What was the first book that made you fall in love with reading? In this nostalgic episode of The One Happy Thing Podcast, hosts Jennifer Moorman, Kerry Schafer, and Maddie Dawson share the childhood books that opened theirhearts, shaped their imaginations, and set them on the path to becoming authors themselves.

From flashlight-under-the-covers adventures to the life-changing gift of A Wrinkle in Time, the authors reflect on the stories that made them feel seen, sparked a lifelong love of reading, and still speak to them today. Along the way, they explore how early reading tastes echo in the books they now write—and how certain characters, like Jo March or Meg Murray—became lifelong companions.

Whether you were a fantasy lover, a realist, or a reader who came to books a little later, this episode will warm your heart and probably have you reaching for an old favorite.

☕ So grab something cozy (unless you’re driving!) and join us for a joy-filled conversation about the books that shaped us.