What are you reading?

I can't wait to get started on "The Joy Luck Club." I just read a chapter out loud for Hawai'i's Big Read Project and liked it so much I checked it out of the library. I'm also reading a book — it's probably the second or third time I've read it — "Make Life An Adventure" by Marcus Bach. . . . I love reading inspirational, spiritually based books, because I think they definitely give you real insight into leading a meaningful life.

What about "The Joy Luck Club" made you check it out right away?

It is a fun book with a great sense of humor, great sensitivity that tugs at your emotions, and I'm amazed how you can be reading and all of a sudden the words get right in your body and manipulate your emotions. It surprises you sometimes — you don't even know it's coming. It's personal with a book; it's you and the book and you have to visualize it, so you become a part of the book also. The reader and the book become one.

How does your own reading help you keep inspiring people to transform their lives?

I love reading because this is a great reminder of how life is supposed to be lived. The thing with children's books is that you have to read them to kids over and over and over again so the message really saturates their little brains, so it impacts them in a way they never, ever, ever forget. And they aren't just children's books — parents become better parents, they become stronger families because of reading together. That's why I promote reading aloud — that can change the world. Books are really, really incredible.

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