Since I started Peace Corps I have started reading as much as I possible can for several reasons. Mainly because it has gotten to be one of my biggest forms of self-care and ways to escape my anxiety. I was reading so much that I was going through so many books that I started to reach out for new reads, that was when I found out about Rainbow Rowell and her amazing writing. I had never heard of her before, but let me tell you that she pulls you directly into the world that she created and become apart of the world.

So far I have read two of her books and cannot wait to read the other three. First I read Elanor and Park than I read Fan Girl. Both books are very different but her writing is very evident in each and each story carries beautifully. I was so hooked to each book more than I have ever been hooked to a book before.

Now let me take you through each story really quickly so I can explain to you the hidden gem that Rainbow Rowell is.

Let's begin with Eleanor and Park, as its the first book I read, and probably the book that I connect most to. I read the book at a really hard time in my service, and I probably shouldn't have read it then but I did and it really hit home. The story is about two high school students who fall in love. It is a very unlikely love story that no one would ever expect, but it happens and it's beautiful. Eleanor reminds herself of me in so many ways. She identifies as plus size, she has a very unique style and a complicated home life. All things I had and was while growing up. Elanor found her person and fell completely in love despite her desire not to love him.

I also read Fan Girl, another Rainbow Rowell novel. The story is about a girl who moves to University with her twin sister, but they are not sharing a room for the first time in their entire lives. Cath writes fan fiction about Simon and Baz, a story that reminds me of Harry Potter. Cath is also a highly anxious, somehow anti social, introvert. I really only relate to her anxiety and her close relationship to her dad. This story is a beautiful depiction of what it's like to begin university and the struggles that people go through being away from home for the very first time.

What I really want people to realize about Rainbow Rowell's writing how easily she puts you into her stories. You become that invisible character that Rainbow Rowell didn't mean to write but only hoped that she'd created. If you were like me and didn't want know about this incredible author do yourself, and me, a favor and read one of her books. You won't be disappointed.