Happy 16th, Aleesha!

Dear Aleesha,

At 16 you already own whole galaxies built from paper and ink. May the plots ahead surprise you, the characters inspire you, and every page smell like possibility. Happy birthday, storyteller.

16 Bookish Quotes for 16 Candles

• “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.” — George R. R. Martin
• “Books are a uniquely portable magic.” — Stephen King
• “She read books as one would breathe air.” — Annie Dillard
• “I have lived a thousand lives and I’ve loved a thousand loves.” — George R. R. Martin

…and a library of others waiting for you.

Margins of Dreams

• Dog-ear the moments that make you smile.
• Underline your doubts—then write the answers next to them.
• Never skip the prologue of a sunrise.
• Trade happy endings for brave beginnings.
• Remember: every author was once just a reader who decided to try.

The pen is in your hand—write wildly.