Hello everyone! My name is Valerie or Val for short. My book journey stemmed from a genuine love of reading that was nurtured from a young age, by everything from exciting library visits to story time before bed every night. To me, books are more than just a pastime: they are an outlet to escape the harsh realities of life and explore new worlds and perspectives. I have gotten to learn about countless different cultures and circumstances that I might never experience if it weren’t for books. Story after story, my sense of empathy and understanding for those around me has strengthened, educating me in countless ways, from life lessons, to historical context, and more.

As I began building my personal bond with books, I also wanted to share the gift of reading with my fellow peers and educators around me! With that goal in mind, I started Read With Val in the summer of 2020 and have been pretty busy ever since! Through my book talks, I share my recent favorite books of all genres and backgrounds. Furthermore, I also love sharing broader content related to books, including everything from trips to bookstores and libraries around the world to giving book gift ideas, and more.

In addition to reading, I also love playing basketball and currently play for GTS Fusion, an AAU team. Basketball has allowed me to chase my passion while also creating life long lasting friendships with my teammates. Alongside reading and basketball, I also love spending time with my family and friends.