There is not much I enjoy more than a good book and a good bookstore. I’ve gotta admit this, I’ve had moments in the Fiction Aisle that I will not only never forget, but treasure. Memorable moments amidst books are precious to me.

Around words and stories, I feel more alive than almost anywhere else. When my son moved out on his own after college, we converted his room to a Library. I spend hours in that room… reading, writing, studying lines, and even napping. Words for me are comfort and discovery, adventure and romance, life and breath.

I’ve always loved a good book, a good story, a good read. I choose mostly fiction, though I’ve begun dabbling in non-fiction in recent years. And, I have a habit of reading more than one book at a time. This year, I’m reducing the number of open books. This year, there is method to my reading madness. Currently, I’m in the midst of one Audiobook, one Fiction, and one Non-Fiction. Guess I’m trying for a little more balance in my reading habits.

I was raised in a home where books were important. My mom, especially, was an avid reader. In recent years, since his retirement, my dad has also been drawn in by books. As a child, I was offered the option of reading before bed or going right to sleep. As I remember it, I could go to bed at 9:00 with lights out or go to bed at 9:00 and read til 9:30. What child wouldn’t opt for the later time? My parents were clever.

I remember my father reading to me. Mother West Wind stories were among the books he chose. He read them to my kids as well. Something about those tales and the way he shared them was comforting.

My Fourth Grade Teacher Ms. Townsend was considered a terror by most students at Cooks Corners Elementary. But, she read The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler to every one of her classes. That book now resides on my bookshelf, and I read it to both of my kids. Books transcend time and connect generations.

Growing up, there was a bookstore my parents took me to at Marshall Field’s when we’d travel in to see the windows and lights of Chicago at Christmas. There was also a small bookstore on the square of downtown Valparaiso–and a Library. No matter the space, I loved browsing the aisles and finding new tales. I recall times when I was certain I too could find my way to Oz or help Nancy Drew solve a mystery. A place with books is magical.

One of my favorite things to do when I visit my brother is to visit the used bookstore. Indy has this great option called Half Price Books–it’s a chain, actually, with numerous locations. Jeff and I have been known to visit every one on a given afternoon.

I treasure these trips to Half Price. We enter those hallowed walls and separate… we each tend to arrive with lists or ideas of categories and books we are seeking. Otherwise, I’d get lost. And, every time I leave the store, I score something special–a script from the film version of Much Ado, an Agatha Christie I haven’t read, an acclaimed author with a release I missed. And, while I’m there, I’ve been known to strike up conversations with fellow readers intent on finding that special sought after book too. We lose time in the aisles. But when Jeff and I depart the store, at least one or two books heavier, we talk through our discoveries on the way home. See, books Connect people.

With Jeff, I have found some amazing reads. We choose different types of books, but most importantly, we both treasure a good story. I introduced him to Terry Pratchett’s Hogfather, hooking him into Discworld. He pilfered my copies of C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series–returning them a decade or two later. And he introduced me to Neil Gaiman, Christopher Moore, and most recently Taylor Jenkins Reid.

It began with another one of her books, really. Daisy Jones and The Six. Jeff said it might be his “book of the year.” And that’s saying something since he, like me, reads a lot of books in any given year. I picked up a copy at Half Price and was drawn in by not only the story but by Taylor Jenkins Reid’s style of writing. I was curious what else was out there by this clever author.

And, I was answered when my niece Abby mentioned The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

I’m a sucker for a good title. I’m a sucker for good cover art or a unique font. And this one had both. But it was unavailable at Half Price, so I turned to my next resource… the Royal Oak Public Library. A few months went by before this elusive and apparently popular read became available.

I couldn’t put it down. The story drew me in and pushed me out. The crafting of the book layout fascinated me. The tale absorbed me and kept me reading late into the night. The philosophy on the pages had me taking photos of text or writing down special quotes. So many thoughts resonated with me, especially this one:

Intimacy… connection. A good book offers that. It reaches into your soul and your imagination and sparks a meaningful relationship. One you can share even after you close the book and return to the world, changed, thoughtful, and inspired. One that can continue sparking intimacy as you share discoveries, adventures, and ideas uncovered on the written pages with important people in your life. People like a good friend, a brother or sister, or your children and grandchildren. Perhaps even your 4th Grade Class.

Unlike a movie, a book relies on your imagination to create the images of the characters, the sounds of their voices, the way they dress, and the places they travel. Losing yourself in a good book invites you on an adventure to a place you’ve never been, but suddenly begins to feel familiar. And Evelyn’s story, well, I’m not offering any spoilers. But it’s a rich tale that transports you to the glamorous early days of Hollywood and shares a glimpse into the lives of its rising stars. Yet, it’s more than a fictional tale. It offers questions where the answers and how you respond/react evolves. Like the cover of a good book, it teases you, reminding you that what’s hidden inside may be more complex and messier than the cover art or font choice imply.

I’m lucky to have a brother who talks books with me. Who loves to explore bookstores and find gems within pages of cardboard and paper. Who also created his own home library that provides a special haven for him. Books like Evelyn Hugo offer philosophy as well as a means to escape. They inspire and teach.

And if you’re lucky enough to have a brother–or a friend–to explore a bookstore with, you might just find your way into the magical Land of Oz after all.