Books have always been an important part of my life. I was raised in a family of readers. My mother could read faster than ever seemed possible, easily finishing three to four books on her days off from work. Growing up, I’d go to the library with her at least once a week, and we’d both leave with our arms so full of books that we’d struggle to get them back to the car without dropping them all.
Historical non-fiction, particularly books about the Civil War and World War II, are my father’s favorite genres. His house is filled with high stacks of books, floor to ceiling, so precarious that you’re almost afraid to walk past them out of fear that they’ll come tumbling down.
My brother and sister-in-law are also avid readers, as are most of my closest friends. Early in my relationship with my boyfriend, Ian, we bonded over comic books. We have a standing date every week to take a trip to our favorite local comic book shop, and I eagerly look forward to it every week.
Anywhere I go, I have at least one book tossed in my purse, not to mention my Kindle. So much of my time is spent reading, researching books, organizing my bookshelf, following my favorite authors, searching through dusty used bookstores, and talking about books, so I wanted a place to expand my thoughts through an online format. Hence, Read Yourself Happy.
My goal for this blog is to share reviews of books as I finish them, as well as book recommendations, new releases, information about authors and publishing news, book porn, and so much more bookish content. Occasionally I’ll also include content relating to how to live your happiest bookish life. Books have been proven to make us happier, allowing us to, at least temporarily, escape our ordinary lives into any number of extraordinary settings.
I feel the need to add a disclaimer. Everyone has vastly different tastes in books. If I give a bad review to a book or writer that you love, please know that it is never my intention to offend or upset anyone.
To get to know me a little better, here is some additional reading: