Heather Feeler adores a good story. She also enjoys writing, hiking, laughing and hanging out with her secretly incredible family.

DID YOU READ AS A KID?

I always had my nose in a book. My mom would call my name over and over again from the other room, but I wouldn’t even hear her. I was lost in the world of someone elses imagination. Who has time for dishes when you’re about to solve a 100-year-old mystery? That was most of my childhood. My mother was a saint.

FICTION OR NONFICTION?

I love them both! I’m often drawn to memoirs because I’m fascinated by people’s lives and how their journey has been shaped by struggles. But fiction allows you to dive into a whole different world, maybe one you’ve never imagined. Although
people seem to love the ending of books, I’m always drawn in by the first line. I can’t tell you how many amazing first lines I
wish I had written.

WHICH BOOKS HAVE HAD THE MOST IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE?

Growing up, “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros, changed how I looked at writing. She is a poet and her words were different than anything I had read. I’m also in love with the book “Love Does” by Bob Goff. Goff lives a life full of whimsy, adventure and love in action. He encourages us all to be secretly incredible. One of my favorite lines is: “I used to be afraid of failing at something that really mattered to me, but now I’m more afraid of succeeding at things that don’t matter.”

WHAT ARE YOU READING RIGHT NOW?

I just started reading “Furiously Happy” by Jenny Lawson. She’s got a wicked sense of humor. She wrote a hysterical book called “Let’s Pretend This Never Happened” and I laughed so hard at certain parts that I was snorting. Be warned if you decide to read her books in public. She takes crazy to a whole new level.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE BEDTIME STORY YOU READ TO YOUR KIDS?

One of my favorite children’s book authors is Berkeley Breathed. He wrote a book called “Pete & Pickles” about a unique friendship between a perfectly predictable pig and an outrageous circus elephant. We can be vastly different on the outside and still love each other, especially if we dig deeper to see someone’s heart. Friendship can be a beautiful thing. I always want my kids to remember that.

Heather Feeler is communications manager with the Missouri Department of Conservation. In addition to her love of books, she can be found exploring nature including the trails at Runge Nature Center and other wild conservation areas around the state. She lives in Jefferson City with her husband, Jeff, and her two active outdoor kids, Cooper and Tuck.

From the shelves of Missouri River Regional Library. Selections made by Madeline Matson, reference and adult programming librarian.