Books That Changed My Life

A variety of titles that changed my life. Some titles will be obvious to everyone (see Esme) and some may be clear only to me (see Evanovich).

1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Perhaps the greatest novel ever written. "Jem and I would get grown, but there wasn't much else for us to learn, except possibly algebra."

2. One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
Hilarity, hijinks, and poignant writing? Too much for anyone to ask for, and yet, Evanovich delivers.

3. Weep No More, My Lady by Mary Higgins Clark
I have probably read this book more than any other in my life--somewhere around ten times, I would imagine. Romance, grief, inner struggle, inner demons, angst--all this in a spa setting and surrounded by Hollywood glamour ... what's not to love?

4. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
This changed my life in that it changed my writing style. See ... well, all previous blogs for evidence of this--particularly summer of 2003.

5. Educating Esme: Diary of a First Year Teacher by Esme Raji Codell
I heart literature. Now I get to read about someone else hearting literature.

6. Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie
I wish I had written this book. That's the highest compliment I can pay. Even though I've read it four or five times, it still makes my stomach drop every time I read it. And the ending ... wow!!

7. The Boomerang Club (or Why Didn't They Ask Evans?) by Agatha Christie
Bobby and Frankie, Frankie and Bobby. Agatha Christie does romance like nobody's business--subtly, wittily, satisfactorily. EAT IT, Mary Westmacott!! (Oh yeah, and the mystery's pretty good too.)

8. Boy Meets Girl by Meg Cabot
I thought I wanted to write like Mary Higgins Clark or Janet Evanovich, until I read Meg Cabot. She writes like I think ... only funnier. And there's more romance. Basically, Meg Cabot has the career that I wish I had. I've read this one three times and can quote pretty much every hilarious line verbatim. "I saw you hiding behind that potted plant in the lobby. Don't try to deny it." "Love, Mitch. AKA The Fucker." HA!!

9. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
I don't see how any writer could feel more satisfied with a novel's ending than J.K. Rowling MUST have felt at the end of this one. Pure. Genius. Plus, it's funny!!

10. The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Spear
This was probably when I first realized that I liked reading romance novels. And technically, this wouldn't be classified as a romance, but as Meg Cabot says, if there's no romance, what's the point? Seriously!!

Other favorite novels (with romance, obviously):
1. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
2. Shining Through by Susan Isaacs
3. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
4. Bridget Jones: the Edge of Reason by Helen Fielding