Thread: Books that have influenced your life?

Clan of the cave bear, the whole series, but I began at 14.
Bridge of Birds.
The magic paintbrush. Kids book...just to name a few.

So many books have contributed to me.

Miguel Street by V.S. Naipaul - showed me how important roots are and how they nourish your adult and writing life.

Survivor by Chuck Palahniuk - kick-ass.

Things That Happen Once by Rodney Jones - support this Kingsley Tuffs awardee. Very good poems.

100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

It by Stephen King - I think this is his best work. Read it. It convinced me that the man's a genius.

Eragon. I read it in eighth grade and decided that if some kid could write that garbage, (no offense) I could write too.

Not one specific book influenced me, it was the authors that wrote them. Hemingway, Hughes and Steinbeck, as well as some of the best sci-fi writers like Campbell, Asimov and Heinlein have inspired me to write. Now, if I could just get published...

The Bible and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

The Scarlet Letter. I strongly identify with the Romantic period, and I've found my attachment to the book has only grown as the time has passed.

All Around the Town by Mary Higgins Clark inspired me to really go with psychology as my major. I was fascinated by the description of the mental disorder the main character had.

Less Than Zero by Bret Ellis

I just started reading its sequel Imperial Bedroom -- so excited =p

The World Book Encyclopedia. When I was a kid my parents use to play cards at the home of some friends. They always took me with them and I would get terribly bored. These friends had no children my age (about 7), but they did have a full set of World Book. I would take out one and just start thumbing through it reading whatever interested me. I soaked it up like a sponge. I can tell you that I'm pretty good at Trivial Pursuit.

I don't know about influenced my life, but certainly sparked my love of macabre writing. Robert R Mcammon's MYSTERY WALK

'The last church' by Graham McNeill for utterly destroying any doubts I had left about religion.

Forty Years of Murder - Prof Keith Simpson - Fascinating insight into the birth of forensics.
The Password is Courage - John Castle - True story about Sgt Major Charlie Coward, POW in WW2. First war story I read that wasn't about officer types.
Was God an Astronaut - Von Daniken - opened my eyes to a different way of thinking

'The Bell Jar'- I can sympathise with the portrait of mental breakdown, plus I adore Sylvia Plath's writing in general.

'To Kill A Mockingbird'- I studied it for GCSE English Lit and it really ignited my interest in literature.

The Catcher in the Rye and To Kill a Mockingbird probably had the deepest impact on me of any books I've read. The Hobbit and Ender's Game, too, if we're talking about fantasy/sci-fi. Actually, I read Ender's Shadow first. D'oh! But that still didn't ruin Ender's Game for me...

Life of Pi - Yann Martel (a beautiful book with a beautiful message)

Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger (I had to read this as a university set-work)

Goodnight Mr. Tom - Michelle Magorian (I read this book when I was maybe 7 years old and I remember crying right through it. I found it in a book store 2 months ago and had to buy it)

How To Kill Your Husband and other Handy Household Hints - Kathy Lette (Not exactly a life changing book, but definitely worth reading)

If I Stay - Gayle Foreman (a wonderful book that made me look at the way in which I appreciate and respect relationships with those around me. A very touching story)

I Write What I Like - Steve Biko (He was a prominent black South African with great intelligence. I must admit, I have not finished reading it, but what I have read has influenced my views greatly)

Originally Posted by Nenada

'The Bell Jar'- I can sympathise with the portrait of mental breakdown, plus I adore Sylvia Plath's writing in general.

I bought this book about 6 months ago and have struggled to get into it. I have always wanted to read it, but I find it a bit slow. Perhaps I should persevere...