Top Ten Most Influential Books {Blog Tag}

  Hey everyone! It's reading time! And since I'm still reading One Realm Beyond, I've decided to do a blog tag I saw on Inklined. See original post here. I wasn't actually tagged in this, but I thought it would be fun to try. You're supposed to list ten books that have influenced you greatly. So here's ten books that influenced me. I'm sure there are more, but here are a few, in no particular order. (Also, I would like to mention that the Bible has influenced me more than any other book out there, but that's a given, so these are just other books.)

 

1. American Girl Books -- I'm talking most of the classics here. Samantha, Kirsten, and Addy were among my favorites. These were some of my favorite books I read when I was little, and I loved them. I really do think they helped start my love for story telling. 

 

2. Captive Treasure by Milly Howard -- This was arguably my favorite book when I was younger. I was fascinated by Carrie's story, and in my earlier writing days, many of my stories were inspired by this book... let's just say I tried to re-create it in my own way before I realized that wasn't such a good idea. Since reading this book, I've also tried to find other books like it, but I don't think I've found it's equal yet. At least a similar storyline that holds such a special place in my heart. 

 

3. Raiders From the Sea (and the rest of the Viking Quest Series) by Lois Walfrid Johnson -- Yet another book series that inspired me in my writing. I loved the writing style and characters of these middle grade books about Vikings and the people they capture, and read them, and loved them. 

 

4. The Door Within Series by Wayne Thomas Batson -- This was probably the first book I read that really made me want to write fantasy, this was a turning point since I'd mostly been writing present day, and inaccurate historical before this point.       

 

5. Narnia series by C.S. Lewis -- Before I really was into writing fantasy, this classic series introduced me to the genre. I reveled in the story, loving every aspect. I went through a point of having a fansite, and I even now occasionally write fanfiction. But I'm a diehard bookie, so I always stick to the book version of the story. 

 

6. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale -- Besides Narnia, this may have been the first fantasy I really read. This book sucked me in from the start, and cemented me as a Shannon Hale fan, even though it was the first book I'd read by her. I now own almost every book by her. (Same with Wayne Thomas Batson.)

 

7. The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers (and everything else she's written.) -- I didn't know anything about Francine Rivers until I saw the movie based on this book when I was younger. After that, I just had to read every book I could get a hold of by her, including this one. It was Sin Eater and Redeeming Love that stood out to me the most though. Francine Rivers just has a beautiful writing style, and her work always holds depth to it. She doesn't just write "fluff" but her stories hold something deep and true. She is my inspiration that makes me want to write something of worth, something that isn't just your everyday story, but something that holds deep nuggets of truth entwined in the pages... something that has meaning. She is arguably the writer who has had the most impact on my life. And Last Sin Eater really stood out to me. 

8. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart -- I didn't discover this clever middle grade series until my early teens, but I was immediately engrossed by this story filled with puzzles, quirky characters, and exciting situations. I'm a huge fan, and wish the writer would pen some more, should the inspiration strike. Very inspiring. This story has some amazing and unique characterization. 

9. Replication by Jill Williamson -- This was the first book I read by this author, and I was blown away this book that introduced me to the world of "spec fic." Apparently, fantasy doesn't just have to be a Twillight model (ick), or take place in another world. Spec fic can be fantasy, dystopian, sci fi, etc. I loved Replication... the writing style, the characters... everything! So, of course, I now own almost every Jill Williamson book, and she is one of my biggest inspirations. I want to write my stories in the vein that she does... fantastic stories with truth. 

10. Band of Sisters by Cathy Gohlke -- This is a book to make you think, to make you evaluate. There are so many things going on under our noses, and this one focuses on the horrors of "white slavery," and setting a story that still applies now in the early 1900's. Seriously. Read this book. You'll find yourself wanting to do your part to help free children and women everywhere. 

 So there's my ten! There are so many that I could list like Chasing Jupiter, or Burning Sky, but there's only ten spots. But rest assured, there are many books that have touched me, and many more that I'm sure will. 

 Want to take part in this tag? Go ahead! For now, I'll tag 10 bloggers, but you can do it even if you aren't tagged!

Katelyn

Leah

Heather

Mirriam

Elizabeth

Lily

Brian

Rosie

Victoria

Aidyl 

 

~ a rambling author