Jeffrey asked Alicia Keys:

Hi Alicia, Thanks so much for opening yourself and your time to answering reader's questions. In your professional life wearing many hats, when do you find time to read, and since time is so valuable, how do you choose which book to read? Also, what drove you to write a children's book? All best wishes --

Alicia Keys LOL…I ask myself that question a lot! With such a jam-packed, go go go schedule, being able to read at any time is actually one of the things I miss the most…but I do find my moments! Long flights are good! I think to myself, “Oh my God, look at me!! I’m reading a book!!” ;-)

When I am choosing books to read, I love great recommendations from friends. I’ll make a list of books containing ones I’ve come across or ones that friends suggest to me, and try to make my way through them all.

And my mother is the best book–recommender of all time!! If I’m looking for a quality book, I ask her what she’s read lately. Two books that I really want to read right now are Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson and Damned Nations: Greed, Guns, Armies and Aid by Samantha Nutt. The authors both run organizations that are part of my We Are Here Movement (weareheremovement.com). I’m incredibly inspired by the work they do to make the world a more just, kind place for all of us, but especially those who have been mistreated, condemned or forgotten.

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