The Library

Nina's books are for me what Harry Potter is for most people of my age. Nina was my childhood; she was a magical girl and a scientist at the same time, and she is one of the reasons I became a woman in STEM. My cousin and I used to send each other letters using Nina's secret alphabet. The concept of the Alchitarocchi (alchemic tarot cards that come to life and fight!!!) is still one of the coolest concepts ever created.

"When I think of what life is, and how seldom love is answered by love; it is one of the moments for which the world was made."

My mom made me watch the 1985 movie adaptation (a masterpiece, by the way, strongly recommended) when I was a teen. She told me I reminded her of Miss Honeychurch and wanted me to play the piano because she thought I had "a whole world inside" that I was "unable to express." Maybe, like Miss Honeychurch, I could have done it through music. So, she paid for piano lessons for a year, but I hated it and quit (I still regret it and feel like I failed her, but that's for another post, I guess) Anyway, I loved the movie and wanted to read the book as well. It quickly became one of my favorite books ever, and it redefined my standard of love.