Book  and craft 

On AsK Win today (Monday, January 15, 2018), Best-Selling Author, Win C welcomes Caroline Donahue. Caroline is here for the readers, those of us who often want to hide at home, living our lives through those magical pages. Because we think that’s all we’ll ever get to have. What Caroline have learned is that books are a map, not just an escape. Literacy is as important as creativity, to flip Sir Ken Robinson’s quote. And creativity is very, very important. Caroline is the Book Dr. Ever since Caroline was a little girl, books have been as important as food, clothing, and shelter. In many ways they have been all three. As an introvert, reading has been Caroline’s home ever since she can remember. The overstimulating outside world was often easier to discover first through a book and as soon as Caroline could read, it was her main occupation. Caroline spent afternoons perched in the crook of a tree branch, reading while waiting for a friend to come sleep over. Caroline pulled her first all-nighter to finish a book in third grade. The Bridge to Terebithia just wouldn’t wait. Perhaps the insomnia Caroline have had since she was fifteen was just a gift to allow me to get more time reading. Caroline’s work is for the readers out there. For those of you who had as many friends inside of pages as outside. If you were like Caroline, trapped behind bifocals and an eye patch in first grade, there may have been more friends like Nancy Drew and Charlotte and Wilbur than there were in school. We all have a favorite story. You know the one- the one you return to over and over. Life got easier as Caroline got older. Caroline found theater and another way to dive into a story. Caroline fell in love with films that she connected to as much as books. In college, Caroline studied art history and literature. Caroline read and read and stared at beautiful paintings until she understood their stories. Then Caroline went on to a masters in psychology and expressive arts. Caroline learned there that we are shaping beings that crave a through-line. That we live life and find its meaning through the story we tell ourselves about who we are. Caroline took this further as she went to photography school and put them together working in creative fields in Los Angeles. Caroline worked in galleries and a beautiful bookshop that stole her heart and for a literary journal that Caroline wish had put out many more issues than it could. Caroline watched the stories unfold in the city that sets the tone, in many ways, for the stories that the world sees. Caroline believe that if we don’t look further than reality TV and blockbuster films and magazines, then those are the only stories we get to consider. Caroline believe reading and engaging with the power of story is the way to a bigger and more beautiful life. Curiosity is what opens us up to more. As soon as we ask why things have to be a certain way, there is a chance for them to change. This is when we learn where the map is leading us. Welcome to Caroline’s refuge, where every bookshelf has a rolling ladder attached and there are comfortable armchairs by fireplaces in every corner, complete with hot cups of tea and slippers with a cashmere blanket folded over the arm. Have a seat. Caroline have been waiting for you. Let’s start looking at your story. Where do you want to go next? To learn more about Caroline visit http://carolinedonahue.com. To learn more about Win Kelly Charles visit http://wincharles.weebly.com/. To follow Win on Twitter go to @winkellycharles. To follow Win on Instagram go to winkcharles. To follow Win on Snapchat go to Wcharles422. To follow Win on Snapchat go to Wcharles422. To see Win's art go to https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/2-win-charles.html. Interview with Mel Marton: http://traffic.libsyn.com/winwisdom/LAF3494_08172017150526412_1189015.mp3. "Books for Books," you buy Win's book