Alisa Ryan is a special education teacher with an endless love for books. For her, reading is like watching a movie play out in her mind, while writing feels the same—just in slow motion. A devoted wife and mother of five, she lives in the Midwest with her husband and their playful Goldendoodle, Harry Popper. In a household filled with avid readers, the friendly competition to collect and actually use the most library cards is always ongoing.

Beyond the pages of a book, Alisa is a passionate traveler who has explored over 24 countries. However, she values time spent in a place more than the number of stamps in her passport. She prefers slow travel, staying for a month or more to truly absorb the culture, people, and stories that make each destination unique.

Through all of life’s adventures, Alisa still finds magic in the simple things. Most days, the sight of a sunrise or sunset is enough to take her breath away.