escape the everyday trials of the real world.

Thank you all for participating in this page and helping me share my passion with you.