My Story

Hey, everyone! I'm Valerie, or Val for short. 👋

My book journey started way back when I was little, built on exciting library visits and storytime before bed every night. To me, books have always been more than just a pastime—they are an outlet to explore new worlds, step outside of my own bubble, and learn about cultures I might never experience otherwise. Story after story, reading has built my sense of empathy and educated me in so many ways.

Because I wanted to share this gift of reading with my peers, I started my BookTube channel back in the spring of 2020. I had one crazy goal: read 100 books over the summer and make a short video review for every single one. And somehow, I actually pulled it off!

Since then, Read with Val has grown into something so much bigger. I use this platform to share my recent favorite reads of all genres, explore diverse stories, and celebrate underrepresented voices. I also love bringing you guys along for broader bookish content—like vlogging trips to bookstores and libraries around the world or putting together bookish gift guides! It’s been wild seeing the channel get featured in places like The New York Times and getting the chance to interview some of my real-life heroes.

But I’m not always reading! When I don’t have my nose in a book, you can usually find me on the court. I love playing basketball. Basketball lets me chase my other passion while building amazing, lifelong friendships with my teammates. Besides reading and hoops, I just really love spending time with my family and friends.

It has been an absolute thrill to see this space grow and connect with fellow book lovers. Together, let's keep discovering captivating books that inspire us, entertain us, and stay with us long after the last page.

Check out what I'm reading right now on my Instagram feed below! 👇