"I have lived a thousand lives and I’ve loved a thousand loves. I’ve walked on distant worlds and seen the end of time. Because I read." - A famous quote by author George R.R. Martin. Sometimes, a book, a character, or a plot line, can engrain itself upon your heart and your mind. If you have read a book, truly read a book, you will carry it with you every day for the rest of your life. While a small few may do this physically, most of us carry the books we read within ourselves. The books I've read, or the lives I've led, have shaped every aspect of my life. The bravery I experienced when Ron Weasley sacrificed himself allowing Harry Potter to check the king. The ingenuity I gained when Henry, Jessie, and Violet used a river as a refrigerator. The awe I felt when Lucy discovered Narnia inside the wardrobe. The wonder I was filled with when Alice was in Wonderland. The betrayal and sadness I was filled with when Boxer was sold for slaughter in Animal Farm. These traits, these experiences, are something that I carry with me every day. The bravery it takes to pursue a dual degree in ACS Chemistry and Biology as a woman in rural Appalachia. The ingenuity it takes to find real-world solutions to complex scientific problems. The awe and wonder I feel the more I learn about science and the world. The betrayal and sadness I often feel when looking at the way people treat others. These feelings are intensified and affected by the books I've read. The books you read influence your morals and your feelings. The characters I looked up to, like Henry in the Boxcar Children, inspire me to be a better person today. Many character qualities I wish to have are inspired by characters in a book. I can learn from the mistakes of those I've read about in books, and avoid making those mistakes in my life. The lessons I have learned, and the inspiration I have gained through reading are immeasurable, and that is not even counting how enjoyable it is to get lost in a book. While some may say books are just words on a book and pictures in your head, I would say: "Of course, it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?" - Albus Dumbledore