Books That Have Had a Profound Impact on Me
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Books have always been an important part of my life.
As I described in previous posts, I went five years without reading more than a couple of books in that time as I was so busy and focused on writing my manuscript, Ashes of Injustice, that I didn’t devote time to my reading—a mistake I am now endeavoring to rectify. However, that doesn’t mean I haven’t done any reading in my life. I’d always been an avid reader before focusing on my manuscript and going as long as I did recently without devouring books was an anomaly.
What I’ve Read That Has Had A Lasting Impact:
I read widely over a variety of genres, both Christian and secular. I’m very choosy over which books I keep and read repeatedly. These books have usually had an emotional impact on me of some kind and have become dear to my heart. They influenced who I am as a person, a reader, a writer, and an aspiring author. The following is a list of books that have influenced/impacted me in one way or another, but it is not exhaustive. Someday I’ll make another list to add to these titles. Most of these titles are older fiction; a few are more recent. I list them in no particular order.
1. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. The first real dystopian fiction I read. This book's concepts of censorship and political correctness still ring true. As a writer, sometimes I feel I have to walk a fine line, being ever so careful about what I create because it might offend somebody who doesn’t have the same opinion or perspective as me. It’s not difficult for me to imagine a future where the written word is banned because people who have no tolerance for viewpoints other than their own make it illegal to express ideas.
2. Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz. A Christian epic that I can’t begin to extoll in just a few words here adequately. You must read it if you haven’t yet. A classic. Very few books have brought me to tears but this is one of them.
3. Charlottes’s Web by E.B. White. The first book that made me cry and taught me about what genuine love is. I fell in love with Wilber and Charlotte and their true friendship. Having lived a lonely childhood with few friends, I coveted that love and connection.
4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Growing up in Canada, I didn’t know about race problems in the United States until I read this book in school for the first time. I remember wishing I had a dad like Atticus Finch. I grew up without a father from the time I was eight years old, and I remember wondering what it would have been like to have that kind of dad.
5. Fatherland by Robert Harris. Another dystopian novel with a historical twist. This is a great read if you’re a World War Two buff and a lover of thriller/suspense/mystery novels.
6. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. The first book series I read was given to me as a Christmas gift. At a very tender age, it convinced me that I wanted to tell stories and share them with others someday.
7. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey. I have struggled with mental illness (chronic clinical depression and anxiety) most of my life. I found this book very disturbing, and thus it greatly impacted me. I’m so grateful I had a much different, more positive experience while under care for my mental health issues.
8. The Water Keeper by Charles Martin. I don’t know how he did it, but the author opened my head and heart, read everything inside of me, and wrote this book directly in response to what I needed to hear. A keeper. Every chapter triggered and made me cry in a good, cathartic, healing way. From this book, I carry away the message that no one is beyond redemption if they want it and that God’s love is always waiting to forgive and heal us if we look to Him.
9. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes. I’ve always believed my best feature or asset is my mind, my intellect. The idea of anyone tinkering with it, even with the best intentions, has terrified me. This book had the same effect on me. The idea of losing my intellect to defect or disease terrifies me.
10. The Stand by Stephen King. The first of his novels I had ever read and the one I enjoyed the most. I grew to relate to his characters in ways I haven’t in any of his other books I’ve read.
Honorable Mentions on this list include:
1. Anne of Green Gables by L.M.M. Montgomery
2. Murder of the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
3. Curtain: Poirot’s Last Case by Agatha Christie
4. The Stranger Beside Me by Anne Rule
What are the books that have impacted you the most? How or why did they impact you? I would love to know what you think. Check out my other posts, and don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter to receive updates on my website, blog and notice of future posts. Thank you again for reading, and please share this and my other posts with your family and friends. God Bless!
Warmest regards,
Pauline
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