Friday, December 19, 2008

Friday Five- Five Books That Influenced

While perusing fellow RWA chapter mate, Deborah Wright's blog, and reading about the 10 formative books in her life, I decided to write about the five in my life.


The first would be Nancy Drew Mysteries by Carolyn Keene. My mom wasn't much of a reader, but she always made sure we kids had books. Fist she bought the Dr. Seuss series of books then as I got older she subscribed to the Nancy Drew collection. I spent my summers devouring each book when it arrived. Because during the school year I had access to the school library.



Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Spear- I read it in Junior high and it has stuck with me ever since. I'm still fascinated by stories of healers and how they were deemed witches.



Time of The Hunter's Moon by Victoria Holt- That was the first book, I fell into the heroine's character.







Miss Marple Mysteries- Agatha Christie- I read anything I could get my hands on by this woman! But I loved the Miss Marple stories the most because I could so relate with the down-to-earth character. Her sharp eyes and ears to the little details are fabulous.



Hummingbird by LaVyrle Spence - This is the book that put me on the path to writing historical romance. I fell so in love with the characters and setting, I had to try to write like that and give the reader a wonderful journey like she did for me.

So what books shaped who you are as a writer or a reader?

4 comments:

Deborah Wright said...

Hi Paty. Great list!

I think the fact that I always had to do what my brothers were doing (including reading what they read) influenced me a lot more than I'd realized. LOL

I read some Nancy Drew, but only after I was older and found my brothers' Hardy Boys books in a box in the garage (I didn't know they had them when I was younger). I did read a lot of Agatha Christie and Miss Marple was my favorite, too. But I think I was in High School when I started reading her. I've also read a bit of Victoria Holt, but again, not until I was in High School or older. I remember enjoying her books and the books by Phyllis A. Whitney at about the same time.

It's interesting what captures our imaginations and spurs us on to read more or to write in a particular genre, isn't it?

Lauri said...

Yup, I can relate to your list! I read those too. I also loved the Box Car Children, and bought the series for my boys while they were growing up. I also read Laura Ingalls-Wilder. My first romance read was The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss. I've worn out several copies in re-reads since then. And I'm still a Harlequin junkie. LOL.

Great post!

Paty Jager said...

Thanks for stopping by, Deborah!

Lauri, I read Laura Ingals-Wilder and both my daughters loved the books and have bought the sets as adults. I read the boxcar children too.

Helen Hardt said...

Okay, I'm late to the party, but here are my five:

1. The Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Ask me any trivia question. I can answer it with a snap, LOL.

2. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.

3. Forever by Judy Blume

4. Morrigan's Cross by Nora Roberts (I had been writing fantasy fiction, and this one inspired me to try writing a romance.)

5. Champagne Rules by Susan Lyons (this one inspired me to try erotic romance.)

Helen