I love to learn and I love books . I like to read, however, I love books even more. Just having books around brings me comfort and joy. I like the way a new book smells. Just walking into a library or bookstore makes me sooooo happy. (Though walking out without a bag full of books makes me sad.) I know this may make me sound crazy but I can't help it!!!! It's just the way it is.

In 2006, my 14-year-old nephew Derrick was killed in an accident. I don't know if he loved books themselves as much as I did but I do know he too loved to learn and read just like his Mom and I. I can't believe that between the three of us, we had never heard of bookcrossing.com before now. But now that I have every avid reader and book lover I know will hear about it.

Every book I release will be in memory of Derrick. In his short life, he only traveled the United States but I know he wanted to see the world. He wanted to study Anthropology in college then go work in Ethiopia. I miss him so much and have been trying to find things to do to help deal with the pain of losing him. Now I can free books in his honor and watch them travel the world. It won't be the same as seeing him grow-up and I was so looking forward to that because he just had such a beautiful soul.