I recently enjoyed a week’s vacation that allowed me to explore the glamour of old Hollywood, sophistication of modern-day New York, a small-town aquarium in the Pacific Northwest, and a uniquely curated shop in a charming English town outside of London. Of course, these were all through the pages of books. While I was traveling on airplanes and sitting with my feet in the sand on my family vacation, I was also experiencing different places and times, meeting interesting, beautifully complicated characters.

The unexpected story of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo captivated me and left me with gratitude for having met the strong, resilient Evelyn. A quick airport purchase before catching my flight, this was most certainly a book that “found” me. It wasn’t on my radar, but I was quickly captivated by the story of this woman’s rise through old Hollywood and the unexpected twists and turns of each new husband she acquired and the deep secret she kept hidden from the world.

The unlikely friendship of Tova, a widowed, aging woman, and Marcellus, the giant Pacific octopus, in Remarkably Bright Creatures was full of hope and the importance of connection. Tova was unlike Evelyn Hugo in nearly every way, yet I loved getting to know this simple, kind woman and felt her joy as her story unfolded.

The Peacock Emporium introduced me to Suzanna, a woman in search of her identity and purpose as she creates a beautiful small shop in a picturesque, bucolic English town. Being a bit obsessed with the idea of cobblestone streets and the English countryside, author Jo Jo Moyes transported me there wonderfully. I could smell the coffee brewing in the eccentric emporium with a view out the eclectic front window display to the charming street beyond.

This is why I love reading – the women I met through these books offer glimpses of wisdom, humor, and insight into my own life. Isn’t that the beauty of a well-written story? We see a bit of ourselves reflected as we experience new perspectives.