I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t into reading. While Afton spent a lot of time with friends and participating in after-school activities, I was the dork who disappeared behind a book. I remember being a sucker for those cheesy princess books (you know, the one’s that came with the little plastic sparkly ring?) at the school book fairs, and over-indulged in Goosebumps, even though they gave me nightmares. But for some reason, I don’t remember feeling hungry for more until

When Stevie and I were young we always looked forward to my parents bedtime stories. I remember the colorful images they inspired perfectly in my head, still to this day. Sometimes they involved a hobbit with a golden ring overlooking a lake of fire. Other times, a majestic lion lying on an alter, an evil queen hovering over him. When the story would end, when all was dark and silent, I would lay there awake, my mind buzzing. I wanted more. I thank my parents for sparking my