Cynthia over at Read is the New Black has been blogging about books that she read as a child/teen. She's reminded me of a few books I used to love as a teenager and it's put me in a contemplative mood. There were many books that influenced me, many that made me want to write, to create, and to inspire the same things I felt when I read. Two of them stand out to me.
Now, I started writing books by the time I was four, so I know I was writing before this, but, THE SECRET GARDEN is the first book that I remember that made me want to be published. It sparked something inside of me, gave me a story idea that I have carried around with me ever since. I don't yet know if the idea will blossom into a full length novel. To this point is hasn't, but maybe someday will be the right time to write that story. THE SECRET GARDEN will always be special because it opened a door for me.
The second book was JANE EYRE. I first read this when I was twelve. I often pestered my mother to take me to the library for more books. She didn't always have time to drop everything at my whining complaints that I had nothing to read. Besides that, she wanted to introduce me to the classics, to teach me about literature, and probably to give me really long books so I would stop pestering her. She'd been after me for awhile to read this book, and since she wasn't chauffeuring me around as much as I wanted I finally gave in. And I was blown away. This book taught me what a book could be. JANE EYRE will always be something I strive to emulate. Not the plot or language, but the scope of the novel, the depth and complexity, the fact that after all this time it can still speak to readers and blow them away.
What books influenced you? Did you have a single book that influenced your desire to write? That helped you find your home in a certain genre? Or was it a string of many books that created a home for you?
I loved both those books too. Though I think the writing is too slow to share them with my daughter.
ReplyDeleteIt's always sad when my kids think my favorite children's books are too slow. But, we've been able to find some new favorites that work for them. I guess the important thing is helping them find books that they will cherish through their lives.
DeleteI LOVE Jane Eyre! It's an amazing story, with very endearing characters. The book that I absolutely love and keep re-reading is "Cyrano de Bergerac", from Edmond Rostand. The writing amazes me each time.
ReplyDeleteOo, I haven't read that one in a long time. Might be time to re-new acquaintances.
DeleteThanks for the shout out, Sara! I've read both THE SECRET GARDEN and JANE EYRE. Both stories appealed to me because they depicted strong and outspoken female characters who thrived and survived despite living in a time when society didn't necessarily value strong and outspoken females. Great choices to share here!
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm pretty outspoken, maybe that's why I loved them so.:)
DeleteThe Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, any of the books the teachers read to us in class, all the books my momma read to me. There's no telling how many there are on this list! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI still love the little house books!
DeleteJane Eyre is my favorite female hero of all time. Great books!
ReplyDeleteYay!
DeleteJane Eyre is my favorite female hero of all time. Great books!
ReplyDeleteI read everything I could get my hands on. I think the standout books for me were Mary Stewart's Merlin series.
ReplyDeleteI think I only read the first book, I'll have to go back and finish.
DeleteI certainly loved the classics... Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Secret Garden, Great Expectations. In early grade school, my ultimate favorite... Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little!
ReplyDeleteAh, those were great ones, too. My son recently was introduced to Charlotte's Web and it was so much fun to watch him learn to love it.
DeleteI'm ashamed to admit I still haven't read Jane Eyre (hanging head). I'll have to remedy that--maybe after I finish my current read?
ReplyDeleteWhile I always recommend Jane Eyre, not every book is for every person, read the ones you're passionate about, not just the ones you feel you ought to.
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ReplyDeleteI loved Gone With the Wind. I know, weird choice for a kid. Christmas Carol.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, where to start? Besides board books... Let's see, I was 8-10 when I read Charlotte's Web, The Hobbit, and the Chronicles of Narnia. There were others in there, I wish I'd kept a list the way I do now. Some of my favourite Canadian authors were Kit Pearson, Janet Lunn, and Jean Little. I also read one-off books that I got from book fairs or Scholastic, and don't quite remember how they fell into my lap. Things like Avalanche, by... something Roth. Or The Secret Life of Hilary Thorne -- all about a girl who escapes into books!
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