Thursday, June 21, 2007

Thursday Thirteen #4

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:

Anonymous said...

One of the reasons I like TT is that I get to be introduced to so many new books. Thanks for the list.

Gail Martin said...

Great list!

Happy TT!

Anonymous said...

Wow. I love this list. Happy TT!

Veronica Arch said...

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!

Anonymous said...

Great list. I have read a few of these. However, the Bible is the #1 book that influences my life! :)

Cinnamon Girl said...

1-5 would totally make my list!

Robin said...

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.

Heather said...

I have read and loved quite a few of these.

Chelle Y. said...

I love Green Eggs and Ham! Oh, and the Bible is great too! :)

Lady Jane said...

I love books and they have had a huge influence on me too! Great idea!

My list is here.

Minnesota Nice said...

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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