So here's a story in 3 parts. The first two seem disconnected until they're not.

Part 1) When I was in HS my friend group was 5 guys. One had a sister a few years younger than us and one of my pure delights in life was passing her all the foundational fantasy about girls by women that I found. I gave her so many books!

Part 2) When I fall in love with a new-to-me author, I immediately chase them down on the internet and make them become my friend. I have done this to several people, notably @AlyssaColeLit and most recently @jessiemihalik.

Part 3) Every once in a while, my friend's baby sister messages me on Facebook. It's always because she picked up a book and found a "Bree" in the dedication or acknowledgements and wants to know if it's me.

It always is, even though I never rec'd that book to her.

Part 3 ctd) Because in the '90s I gave her all my formative influences, the ones that made me love the books I love, she grew up and keeps independently picking up books by authors whose work I loved so much I made them be my friends.

We still love the same books.

Anyway, this is a story about how love of books forms bonds across decades and how much power there is in the perfect book rec, and also a warning that I'm gonna maybe read your book and chase you around the internet until you agree to be my friend.