Ten Books That Have Influenced Me

Not long ago I was asked to name ten books that have influenced me as a writer or as a person. This isn’t the easiest thing to do because I think most of what we read influences us in one way or another. As both a reader and an author we adopt some things as our own while rejecting the rest. I’ll start with young adult books and move to adult stuff.

1.Black Beauty. I believe my love of animals and dislike of cruelty started developing after reading this book.

2.Little Woman. Even in the modern world, there are lots of truths about family and being true to yourself.

3.The Trixie Belden Series. Trixie was a good role model for girls. The first books were written in the late 1940’s, but Trixie held her own against the boys and always saved the day.

4.The Sherwood Ring. This was perfect for me because it combined so many things that I liked. What were they? Ghosts, romance, and history, and I often include them in my writing

5.A Wrinkle in Time. I like science fiction which might have started with this book. 

6.The Bronze Horseman. A novel set in Russia during World War II. I found it absolutely compelling.

7.Leaving Cheyenne. This is by Larry McMurtry who is one of my favorite authors. I love his characters who are anything but what society defines as perfect. I have a few less than perfect characters myself.

8.Salem’s Lot. My first introduction to horror. It scared me so bad. I don’t read scary stuff now. I don't write it either. All of my ghosts are nice.

9.The Flame and the Flower. My first introduction to romance novels, except for Harlequins. It showed me about different types of romance.

10.Aimee, Come Home. Again, this novel merged history with romance and ghosts. I do love that combination.

There are plenty more, most of which were written far more recently, over the years I have remembered these. So what about you? Do you have a favorite novel that influenced you?