All Pride, No Ego

2Be a Lifelong Learner and Stay Constantly Curious

I think the first gift I remember as a child was a Dr. Seuss book. I was obsessed with reading from a very young age and continue to read daily now. I tried e‐readers, but I love the feel and smell and visceral reaction I have to a physical book. I always look for independent bookstores when I travel … I enjoy the sense of wonder and discovery. I also love the smells, the light, and the history of old bookstores. I will read books, magazines, newspapers, and any other form of written knowledge. I devoured The Hardy Boys series, Nancy Drew, and Agatha Christie mysteries as a kid, and now enjoy historical fiction, espionage thrillers, and contemporary novels. I also delight in self‐help books and “business” books, and always try to digest learnings from biographies and autobiographies of interesting people. I was blessed to be born into an extended family of readers. Everyone in my family was always carrying around some type of book. My paternal grandmother read every day until her death at 101. Both of my grandfathers were incredible storytellers. My maternal grandfather even came outfitted with props for his stories. Some of my fondest memories with him revolve around Dillinger the Pig and his adventure, which Grandpa told with small pewter figurines he had procured. When we gathered for family dinners, the discussion always included current events, neighborhood gossip, and a review of your current book selections. I think ...