This past week, I was tagged on Facebook and instructed to list ten books that have made an impact on my reading life. I dutifully answered the request and figured it would also make a perfect blog post for this busy time of year.
1. The Bible, of course. As a linear thinker, I really like reading a chronological version.
2. Betsy-Tacy series (Maud Hart Lovelace) – It’s the first series I remember gobbling up back in elementary school.
3. Trixie Belden series (Julie Campbell & Kathryn Kenny) – I loved Trixie’s imperfection, so unlike the perfect Nancy Drew. She was someone I could relate to.
4. Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators series (various authors) – Like Trixie, the Three Investigators weren’t perfect, which made them far more authentic than the Hardy Boys.
5. Behold a Pale Horse (Joe Musser) – This book was given to me by my pastor when I was 10 or so. It was my introduction to Christian fiction.
6. Danny Orlis series (Bernard Palmer) – A Hardy Boy-like adventures with a Christian protagonist.
7. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte) – I love Jane Eyre because she’s not your typical protagonist. She lacks physical beauty, but has a very layered character.
8. This Present Darkness (Frank Peretti) – The first work of Christian fiction I read as an adult. It made me think of spiritual warfare in a whole new way.
9. The Last Sin Eater (Francine Rivers) – I debated between listing this book and Francine Rivers’ A Voice in the Wind. Both are extraordinary works of fiction. I’ve read A Voice in the Wind several times, but The Last Sin Eater was the book that introduced me to Francine Rivers.
10. Gulliver’s Travels (Jonathan Swift) – I just love the satire in this books. Wish I could write like that!
I’d love to know which books have made the biggest impact on you!
Comments 2
I didn’t get to the “tag” yesterday, Bren. My apologies. The Bible is Numero Uno so I’ll leave it out. I’ll list ten others here in no particular order:
1. The Black Stallion series. Loved, loved, loved them. Wonderful, magical, filled my city girl’s horse loving needs.
2. An illustrated copy of Black Beauty I got one Christmas.
3. This Present Darkness/Piercing the Darkness. Frank Peretti is a genius. (I could actually list all of his adult novels from these two on, including Illusion, except Monster.)
4. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. Powerful, breathtaking story.
5. Secrets/Unforgotten by Kristen Heitzmann. I absolutely loved these two of the trilogy. Only novels I read more than once.
6. No novels have touched me in so many ways like Vince Flynn’s. Miss him and his work so much.
7. Dogwood by Chris Fabry. I was taken in by his writing, and I didn’t even particularly care for the ending to this story.
8. Comes A Horseman by Robert Liparulo. My introduction to this fascinating thriller writer. Love his work.
9. Loved the three J. Mark Bertrand police procedurals (Back on Murder; Pattern of Wounds; Nothing to Hide)
10. In the ten spot, I have to group several authors: James Scott Bell’s trilogy (Try Dying, etc.), Steven James Patrick Bowers Series, some of Brandilyn Collins’ early suspense; definitely Randy Alcorn’s Deadline trilogy, Lisa Samson’s beautiful The Passion of Mary Margaret.
I’ll stop there. 😉
That’s a terrific list, Nicole. I think I’ve read them all except for the Black Stallion series.