In 2013, I went on a date with a guy who told me his favorite book of all time was The Art of the Deal. He went on and on about what a work of genius it was and how it had changed his whole philosophy of business and made him a success. I went so far as to read it before I understood what an absolute loser he was. Lesson learned.

My third-grade teacher read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe aloud during class. I was transfixed. I devoured the rest of the series before fourth grade and my fourth-grade teacher gave me her personal copy of The Hobbit. As soon as I was done, she had to convince my mother to let me get an adult library card so I could check out the rest of the series. Nothing could stop me.

May the gods eternally bless Miss Howard and Miss Johnson for their wisdom and generosity.

Steve Martin wrote the novel Shopgirl about his (thinly disguised) relationship with my college roommate.

Steve Martin wrote the novel Shopgirl about his (thinly disguised) relationship with my college roommate.