1. Ashley’s Book Biography

2. Easy Readers The Pokey Little Puppy was the first book I recall my parents reading to me. Though the one I started reading on my own was Ten Apples Up On Top. My mom would buy me the I Can Read All By Myself beginner books in bulk through the mail. I distinctly remember our first shipment like it happened yesterday! My mother waited for me to get out of school so that we could open the large box together. It had 50+ books inside!

3. Green Eggs and Ham Green Eggs and Ham changed my life! Sometimes things that look icky are actually quite delicious, and we should be open to try new things. I was like Sam I Am to my dad when we went out for sushi. It took a lot of convincing but dad ate some for the first time and he absolutely loved it! He said, “I’ve gone 50 years without eating this!” But it’s never too late to try new things!

4. Juvenile Favorites I was also a huge fan of the Bunnicula series. This probably contributed to my love for horror at an early age; but these books are quite campy! I named one of my cats after my favorite sarcastic feline, Chester. Animorphs were good too. But honestly, the only thing I remember about them was flipping quickly through the pages so I can see the little transformation at the bottom.

5. The Dark Years of the Teenager Begins! As a teen, I enjoyed classics in both juveniles and adults. Peter Pan is still one of my favorite stories as well as Treasure Island. You gotta love a great adventure tale! I also continued to love horror books but at a more mature level. Honestly, I read novels that were probably way too mature for me such as the Anne Rice vampire chronicles and the Anita Blake vampire hunter series. I wouldn’t read those books today; they would make me blush!

6. And now! Presently, my taste has changed but not by too much. I like Clive Barker and Stephen King, but I’m actually partial to his son’s works who goes by the pen name of Joe Hill. His graphic novel series Locke & Key was outstanding! And I was also a fan of Horns (but not the movie).

7. Of course I enjoy books aside from the horror genre. Sometimes you just need to breathe and enjoy a story that will make you feel wonderful and blow your mind. Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist is among my top favorites. I also took a great liking in books from animals’ perspectives such as The Art of Racing in the Rain. I just love Enzo!

8. If I had to choose just one ultimate favorite book it would be Watership Down. I love every single book by Richard Adams, but the Watership rabbits will always hold a special place in my heart, especially that wise-cracking Bigwig! I have a special edition that contains a lot of beautiful illustrations! This image, though, is just a really cool fan-art piece I found online. The noble looking chum in the center is Bigwig. You see his awesome hairstyle?