I’ve always been a reader, from my earliest memory. When I was in elementary school, I remember my mother taking us to the only store with books. It had tools, feed and a tiny section of books. We could pick out one book each. I remember the pressure of that choice, standing there reading every title. I would take my time picking out the perfect story, unless there was a new Trixie Belden book, which I would grab instantly. I adored the Bob White Mysteries.
As an avid reader, I hesitate to name the books that changed my life. I know I will leave something out…something obvious. But I am going to give this a go anyway.
Here are some of the books that taught me how to live:
What Am I? I’m a Churkendoose by Ben Ross Berenberg
This book is no longer in print. I still have my copy, tattered and torn as it is. This was my favorite picture book about a creature that was not a chicken, turkey, duck or goose–he was a churkendoose. It had a refrain running through the book that said “it depends on how you look at things” that showed me that context and backstory mattered. I didn’t know that at the time, but I see it now. I loved that silly little churkendoose and remember worrying about him being teased because he was different. This was the first character I remember making me feel.
Little Witch by Anna Elizabeth Bennett
This is the first chapter book that I read, re-read and re-read. It grew so battered that I had to tape it together. I still have it and read it again recently. I loved the main character and how she never gave up hope of finding a better life, one where she fit.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
This is not as obvious a choice. It warned of the group mentality and to stand firm in our sense of right and wrong. This was not necessarily a good book for a loner to read. It gave me an innate fear of crowds that I cannot shake. For that lingering unease, I add it here.
Princess Bride by William Goldman
This is a wonderful book about friends, love and adventure. It taught me to laugh and love with my whole heart. It also taught me the wonderful charm of parenthetical phrases and the power of detail in fiction. Besides, how could I not love a book with pirates, sword fighting, fire swamps and princesses?
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
What can I say that has not been said before? I suppose I should simply quote Neil Gaiman when he said that fairy tales are important because they teach us “…. dragons can be beaten.” This book taught me that too. I loved that Bilbo was the hero. It helped me believe in myself and that even the smallest among us can make a big difference. Besides it’s Tolkien. How could it not make the list?
The Story of My Life by Helen Keller
Helen Keller was my mentor when I was a teen. She taught me to persevere even when things got tough. I learned not to let anything stand in my way no matter how great a disadvantage. Helen never did. Why should I? Her perspective on life was inspiring. This is a gorgeous book. I feel like she taught me courage. For that I will always be grateful and love this book.
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown
This book broke my heart. It made history real and sad. This book made all those dry facts from class come to life and become stories. This was a difficult book to read, but I am so glad I read it. It made me realize that it’s better to face the atrocities of our world and learn than to look away. I cried my way through it and then devoured every other book I could find on the Native American history. As someone who was descended from the Cherokee, Shawnee and Narragansett Nations, it hit home for me. (As books about Ireland did when I began on that side of my heritage.)
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig
This book made me want a Harley so badly…and I still do. I want to hit the blue highways and see the world up close. This book also made me love philosophy and the idea of trying to define the indefinable. I learned to stay in the moment.
The Complete Works of Shakespeare
William Shakespeare is the master storyteller. Once I found him, I knew that I had found the master. His plays cover every human emotion and swing from deepest tragedy to lowest humor and I love them all. My two favorite plays are Hamlet and Romeo & Juliet, but I will take any of them any day. I even studied Shakespeare at one time at the Folger Shakespearean Theater Conservatory. There is no substitute for the bard. If you want to learn about life, emotions and writing, look no further.
Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
There is similarly no passion like Walt Whitman. I am a huge fan of poetry and love this volume in particular, though it was difficult to leave Billy Collins, Yeats, Shelley, Byron, William Carlos Williams, Octavio Paz, and others off the list. Poetry taught me how to see the world and appreciate the wonder of it. Walt taught me to feel passion.
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
A masterpiece. This book is all about the power of belief. It is the best description of faith I have found told with beautiful language and imagery. It is classic Neil Gaiman and my favorite in his incredible portfolio. There is not much to say other than read it. You won’t regret it. Ever.
Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke
This book was transformational. It taught me about writing, poetry, life and solitude. Gorgeous. A must-read for every writer. I have two copies: one with notes and one pristine. When I feel lost in my writing, this is where I head.
The Entire Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling
Harry. What can I say? I love these books. I have both the American and UK versions. Paperback and hard. After I found these, I realized that my fiction needed to be aimed at young adult and children. That’s what I loved as a child and what I wanted to write. I promptly dumped the mystery I was working on and switched gears.
That’s it. I know I will add more book lists in time. How could I not? I have shelves and shelves of friends just waiting for their time in the spotlight.
What would make your list?