I’m Hana and I love sincere, introspective stories about people finding their place in the world. I am also all about fantasy realms, particularly ones rooted in mythology and fairy tales.
What’s the first book you remember?
It’s a toss-up between two. The first is Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, a lovely picture book that connects my mom and me to this day. The second is Stellaluna by Janell Cannon, which may have been an early indicator of my love of bats.
What five desert island books would you choose?
This is such a difficult question. When thinking about which books I would never want to be without, I realized the titles I came up with all fit the same criteria:
1. Each was formative for me in one way or another.
2. I have reread them all multiple times.
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
The first book I remember having a truly independent connective reading experience with at age eleven. It has been my favorite book ever since. My childhood copy goes with me on every trip I take, whether it’s one night in Seattle or three weeks overseas.
Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel
The first book I loved that I remember discovering on my own in the library. It also made me aware of how much I loved bats.
Bloomability by Sharon Creech
The first book I felt seen by. It’s not that I related so much to the character’s actual story, but I read Bloomability at thirteen and connected with Dinnie in the sense that she was also an early teen and everything in her world was confusing.
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien
The first book I was fully engrossed by and raced through to find out what happens.
Fire Bringer by David Clement-Davies
The first thick, chunky book I read on my own and it felt like such an accomplishment. I also loved animal stories but this one was darker and felt more grown up.
Where is your favorite spot to read?
My favorite reading spots are weather depending. On a beautifully cold, rainy day, I love to be on my comfy couch with a cozy blanket and hot cup of tea. On a warm and sunny day, laid out in a comfortable folding chair on the grass in the sunshine is perfect to me.
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