Hey, I'm Alessia. Calgary, Alberta, is where I'm from, but I landed in Saskatoon in 2014 for school, and somehow, it convinced me to stick around. Right now, I'm diving into the practical side of things, wrapping up my Master in Psychology. The dream? To be a psychologist one day! Now, you might wonder, what's psychology got to do with books? Well, not a lot, but here's the twist—it's my true passion project.

When you start something new, no matter what it is, understanding your WHY is key. Knowing why you do something not only helps you showcase the passion and drive in your industry or community but also makes the journey fulfilling for you. So, let me take you back to why books mean the world to me.

It all began with my dad, a real book enthusiast and collector. As a kid, I wasn't a fan of reading, blaming it on those forced book reports, dull textbooks, and the books school made me read. Everything changed two months after Dad passed away in 2017, specifically during our time in Kona in August of that year.

I realized I didn't hate books; I just never read for fun. Pleasure reading clicked for me on the Hawaiian sand beaches, even though reading with a purpose, especially with ADHD, still has its challenges.

My dad is my driving force, but my WHY is also tied to my love for community and connection. I'm a chatterbox who loves talking about books and feeling part of a community. But it's tough when you're starting from Alberta. I wanted to be part of something I love doing. Regular book clubs are cool, but not everyone's into that. So, introducing virtual book clubs – a non-committal option. What sets us apart? We're a silent book club chapter, and we love it. The community truly is my WHY.

Lastly, books. I adore them. Sometimes, people forget how vital books are to our culture and history. We're so glued to phones and tech that picking up a book seems like a thing of the past. I get it – why read a textbook when you can watch a YouTube video? But I don't want to diminish the value of knowledge that books offer. Used bookstores are fantastic, but they sometimes make me sad. So many books need new homes, even if they aren't brand new or in perfect condition. It's crucial to build love and appreciation for already printed and used books. That's where most of my ideas resonate – how to do this without becoming a big store or owning one.

And here we are – that's my WHY.