“You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who had ever been alive.” – James Baldwin
Do you love reading? I do. In fact, I’ve always loved reading books. I don’t really have a favorite genre because I’ve found I enjoy historical literature, biography, drama, science fiction, poetry, romance, fiction, non-fiction, mystery, and (of course) all things children’s literature.
I realized this morning after finding this photo on Twitter asking people to name a book that has inspired them that I couldn’t name just one book. When considering this question closely, lots of great books came to mind. For instance, I love anything by Austen and Bronte. My favorite book as a child was E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web. There were two pivotal book for me as a teen: Zora Neale Hurtson’s Their Eyes Were Watching God and Nella Larsen’s Quicksand & Passing. I also love (and have read multiple times) Alice Walker’s The Color Purple. Other all-time favorites are Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, William Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom, Intruder in the Dust, and As I Lay Dying. Each of these books influenced and shaped my life. There hasn’t been a time in my life when reading was important and I hope there never will be. Which books have influenced your life? tlb
The Red Garden, Alice Hoffman
Thank your thehonkinggoose for sharing a book that influenced your life. tlb
That’s a long list! But the books that I’m currently reading that are inspiring me to be great is Successful Women Think Differently by Valorie Burton and 10 Traits of Highly Successful People by Mathew Knowles.
Thank you chasingsuccessblog for your comment! Believe it or not, that is the short (long) list. Thank you for sharing books that have inspired you. I’ve heard good things about Ms. Burton’s book so I’ve just added it to my Amazon cart. Thanks again! tlb
Oh I have so much more books to share with you. I’ve recently read “Creating a Successful Business From Scratch Naturally” by Miko Branch & Titi Branch (founders of Miss Jessie’s hair products) and “Become a Better You” by Joel Osteen. And while we’re at it, I’ll put in a plug for my own book lol: Englisha and Laurenthina: Best Friends Forever? You have a lot to read now.
This is amazing (I’ve also read the Osteen title and enjoyed it). Is your book available on Amazon? tlb
Nice! I actually met Joel Osteen at Barnes and Noble for the signing of his book Break Out! Yes! My book is available on amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and the amazon kindle. The characters are in their senior year of high school and the book addresses a lot of issues that teenagers go through such as bullying, friendship and relationship break-ups and make-ups.