I am a born traveler. My very first photo, snapped at the hospital shortly after my birth, became my first passport photo. I boarded my first international flight shortly thereafter, and I have been traveling ever since. To date, I have visited 4 continents, 24 countries outside of the USA, and 31 states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. My very patient husband jokes that I always start planning the next trip on the flight home (sometimes I actually start before that!). I think the planning is half the fun. Some of my favorite travel memories include family trips with my daughter and husband to Aspen, our honeymoon in Rome, Christmas with my parents in London, our little family's favorite beach trip to Puerto Rico, and my first solo adventure to Big Sky, Montana. I am also an avid reader, reading more than 100 books every year and currently working my way through the Boxall 1001 Books to Read Before You Die list. I come by my love of books naturally. I was raised by a librar
As we approach the winter solstice – the shortest day of the year – on December 21, I thought it would be fun to feature some shorter works (essays, short stories, and one poetry recommendation). I find that shorter works are perfect for this time of year where the days are short and time between holiday demands is fleeting. Two of these recommendations are great on audio, so they may be the perfect selections to enjoy while wrapping presents or driving to visit family. One of these is pretty darn quirky, and I’m also including a collection of poetry, so if 2024 seems like a good time to branch out of your reading comfort zone, I have you covered. I am also featuring a guest blog review from my 10-year-old daughter who has a book suggestion for this category. Happy reading! The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is perfect for you mystery lovers who are looking for something appropriately sized for one sitting. I know a good thriller can suck me away from the wo