I've become very aware recently of the extent to which reading has influence my life — what I enjoy, my dreams, my awarenesses. Essentially, they've shaped who I've become and who I want to be. Books have informed my life, trained my imagination and opened my mind for as long as I can remember. And reading good books as a child made a reader out of me for life. The following thirteen are in no way and exhaustive list of all the books that have affected me. In fact, the list of children's books alone that I could have included here is so long it would take up at least a month of 13s. So here's a basic list of some of the most memorable books I've ever read, ones that have a special place in my heart because of something they taught me, or where I was in my life when I read them.
Thirteen Books That Have Influenced My Life
(listed in the approximate order they were read or experienced)
1. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
2. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
3. Are You There God, It's Me Margaret by Judy Blume
4. To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee
5. She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb
6. The Bible
7. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
8. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
9. Travelling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
10. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
11. On Writing Well by William Zinsser
12. The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama
13. Animal Vegetable Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
What books have influenced you? I'd love to hear about them!
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11 comments:
One of the reasons I like TT is that I get to be introduced to so many new books. Thanks for the list.
Great list!
Happy TT!
Wow. I love this list. Happy TT!
Wonderful list.
I absolutely adore Anne Lamott. I was just thinking of Bird by Bird the other day as I was struggling with my current novel.
Happy TT!
Great list. I have read a few of these. However, the Bible is the #1 book that influences my life! :)
1-5 would totally make my list!
I loved your first three as a child too. I have to say that I found She's Come Undone quite upsetting though. Good, and thought-provoking, but upsetting.
I have read and loved quite a few of these.
I love Green Eggs and Ham! Oh, and the Bible is great too! :)
I love books and they have had a huge influence on me too! Great idea!
My list is here.
I'm not sure I feel influenced by Green Eggs and Ham...but how can you not love any Dr. Seuss. I was very influenced by the Bronte sisters, they lived so fearfully but wrote so fearlessly.
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