We’ll soon be gathering with family for the holidays—people who have known me since I was a child, back when I was simply a kid who loved to read.
That love grew when I accepted a position at a library many years ago. Whenever someone asked why books mattered so much to me, my answer was always simple: I loved them. I’d explain how my mom took my siblings and me to the library, where we eagerly participated in the summer reading program. Those early visits planted something lasting.
The best part of that library job was being surrounded by books every single day—reading, helping others find their next favorite story, and listening as people shared what moved them most about what they were reading. It didn’t take long to realize how much we all have in common, even when our lives look different on the surface.
Fast forward a few years, and one of my very first reviews on this blog was about a wonderful book centered on a bookstore owner. The description hooked me immediately, especially the motto: “No Man Is an Island; Every Book Is a World.”
And it’s true—books connect us.
Around that same time, an author asked me to read and review a thriller he had published. Afterward, we talked at length about the story, especially the choices the main character made. I found myself deeply engaged, asking questions, thinking beyond the final page.
Then something frightening happened.
We had a flood.
As the emergency unfolded, my thoughts kept returning to the library and what this might mean for its collection. Our building sits east of the creek bed, and when the creek overflowed, sandbagging began—but the water rose so quickly. Thankfully, many of the books were moved to safety as a precaution, but the uncertainty was overwhelming.
In the midst of all that chaos, I received unexpected news: I had won a book raffle. My name—along with nine others—had been selected to receive a free autographed book, soon to arrive on my doorstep. It felt like a small, beautiful reminder of why books matter so much to me.
That moment led me to join a book club and several online groups, where I connected with fellow readers—bloggers, educators, librarians, publishers, reviewers, and booksellers. People who, like me, believe in the power of story.
These days, I receive many ebooks to read and review. But I still find myself sitting on the floor of old bookstores, wandering library stacks, flipping through pages while responding to book club messages or jotting down notes about future reads.
My Email Address lorisbookloft@gmail.com