Influential Books
Stolen from cinnamon_kisses:
This is inspired by the Big Read meme going around that prompts people to select 'classic' books from a list that they have read. With that in mind, I'd like you to list the ten books that have had the most influence on YOU, personally. It doesn't matter whether or not they're classics, adult books or YA. This meme is not asking you to be a literary critic. These are the books that have made an impression on you, that stay in your mind, that have had an impact on your life. The books that taught you how to write, that molded your ideas about life and love. The books that you *always* have a copy of on your bookshelf, and invariably read until the binding is falling apart.
1. Atonement, Ian McEwan: I just remember being so struck by this book. Not just the plot, though. This was my first experience with McEwan's writing, which is just fantastic. His characters are so real. I feel like I -know- them. He's all about little things making big impacts on life, which makes for amazing stories. And he's all about the modern gothic. And sex. He's pretty much amazing.
2. Tortall series, Tamora Pierce: Yes, a YA series. I read this in 7th grade, and thus started my love of fantasy books. I haven't reread them recently, so I couldn't say if they really are that good, but I know the stories by heart and I loved the characters. And I think I might have written some of my first fanfiction for this series.
3. Paradise Lost, John Milton: I'm not gonna say it wasn't painful, but I had an entire class on Milton, and most of it was on Paradise Lost. PL is one of those works that just stays with you and makes you think. I think all my views of God/the Bible, etc shifted b/c of this poem. Whether that is good or bad, idk. I also wrote one of my best papers ever on PL.
4. Number the Stars, Lois Lowry: I debated between listing this one or Lowry's The Giver. I read the Giver much later in life - in college, actually, though not exactly for a class. Her writing is great for YA and adults alike. She taps right in to horrible situations and lets you see the hope.
5. Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte: Who doesn't love Jane and Rochester? Well, actually, I've always found Rochester a bit... unsavory... but, I love this book anyway. It was my first real 'classic.' I find the Austen/Bronte feud/thing interesting, and I love the mystery of the book as well.
6. The Dragonriders of Pern series, Anne McCaffrey: Included b/c these were pretty much my obsession at age 13, and they undoubtedly had some effect on my imagination, though I'm not much of a sci-fi girl these days. If you like it, though, these books are fantastic. Great characterization.
7. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Jonathan Safran Foer: I love, love, love postmodern books. This one (which is very similar to The Curious Incident of the Dog... in style) is beautifully written and very touching. And quirky.
8. Haroun and the Sea of Stories, Salman Rushdie: They call this a children's book, but I disagree. Rushdie is an amazing writer. I can't really explain my love of this one. It's something about the symbolism. It's just good.
9. Twilight, Stephenie Meyer: Ok, not saying it's one of my absolute favorite books, or one of the best books, but has definitely been influential. And Edward has completely spoiled me for real guys *sigh*
10. The Time Traveler's Wife, Audrey Niffenegger: Again with the post-modern style love. I love a story that's told unconventionally, which this one definitely is. I need to read this again.
Ok... so I'm sure I'm forgetting something major, but that's the list. I hate making lists like that. I think all books that I read affect me in some way or another, but those are some of the ones that really stuck with me.
This is inspired by the Big Read meme going around that prompts people to select 'classic' books from a list that they have read. With that in mind, I'd like you to list the ten books that have had the most influence on YOU, personally. It doesn't matter whether or not they're classics, adult books or YA. This meme is not asking you to be a literary critic. These are the books that have made an impression on you, that stay in your mind, that have had an impact on your life. The books that taught you how to write, that molded your ideas about life and love. The books that you *always* have a copy of on your bookshelf, and invariably read until the binding is falling apart.
1. Atonement, Ian McEwan: I just remember being so struck by this book. Not just the plot, though. This was my first experience with McEwan's writing, which is just fantastic. His characters are so real. I feel like I -know- them. He's all about little things making big impacts on life, which makes for amazing stories. And he's all about the modern gothic. And sex. He's pretty much amazing.
2. Tortall series, Tamora Pierce: Yes, a YA series. I read this in 7th grade, and thus started my love of fantasy books. I haven't reread them recently, so I couldn't say if they really are that good, but I know the stories by heart and I loved the characters. And I think I might have written some of my first fanfiction for this series.
3. Paradise Lost, John Milton: I'm not gonna say it wasn't painful, but I had an entire class on Milton, and most of it was on Paradise Lost. PL is one of those works that just stays with you and makes you think. I think all my views of God/the Bible, etc shifted b/c of this poem. Whether that is good or bad, idk. I also wrote one of my best papers ever on PL.
4. Number the Stars, Lois Lowry: I debated between listing this one or Lowry's The Giver. I read the Giver much later in life - in college, actually, though not exactly for a class. Her writing is great for YA and adults alike. She taps right in to horrible situations and lets you see the hope.
5. Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte: Who doesn't love Jane and Rochester? Well, actually, I've always found Rochester a bit... unsavory... but, I love this book anyway. It was my first real 'classic.' I find the Austen/Bronte feud/thing interesting, and I love the mystery of the book as well.
6. The Dragonriders of Pern series, Anne McCaffrey: Included b/c these were pretty much my obsession at age 13, and they undoubtedly had some effect on my imagination, though I'm not much of a sci-fi girl these days. If you like it, though, these books are fantastic. Great characterization.
7. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Jonathan Safran Foer: I love, love, love postmodern books. This one (which is very similar to The Curious Incident of the Dog... in style) is beautifully written and very touching. And quirky.
8. Haroun and the Sea of Stories, Salman Rushdie: They call this a children's book, but I disagree. Rushdie is an amazing writer. I can't really explain my love of this one. It's something about the symbolism. It's just good.
9. Twilight, Stephenie Meyer: Ok, not saying it's one of my absolute favorite books, or one of the best books, but has definitely been influential. And Edward has completely spoiled me for real guys *sigh*
10. The Time Traveler's Wife, Audrey Niffenegger: Again with the post-modern style love. I love a story that's told unconventionally, which this one definitely is. I need to read this again.
Ok... so I'm sure I'm forgetting something major, but that's the list. I hate making lists like that. I think all books that I read affect me in some way or another, but those are some of the ones that really stuck with me.