About Me

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Whoo…. where to begin.

 I started this adventure in writing at Book Journey about books in 2009. This site was called One Person’s Journey Through a World of Books (I know – wordy… later on, I fix this).

This strange little site to chat books is one of those things in my life that I look back on (it is January 1st, 2025, as I type this) and think how amazing it is that this silly little thing I was doing for fun – is still in my life 16 years later…still serving me in so many ways.

Through this writing on Book Journey, I first heard about the Book Expo in New York. Because of that, I took my first-ever plane trip by myself to a place I had never been and stayed with people I had only met online (I know, right?) and experienced an incredible world I never knew. I continued to go to the Book Expo every year between 2010 and 2014.

In April of 2015, I lost my youngest son (age 24) to a car accident. This is significant to acknowledge here (and you can follow those posts in the archive here) because the relationships I had built here online as well as in person through attending the Book Expo, were all so amazing during this time of my life. Together, many of you – Book Reviewers and Publishing houses alike, stepped up and raised funds to add the first bench to my local library, in memory of my son.
Words… well…. There are none.

Let me tell you – relations…connections matter, and this bench is proof every time I go to the Library of how much these posts, my sharing, all of it mattered. I will forever be grateful.

I definitely see life differently now and try to live each day to the fullest (often to the point of exhaustion) – and I’m working on that. 🙂

Since 2015, a lot has changed… COVID took out the Book Expo, and it never returned. After 2015, I believe I made it one more time to the expo (2017 or 2018).
In 2021, I became a Grandma (WHHAAATTTT?) and that is for sure a game changer in so many ways. Kylie has been a wonderful addition to our lives and has helped me with healing when I see signs of both of my sons in her.

In 2016, I took a job as an Event Coordinator and have never looked back. I finally found my wheelhouse and love planning with people and being able to create events for people to attend as well.

I have some shining moments for sure (some before 2015), and some of my all-time favorites are:
The Clue Event at the Library

Stride and Seek Fundraiser (Survivor Meets Amazing Race)

And more – but that is for another day 🙂

I live in Central Minnesota.  No, I don’t say “ayyyyy” or “you betcha”…. unless I am being sarcastic.  Which NEVER happens.  Ok.. maybe sometimes. 😉
 
I believe in Living Life To The Fullest, laughing until my sides hurt, making time for family and friends, working hard and playing hard, team sports, stretching myself to the limit, saying yes whenever I can, books that make me think and books that make me feel, if you are going for the ice cream cone – GO BIG, bucket lists, doing something new each day, believing in your dreams, reading in the sunshine, playing in the rain, the magical powers of CHOCOLATE, finding the opportunities in everything, learning something new, and making memories every chance I can.

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39 thoughts on “About Me”

  3. Hey Girl! What a fun cooincidece that we sat at Table 7, then ran into each other at the Shipping department and you know my cousin! Can’t wait to catch up on your blog. Stay in touch!

    Julz

    Reply

  6. Hi, Sheila;

    I’m Laurie. I have a new book blog, and am wondering if the It’s Monday link list is by invitation, or if anyone can join it. My blog has been going less than a month, although I’ve been review books on Amazon, Good Reads and Library thing for several years now.

    Thanks!

    Reply

  7. Hi Sheila, I came across your blog from Shelleyrae over at Book’d Out as I wanted to check out the It’s Monday what are you reading meme which looks like fun! . I have a new book review blog if you get a chance to come over and take a look. http://daystarz.wordpress.com
    Cheers from Australia -Jennie

    Reply

  10. Thanks for stopping by and liking my post ‘The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult’. You have an awesome blog here. I found your privacy policy interesting. I never thought to have one, since I have (to my knowledge) absolutely no control over what info is collected, where it is stored etc.

    Reply

    1. Thanks! I couldnt find a place to comment on your post but I really enjoyed The Tenth Circle when I read it. I made the review policy after other book bloggers who were more established than me a few years back said it was important. Its always nice to fall back on when you are offered a book that is really out of your genre like, or if you are being pressured about when you are going to read a specific book 😀

      Reply

  11. Hi Sheila! I just found your blog today and have enjoyed reading some of your posts. I love the idea of your Monday what are you reading posts – what a great way to discover new books! Tamara

    Reply

  12. Hi Sheila, just found your blog today, and it appears you have been around for awhile with that many followers. this winter was the opportunity to read many books, here in central MN also, closer to St. cloud.

    Reply

  27. I love reading your blog. Have you ever thought about featuring a multitouch iBook? I think multitouch ibooks are an important topic for discussion as they are still relatively new and their storytelling potential hasn’t been fully explored yet. You can check out the book trailer for my multitouch iBook athe Sword of Air now available on the iBooks store at. Sword of Air Book Trailer – YouTube
    Video for youtube sword of air► 1:54► 1:54
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNHf2nCW7nc
    I would love to hear your thoughts and hope you drop by my site http://www.swordofair.net soon. Take care. Rae.

    Reply
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  31. Sheila – When I didn’t see you on the blog for several days I was concerned. I went searching and found the tragic news on Facebook which I do not use that much. I am not a friend with you there so I can not express my deepest sympathies. I cannot imagine your pain. My heart and prayers are with you and your family. I wish I could share something that could ease the pain. Perhaps you can find some comfort from some of the quotes shared on this page: https://www.pinterest.com/thecomfortco/comforting-sympathy-and-grief-quotes/

    Reply
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