I have loved everything to do with books and reading, since I was a little girl. In fact, my mother loved to tell the story of how, when I was five years old, she began reading me The Wizard of Oz, a few chapters at a time. Then one night when she was sick and couldn’t read to me, I picked up the book and finished it myself!

We didn’t have a lot of extra money back then, but the library was free. I still remember the awestruck feeling of putting on my prettiest dress and saddle shoes, then walking through the Rockville Public Library's large wooden doors, as I held my mom’s hand, surrounded by what felt like a sparkling galaxy of books. And I could take home any five that I wanted! It felt miraculous.

Guess what? It still feels miraculous!

In fact, I was fortunate to work in our that same library for several years during high school and college. I started as a “page,” which meant I shelved books and helped at the circulation desk. Eventually I got promoted to the children’s library—no one saw that as a "promotion" but me—and helped to run the town's summer reading program. It was such a pleasure to activate my creativity by getting children excited about one of my favorite things . . . books, and the stories we fall into.

I also remember my first time in the expansive library at Southern Connecticut State University back in 1978. When I tentatively asked the librarian at the massive front desk how many books I could check out, I vividly recall my feeling of ecstasy when she shrugged and said, “No limit.”

NO LIMIT? I was bubbling over with joy!

I took her up on that offer, believe me! I spent hours in that library, combing the shelves for books about my passion for early childhood education, gifted education, spirituality, music, children’s literature, writing, and of course- new fiction.

It was especially difficult during the beginning months of the pandemic in 2020 because all of the libraries were closed. I realized I had been taking our public libraries for granted, and hope to never do that again.

Do you have a favorite library? A favorite librarian who made a difference in your life? I’d love to know.

🏆 January Give-Away Winners 🏆

a paperback copy of JoJo Moyes' Still Me:

Cynthia from Oregon

Karen from Florida

This month I'm giving away TWO paperback copies of Ellie and the Harp Maker, by Hazel Prior. I fell in love right away with Ellie, an Exmoor housewife who answers her soul's calling to be making music, and Dan, a lonely but wise harp maker. The supporting characters are also admirable and real (except for Ellie's smarmy husband Clive), including Phineas the Pheasant. There is much in this remarkable book about friendship, following one's inner guidance, and the power of music.

If you want to enter, just fill out the short form here and I'll do a random drawing THIS SATURDAY February 12. I'll send you an email notice that you've won, and I'll just ask for your snail mail address after that! (NOTE: I use the random generator at random.org to choose the winners so it's all fair and square.)

Greetings! Thank you for reading my author newsletter and for your commitment to reading stories that serve your heart and soul.

Well, I searched high and low for a photo of me reading a book, but I couldn't find one (probably because when I'm reading, no one else is around to take a picture!), so here is my SoulCollage® card for the part of me who loves to read.

In between newsletters, I'll be posting more often on Instagram, my blog, and/or my Facebook Author page, so I hope you'll visit me there too.

Wishing you a book-filled February,