Occupation: As of a year ago, I am “The Book Lady” — also known as the owner of Turning The Page, an indie bookstore just down the road on Route 25 in Monroe. Prior to that, I read, learned, and laughed with Newtown’s fifth and sixth graders as the library media specialist at Reed Intermediate School.

Family: D.J. Ledina and I married just over 22 years ago, and we have two great kids — Ethan is 19, and Anika is 16.

Pets: We have had many family pets over the years, but our current roster of furry friends includes Arya (a 5-year-old black cat whose nickname is “the void”), Oscar (a 3-year-old Maltese shih-tsu therapy dog), and Winslow (a 7-month-old yellow lab who is training to be an Exceptional Sidekick Service Dog).

How long have you lived in Newtown? We have lived here for 21 years.

What do you like to do in your free time? One thing that I have learned in my first year as a small business owner is that there really is no such thing as “free time.” But, if there were such a thing, I love to read, walk the dogs with my family, enjoy the beach and the outdoors, and listen to/play music.

Do you have a favorite book or author? That is like asking me which of my kids is my favorite, especially since much of my personal reading is #kidlit! I’m going to have to take the fifth on this one. I will say that I adore Tony DiTerlizzi, the author/illustrator of The Spiderwick Chronicles, as much for his kindness and humor as his writing and illustrative talents.

What is your favorite travel destination? Anywhere there is water — beach, lake, waterfalls, you name it, I’m there.

Who or what has been the greatest influence in your life? I would have to say my parents have been the greatest influence on my life. They are both teachers, and my mom went on to become a true library media specialist, and she inspired me to do the same. I have always been impressed by their intelligence, and the way that they live their lives — they are such incredibly good people and while we don’t always agree, they raised me with a rock solid foundation that I come back to again and again. I am so very grateful that I can rely on their counsel.

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? Right now, I would love to spend the day with Jason Reynolds, the author and activist who currently also holds the title of National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature for 2020 and 2021. He is an incredible, talented, and passionate person, and I would love to simply be able to be near him and talk with him for a day about everything — books, his life, what inspires him, what’s happening in our society today, and so on.

Who is your favorite musical artist? I should say my husband, who is a really good (and funny) ukulele player, but I’m thinking I’ll have to go with James Taylor for older artist and Imagine Dragons for a more current artist.

Do you have a favorite TV show? The West Wing. I watch it every night before bed!

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? My Dad always says, “Location, location, location.” When he first said it to me, it was in the context of buying our house, when we were looking in Newtown. I find, though, that it goes well beyond that: It applies to everything. For me, the phrase has morphed into being in the right place at the right time.

What is something you cannot live without? Pasta. Also, my family.

What is your proudest accomplishment? This one is deep. I am most proud of getting back up again. In the years after the tragedy, my role as the library media specialist at Reed was difficult because it is impossible to effectively guide children in book selection without knowing them through creating relationships and building trust; through this, many kiddos shared their stories with me, and that (and my workload) took its toll, leading to secondary trauma, anxiety, and depression. Over time, it became too much and I got to a really dark place. Even the joy of doing what I loved with beautiful children who needed me wasn’t enough. I needed to walk away from what I thought was my dream job in my hometown in order to save my life, and I did it. And with the help of my husband, kids, family, and friends, I found a new challenge that has brought me more joy than I knew was possible. I now own an indie children’s bookshop, where I can do what I love for everyone. It is hard, but it is mine. I got back up.

How can Newtown improve? There’s a little story that talks about someone who has fallen into a hole, and is calling for help. Two people walk by, throwing things down to the person in the hole to “help.” A third person walks by, actually jumps into the hole with the person, and the person exclaims, “Now we’re both stuck down here!” The third person says, “No, I’ve been in this hole before, I know the way out.” That’s my role now. I posted about my experiences when I was at my lowest. I shared it with my students (in kid appropriate language). I’m willing to share with anyone who needs it, because we as a town didn’t do a very good job about talking “together.” I don’t blame anyone, because no one knew what to do. But I think we need to start. The conversations we are starting to have about race in our town are incredibly important; we need to have them about mental health, as well.

What is your favorite quote? There are two quotes that are really important to me: “I wake up every morning determined both to change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning the day a little difficult.” — E.B. White. And, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” — Maya Angelou

What organizations are you part of in Newtown? I am an outgoing board member of the Newtown High School Band Parents Corporation, and a long-term volunteer with The Exceptional Sidekick Service & Therapy Dogs.