Back-to-School Author Spotlight: Danica Nava & Leslie Hooton Share Their Bookish Favorites
As the school year kicks off, there's something magical about revisiting the books and stories that made us fall in love with reading in the first place. To celebrate, Sip on Stories is thrilled to feature two incredible authors in our Back-to-School Author Spotlight, and they're sharing their own nostalgic answers to fun school-themed questions.
💛 Danica Nava, author of Love Is a War Song, is our featured author for this month's Cottage Crate book subscription box, bringing a heartfelt story you'll want to curl up with again and again.
💛 Leslie Hooton, beloved local author and this month's special guest for Silent Book Club Matthews, joins us with her signature warmth and wit, reminding us why she's one of our community's favorites.
We've included their full Q&A below so you can discover the books that shaped them, the snacks that fuel their reading sessions, and maybe even get some ideas for your own fall reading list.
Whether you're heading back to school, sending little ones off with backpacks and sharpened pencils, or simply craving a cozy reading reset, these author insights are sure to inspire.
Danica Nava
Book that made me fall in love with reading: The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale and Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine were two books that opened my eyes that reading was fun and magical for girls. In school, we read about so many boys having adventures, and these two books changed everything for me!
Favorites...
Spot to read after work: I love to read in my bed, propped up by my cozy pillows with my Kindle.
Genre: Romance!
Reading snack: Popcorn
Most recent book finished: The last book I finished reading was Amy Buchanan's sophomore novel, The Best I Never Had, to blurb! It's sexy and funny!
Dream author to have as a teacher: A dream author to have as a teacher would be Meg Cabot. Her Meditator series changed my life! She is amazing.
TBR list length: My TBR list is infinite, just as I like it!
Leslie Hooton
Book that made me fall in love with reading: Emma by Jane Austen, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, To Kill A Mockingbird, Lisa Bright and Dark by John Neufeld, Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
Favorites...
Spot to read after work: My sunroom with a hot latte.
Genre: I'm a mood person, so I may want to dive into a literary book, but sometimes I'm in the mood for a dessert book that is a sweet romance that doesn't frighten me.
Reading snack: A hot latte, but I never turn down cake.
Most recent book finished: I re-read Olympus Texas by Stacey Swann and It's a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan, and Gilead again…just because.
Dream author to have as a teacher: I've had two of the best with Jill McCorkle and Tim O'Brien, but I would love to study with Anne Tyler or Jojo Moyes. I would say Marilynne Robinson, but she may be too intimidating. Her words are luscious.
TBR list length: Too long, which is just right. I never run out of anything to read.
Shop the Authors & Sip on Stories Exclusives
You can grab both authors' books directly from our Sip on Stories shop, including After Everyone Else by Leslie Hooton, Love Is a War Song, and our latest Cottage Crate subscription box, which pairs books with bookish goodies. Perfect for back-to-school teacher gifts or just treating yourself to a new story.
Your Turn!
We'd love to hear from you: What book(s) made you fall in love with reading? What's your go-to reading snack? Share your answers in the comments below. Let's start a conversation that celebrates the love of reading, no matter the season. 🍎📖
