My all time favorite books, and my reading philosophy

 I read a lot. A lot might be an understatement. Yes, a gross understatement. 

I read because: 

It is good for the mind

It helps improve my writing

And, most of all, because I love adventure. When I read, it’s like I am being sucked into a magical portal. I can be a character in the stories I read and the stories I write.

I want to be a writer, so that I can have this impact on others. I have the ability to inspire people. I have the ability to create my own portals. And that is pretty awesome. 

I’ve written a few short novels and the only way I could have done it is by reading. Read read read. Your writing will thank you for it. 

If you want to feel that tingly buzz, that inspiration, that power, here are the books that made me feel. The books that made me who I am. 

Fredrik Backman. He is one of the authors who have influenced me the most. His books combine humor with real life emotions, creating, in my mind, the ideal novel. My favorite works of his are Anxious People, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, and Things My Son Needs To Know About The World. His short stories, The Deal of a Lifetime, and Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer, also had an impact. His books will make you laugh, cry, and nod your head all at the same time. 

Anton Checkov’s play, The Three Sisters, will always live in my heart. My grandfather has Parkinson’s disease. He has hallucinations and lives in a nursing home. But despite his mental illness he was able to plan me a surprise and got me this book. The mental illness makes his handwriting shaky and often illegible, yet he was able to coherently write his name in the play and tell me he loves me. This play will always remind me of love and peace. Love you G-pa. 

Dostoevsky: Whether you choose Crime and Punishment, or my personal favorite, Dreams of a Ridiculous man, you will feel the love the author has for his readers. Carefully plotted and beautifully told, Dostoevsky taught me the power a good descriptive phrase has. 

The Bookwanderers: this series, perfect for any age, describes the magic books have perfectly. Even though it is a fantasy novel, threads of truth hold together the fabric of this tale. It helped make my connection to books even stronger. 

Platero and I: a heartwarming tale, I love this book for more than its descriptions and plot. When my grandpa was in his first nursing home, he was friends with a guy named Mike. Mike was sweet, and I visited him often before he went to a different nursing home and, sadly, passed away. He gifted me this book, and every time I see it, I think of him. Just recently I was paging through it again, and I found a hidden note. I felt like I was getting to know Mike all over again. Finding this note helped me realize how a book can hold friends and family together, even after one is gone. 

Nancy Drew: My great grandmother had a collection of Nancy Drews she passed on to me, and they are in a place of honor upon my bookcase. Upon opening the book, I noticed some Crayon drawings in the front. This was how I realized the impact books have on family members. Books from when parents were kids, passed onto their own kids, or from grandparents or great grandparents, can tell a story different from the ones found in the pages themselves. 

Proust: When I think Proust, I think pretentious with a capital P. Which is why I avoided Proust. Then my family started reading it, and, finally, I gave Proust a try. All I can say about Mr. P, is that he captures the essence of humanity perfectly. He understands the human race, all of those complex feelings and emotions. When you read In Search of Lost Time, you’ll feel like Proust is your best friend and also, you, all in one. His books represent everything we’ve ever felt, or tried to feel, or have been scared to feel. 

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead: Mystery, time travel, suspense, friendship, and hope, all in one nifty YA package.

Of Mice and Men: I won’t give away the twist, but let me tell you there’s more than one. Pain and friendship are the rivaling themes, and in order to fully understand the power and fear of knowing you have to do something you don’t want to, read John Steinbeck’s novel. 

Lord of the Rings: Just kidding. I really hate LOTR. 

And, the best book of them all, The Bible. This is the ultimate novel, created by the ultimate creator. God, thank you for your miraculous book of love and redemption. 

Now you know why I want to be a writer, why I need to be a writer, and why I am a writer. 

The End