Battle of the Bookstores

by Ali Brady

Reading is escape, and the opposite of escape; it’s a way to make contact with reality after a day of making things up, and it’s a way of making contact with someone else’s imagination after a day that’s all too real. —Nora Ephron

It’s about being willing to be vulnerable, to dig deep, to confront your shadows, embrace your own story, and become a stronger, braver version of yourself. It’s not about the happy ending—it’s about believing that you’re worthy of one.

I am the product of every book I’ve ever read and every experience I’ve had, each heartbreak and failure, every moment of sadness and joy. The people I’ve met and the characters I’ve encountered, the events that challenged me and the narratives that have stretched me—all this is inscribed on my soul. They are the stories that shape who I am today and give me the strength to reach for more.

“You’re reading my favorite books?” “Well, yeah. Someone told me it’s the best way to get to know a person.”