I haven't read nearly as much as I should have, and not half as much as I must. So the books I list here are what have helped shape some part of my life, hopefully not a major part, as I hope to read many, many, many more. Note that none of them are particularly highbrow reading, in fact, more than half of this list comprises children's books, without which I wouldn't be here.
I attempt to go chronologically and figure out what each book taught me. This way, I can remove the ones that are irrelevant and say I tried if I go(inevitably) above the limit of 10. :P
1. The Mallory Towers series by Enid Blyton, particularly book 5(I think!) the one in which Darrell writes a play and everyone is so pleased and proud of her. I am not kidding. I've come to a conclusion that only an author can represent in words what it means to be an author, and to love the craft of writing. And each time I read another account, whether fictional or non-fictional, about writing, I'm buoyed up by it(See 'On Writing', below). I remember why I write. This was the original source of my infatuation with wordsmithy. (also, where I learnt the word 'idiot' :D )
2. Harry Potter, particularly the lulls between the publishing of book 4 and 5, 5 and 6, and 6 and 7. These periods almost beat out the actual readings of the books, on the day that they were published(or a few days later, if my too-slow-at-reading brother got them first), filled as they were with conjecture, speculation, and a memorable complete fanfiction that was way more imaginative than book 5, in my humble opinion. (also, where I learnt the word 'moron' :D :D )
3. The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke. I'm not sure why, but it meant a lot to me. Particularly the parts about escaping reality and imperfect lives with perfect endings. Also one of the first books I ever read which sympathised with both sides of an ongoing(although small-scale) war.
4. A Series of Unfortunate Events, mostly books 1-5. Because those are the ones that I read and re-read until I went crazy. And they taught me that it's okay to ask about things, like how something works, or what the meaning of that word is.
5. Fairest by Gail Carson Levine, and, relatedly, First Test by Tamora Pierce. Kickass female pro tags rebelling against the world, magical realism, anyone? These are the good kind of book for a young girl, telling her the right things: you can do anything, be anything. You might have to push harder than anyone else, but you can do it.
6. The Princess Diaries series, particularly the third or fourth book. Actually, more or less the whole series. See what I mean about kickass female protags above. Also, the way that Mia grows throughout the series and, well, saying that caring about certain things like shoes or TV shows or silly books doesn't make you less smart or less useful to society really boosts someone who does care about these things but doesn't want to think she's just a, you know, fluffy-headed girl.
7. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. Because this was the first time that I realised that books could be irresponsible and immoral and yet so good. (Oh, he gets his comeuppance, you say? Well, he lives for years before happens, in a kind of consequence-free zone, so there!)
8. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. Passionately in love with one of the characters. Engrossed in a different world from dawn till long after dusk. This is the power of a book.(And it taught me, without shoving it down my throat, about politics and war and all that jazz.)
9. Short stories by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Because he's the kind of writer I would give an arm and a leg to be. Who sees the dark side of humanity and presents it to us in a wry, what-can-you-do sort of way. I worship him and his writing.
10. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. Putting the idea into my head that all books are related. And that everything, everything: in fact, reality itself, exists to be played with in words, those magnificent things.
11. On Writing, by Stephen King. Is it weird that I began reading his actual fiction, the books he's known for, The Shining, It, Carrie and Under the Dome, after I read his treatise on putting words together? But this is the one book, which, for me, encapsulates a writer's life.(Yes, alcoholism included.) Over the years that I've read and re-read it, I've begun snapping off screenshots of the most useful writing advice I've found, and collecting them all in a folder titled 'Writing'. I fondly presume that I'll end up making a scrapbook out of these gems someday, to refer to when I'm complacent or (much more likely) disillusioned.
These are by no means my favourite books. That would require another list, which would definitely not be limited to 10 or 11. They are the books that I grew up with, the ones I tip my chin to, the ones that, embarrassingly or otherwise, made me who I am.
Also, others I was considering but didn't mention: The Liar by Stephen Fry, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery, things by Sir Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Diana Wynne Jones(who are all inspirations just by having existed in this place and time), LOTR, and many, many more.
I attempt to go chronologically and figure out what each book taught me. This way, I can remove the ones that are irrelevant and say I tried if I go(inevitably) above the limit of 10. :P
1. The Mallory Towers series by Enid Blyton, particularly book 5(I think!) the one in which Darrell writes a play and everyone is so pleased and proud of her. I am not kidding. I've come to a conclusion that only an author can represent in words what it means to be an author, and to love the craft of writing. And each time I read another account, whether fictional or non-fictional, about writing, I'm buoyed up by it(See 'On Writing', below). I remember why I write. This was the original source of my infatuation with wordsmithy. (also, where I learnt the word 'idiot' :D )
2. Harry Potter, particularly the lulls between the publishing of book 4 and 5, 5 and 6, and 6 and 7. These periods almost beat out the actual readings of the books, on the day that they were published(or a few days later, if my too-slow-at-reading brother got them first), filled as they were with conjecture, speculation, and a memorable complete fanfiction that was way more imaginative than book 5, in my humble opinion. (also, where I learnt the word 'moron' :D :D )
3. The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke. I'm not sure why, but it meant a lot to me. Particularly the parts about escaping reality and imperfect lives with perfect endings. Also one of the first books I ever read which sympathised with both sides of an ongoing(although small-scale) war.
4. A Series of Unfortunate Events, mostly books 1-5. Because those are the ones that I read and re-read until I went crazy. And they taught me that it's okay to ask about things, like how something works, or what the meaning of that word is.
5. Fairest by Gail Carson Levine, and, relatedly, First Test by Tamora Pierce. Kickass female pro tags rebelling against the world, magical realism, anyone? These are the good kind of book for a young girl, telling her the right things: you can do anything, be anything. You might have to push harder than anyone else, but you can do it.
6. The Princess Diaries series, particularly the third or fourth book. Actually, more or less the whole series. See what I mean about kickass female protags above. Also, the way that Mia grows throughout the series and, well, saying that caring about certain things like shoes or TV shows or silly books doesn't make you less smart or less useful to society really boosts someone who does care about these things but doesn't want to think she's just a, you know, fluffy-headed girl.
7. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. Because this was the first time that I realised that books could be irresponsible and immoral and yet so good. (Oh, he gets his comeuppance, you say? Well, he lives for years before happens, in a kind of consequence-free zone, so there!)
8. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. Passionately in love with one of the characters. Engrossed in a different world from dawn till long after dusk. This is the power of a book.(And it taught me, without shoving it down my throat, about politics and war and all that jazz.)
9. Short stories by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Because he's the kind of writer I would give an arm and a leg to be. Who sees the dark side of humanity and presents it to us in a wry, what-can-you-do sort of way. I worship him and his writing.
10. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. Putting the idea into my head that all books are related. And that everything, everything: in fact, reality itself, exists to be played with in words, those magnificent things.
11. On Writing, by Stephen King. Is it weird that I began reading his actual fiction, the books he's known for, The Shining, It, Carrie and Under the Dome, after I read his treatise on putting words together? But this is the one book, which, for me, encapsulates a writer's life.(Yes, alcoholism included.) Over the years that I've read and re-read it, I've begun snapping off screenshots of the most useful writing advice I've found, and collecting them all in a folder titled 'Writing'. I fondly presume that I'll end up making a scrapbook out of these gems someday, to refer to when I'm complacent or (much more likely) disillusioned.
These are by no means my favourite books. That would require another list, which would definitely not be limited to 10 or 11. They are the books that I grew up with, the ones I tip my chin to, the ones that, embarrassingly or otherwise, made me who I am.
Also, others I was considering but didn't mention: The Liar by Stephen Fry, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery, things by Sir Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Diana Wynne Jones(who are all inspirations just by having existed in this place and time), LOTR, and many, many more.
