Louisa Cornell, ladydawgfan, KateS and Kelly Ryan are the winners of Fun Contest Saturday!
Lori Austin's (aka Lori Handeland) An Outlaw in Wonderland has been named one of Publisher Weekly's Best Summer Books of 2013!!
A big CONGRATULATIONS to Goddesses Lori Austin (Lori Handeland) and Sabrina Jeffries for being named as RITA finalists for their historical romances BEAUTY AND THE BOUNTY HUNTER and A LADY NEVER SURRENDERS!
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Some might scoff at the idea of a book changing a life. All of us here know that those who do are non-readers. Because we have all experienced the life changing book.
The first book I remember that changed my life was LITTLE HOUSE IN THE BIG WOODS. It’s the first time I remember wanting to BE a character in a book. I wanted to be Laura. I pretended to be her all the time. From those books came my lifelong interest in the American West. The first book I ever wrote and published was a western.
The next book that changed everything was SHADOW OF THE LYNX by Victoria Holt. Adventure, mystery, an exotic locale. This gothic got me hooked on them and as a result, I’ve always gravitated to the darker stories and the first person point of view, which led to my writing BLUE MOON.
THE STAND by Stephen King led me to horror novels–vampires and werewolves and ghosts and firestarters. I loved them all and I wanted to write about them too.
MACBETH showed me that classics didn’t have to be boring. Shakespeare is funny and sad, joyous and tragic. The language is beautiful, lyrical, memorable. There’s a reason his work is still 
taught, performed and enjoyed. He’s a classic because well . . . he’s a classic.
GUILTY PLEASURES by Anita Blake enthralled me. Two heroes that neither Anita nor I could decide between, a kick butt heroine with a smart mouth, another world that existed parallel to the one we know in a familiar midwestern city. I couldn’t wait to write something similar and The Phoenix Chronicles were born.
LORD OF SCOUNDRELS by Loretta Chase had a hero that broke my heart, a heroine who was so fantastic I wanted to be her (I still do) and situations that were so fresh and new I couldn’t stop reading the book. I still can’t. That book gave me a pinnacle to shoot for in my writing. I’ll probably never reach it, but it gives me something to aim at.
ONE FOR THE MONEY by Janet Evanovich sent me searching for other books that could make me laugh so hard I cried. Until I discovered Evanovich I can’t remember reading for the pure pleasure of laughing and nothing more.
What books have changed your life?
I’ll be giving away three autographed ARCs (Advanced Reading Copies) of ZOMBIE ISLAND, my take on Shakespeare’s THE TEMPEST, with vampires and werewolves and zombies–oh my! Three winners will be chosen at random from those who comment today.
For me it was also the Anita Blake series along with Merry Gentry series by LKH. Where else would I find that fabulous combination of a heroine that I can empathise with, heroes that I can lust after and sex hot enough to steam my sheets. Then there is The Chronicles of Narnia series. Aslan is such a wonderful being and I really pitied Susan for losing her faith. I fell in love with The Little Prince when I read a section of it in Torey Hayden’s book One Child (a tear jerker by itself) and so I just had to get TLP. That reminds me I really need to get another copy (I gave my last copy to a friend for Christmas). Then there is Sherrilyn Kenyon’s novels, I bawled with Acheron and Bad Moon Rising and I also cried with Dewey by Vicki Myron. Seriously, Dewey will grip your heart and leave you wiping the tears from your eyes if you are a soft touch for heart moving cat stories (I admit it that I am that soft touch even if I don’t often admit it).
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 5:07 am.
I read Dewey. But the one that really had me bawling was Marley and Me. Oy.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:48 am.
There is a sequel to Dewey called The Nine Lives of Dewey. A total tear jerker also. Getting all weepy on a bus heading home is so not cool (I know, I did it last year when I got the book).
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 11:33 am.
Lord of the Rings Trilogy JRR Tolkien- magical fantasy world, wars, hobbits, elves, good vs evil
Kahil Gibran- beautiful sayings about life, love, marrige and children
Shel Silversteen’s beautiful poetry in Where the Sidewalk Ends and life’s lesson in The Giving Tree
Dr Zhivago- Boris Pasternak- love triangle set against the back drop of the Russian Revolution
Shogun- James Clavell- History of Japan and the strife between the Shoguns for power and control
Linda Howard’s White Lies -unique writingstory told via in a diary format , hero comatose, good vs bad guys
Karen Robard’s Walking After Midnight- suspenseful kidnapping and chase through the Tennessee mountains, good vs bad always in question
Anne of Green Gables-LM Montgomery
Nora Robert’s Chesapeake series
Elizabeth Lowell- A Woman Without Lies
LaVyrle Spencer – Forgiving – the book that started my love for all things romance
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 7:02 am.
Love Anne of Green Gables and Nora’s Chesapeake series.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:04 am.
Ah, LaVyrle. Such great books. Hummingbird was my fave.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:49 am.
Gotta agree with Hummingbird!
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:03 pm.
Shogun is one of my favorites also. I took Japanese history in college that covered the Tokugawan period and was fascinated by it all.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 11:20 am.
I bawled with Forgiving. I think that I have it floating around in my bookcases somewhere.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 11:29 am.
Siddhartha (I think that’s how you spell it Herman Hesse. I read it over and over, as soon as I”d finish it, I’d start it again (I mean, turning fromt he back page to the front. About 8 times). The prose is spare and the story was so profound I thought. It changed the way I looked at the world and I wanted to find that kind of serenity.
Stranger in a Strange Land but Robert Heinlein. I believe it was the first thing I read by him and it was amazing. I became a fan for life with just that one book. Of course I subseuently went out and bought everything I could find that he’d ever written, but that one started it and kick-started my love for sci-fi.
I wish I remembered my first romance novel but I’ve been reading them forever (my sister and I used to steal them out of my Mom’s closet and read them in secret before we were strictly old enough). Again, lifelong love. But The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer. That was thefirst book I can really remember that made me want to be the heroine. She’s madcap and managing and audacious and I love her still.
I’m sure there are more, but those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 7:53 am.
I remember reading Siddhartha but I can’t remember what it was about. Ack.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:49 am.
I’m having a hard time pin pointing specific books that changed my life, but I can definitely think of the ones that I reread till the covers fell off.
Jane Eyre- I’ve read this many time since I first read it on a flight to Switzerland in High School. It’s my favorite classic story (and my mom’s favorite as well.) As a result, I’ve seen every movie, tv and live version I come across. <3 Edward Rochester.
Into the Wind, Song of the Sea and Weather the Storm by Jean Ferris- This trilogy is a YA pirate series during the war of 1812. It was the first amazing pirate novel I read that took place during one of my favorite bits of history. This was the series that caused my friends to buy me a bunch of novels including Sabrina's The Pirate Lord which started my love affair with Romance Novels. I should point out that my love affair with pirate history had been since childhood.
Off the top of my head I can't think of any big life changers.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:11 am.
I was the same way with Jane Eyre. We had to read it in 8th grade and by the time everyone else finished I think I’d read it 3 or 4 times. Loved it.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:50 am.
Oh wow there are so many books that I’m going to have a hard time pinpointing them. Number one for me is Dear John by Nicholas Sparks. I’ve never been affected by a book like I was by that one. I’ve read and re-read and re-read it. I love the fact that this is a man writing these books with so much emotion. You never see that. Chesapeake Bay series by Nora Roberts was another because it taught you how many ways a family could be made and how strong their loyalty and love was for one another related by blood or not. Stephen King merrily led me to the Shining but my favorite was Duma Key. There was something about that book that would not let go until the last word. For flat out laughter it’s Jill Shalvis all the way. I’ve never laughed so hard in my life. J.R.Ward and the Black Dagger brotherhood. I’ve never fallen so hard for a group of men as I have for these. The wonderful, wonderful thing though is all the books yet waiting out there and the ones to be written that will shape, change you and make you think of things in a totally different way.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:28 am.
The Nora book I remember best was Honest Illusions. It was so different at the time.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:52 am.
It was Gone with the Wind for me. I was just a kid when I read it, but I was blown away!
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 9:07 am.
I was just watching this movie the other day. I don’t think I’ve ever read the book.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 9:12 am.
I have to say that I’m one of those people that, although I love to read, I have never been able to read Gone with the Wind. I have always loved the film and have it on VHS and DVD, but I have never been able to get through even the first chapter. I guess because I can recite the dialogue of the film, the book was too detailed for me.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 10:29 am.
Julie, more evidence we are teh same person. I have tried–even as recently as a couple of weeks ago–and can never get into it. Much to the chagrin of my mother, who thinks everyone should read Gone With the Wind.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 10:34 am.
I read it when I moved to The South—figured it was my duty—and it was good. It’s a book that requires patience, but it eventually catches you up. In no universe is Scarlett a sympathetic heroine.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 10:50 am.
It’s true that she’s unsympathetic. You do want to kick her in the patooty. But I so love her lines (at least in the movie version).
“O Rhett, where shall I go, what shall I do?” and after Rhett’s famous damn reply
“I won’t think about it now. I’ll think about it tomorrow. Tomorrow is another day.” Teary face, handkerchief, close up and swelling Tara theme. Cut
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 7:18 pm.
I read it and finished it pretty quickly too.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 6:52 pm.
Hi Lori,
Books that changed my life: Cinderella…made me believe in magic, dreams, and happily ever afters
Nancy Drew: Helped me through those “tween” years by giving me an escape when I needed it, also sparked my love for reading a series.
“Are You There God, It’s me Margaret” – showed me books can deal with real life situations in a heartwarming way.
“Shanna” – introduced me to the love of historical romance and very hot heros.
“The Bible”- another love story, between God and his people. Changed my life once I read it.
The Mitford Series – light and heartwarming series that made me laugh and filled me with peace.
Twilight series – Young love so beautifully portrayed. Two people willing to give up everything dear to them for the other.
Eloisa James’ Fairy Tales – Fairy tales can happen to real women.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 9:40 am.
Are You There God-a classic.
I remember very clearly carrying SHANNA around sophmore year of high school. Loved that book.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 10:06 am.
Oh My gosh!! I so agree with Cinderella. Fave book as a child.
Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret was the first real book I really LOVED on my own that I read. Read it in 6th grade.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:05 pm.
There’ve been so many books that have enthralled me. The ones that stick out for me as you ask this question is:
The Handmaid’s Tale – by Margaret Atwood. For me, it attacked the left wing and the right wing. Made me think about so many different positions that I used to have it as required reading in a college course I taught.
The Duke and I – by Julia Quinn. I really liked that book and all the Bridgerton books; but, that one I’ve probably read 100 times (at least).
Naked in Death – by JD Robb – love Roarke and Eve
Guilty Pleasures – by Laurel K. Hamilton – The Anita Blake books are so very good!
Presumed Innocent – by Scott Turow – I was so surprised in that book. I thought I must have misread.
The Bourne Identity – by Robert Ludlum – the movie isn’t really close to the book – that one got me so very interested in espionage stories.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 10:08 am.
I’ve never read the Bourne books but I did like the movies.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 10:14 am.
Gotta give props to the In Death series too!
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:06 pm.
I love books for different reasons,
Othello the humanity and.betrayal and manipulation. To “love not wisely but all too well”
Gone With The Wind, not wanting to end up like Scarlett, to have a chance at HEA in front of me and deny it to chase an illusion..great fear of mine
Whitney, my Love by Judith McNaught, my first romance that got me hooked
Edgar Allan Poes works and Mary Shelleys Frankenstein gave such deep depth to thriller, horror. The way they wrote and the humanity given to the characters
David Copperfield, I think that Dickens and his characters amazing, what an amazing first line ever.
Anne of Green Gables, I was red headed and freckled finding my friend in Anne.
Any and all fairy tales, I named my daughter after Sleeping Beauty, I think I am that “Disney” and fairy tale result, that prince, the power to overcome everything with love, the HEA
Non fiction choice, Women Who Run With Wolves. That gets into the stories that have touch us and their much deeper meaning upon us.
Doomesday Key, James Rollins is the new Michael Crichton, I love the way both write.
The Time Machine, Dune, The Game of Thrones ..fantasy.
Anything by Tolkien, good will overcome evil, and the strength that is needed in crisis can be found, each character pops off the page.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 10:27 am.
Oldest son just read all the Game of Thrones books. He loved them.
Loved Frankenstein. Also Dracula.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 10:40 am.
Yep, Whitney my Love, can’t go wrong with McNaught!
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:06 pm.
There are so many books that have meant so much to me, but the ones that stand out in my memory are all historical. go figure. Harry of Monmouth, by A.M. Maugham. Out of print now, but fabulous story about King Henry V (I think it was the vth). The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart. Here Be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman. And that Iris Johanssen book, whose title I can never remember — but it was the one that made me think I, too, could write historical romance. And I could!
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 10:38 am.
Ah, Mary Stewart. Another fave. Loved the Crystal Cave. Also Nine Coaches Waiting.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 10:41 am.
Sandra Brown’s Mirror Image was one of those for me. The twists and turns never stopped and it was masterfully done.
The Born In trilogy by Nora Roberts. There was such a range of emotions in those stories, and the characters were so rich, it was as though it was playing out in front of my eyes. I could just SEE Maggie working with her glass….
The Harry Potter series was such a wonderful blend of fantasy and reality, in that it touched on so many real issues that kids deal with today, but the element of fantasy was amazing. I initially bought them for my daughter and was reading them to her, but I enjoyed them so much I gobbled them up within days of their release.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding, but not in a good way.
I did NOT like the story and did NOT like the movie, and was miserable through the entire section in English class. The guys in class loved it, girls hated it.
On the other hand, I thought Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men was so well written and descriptive of the times in the 1920′s. The story was SO terribly sad, but the book itself was so captivating, I couldn’t help but be moved. I can’t say I loved the book because the subject was devastasting in so many ways, but it taught me a lot about the values of the time.
And, this is a play so not technically a book, but I absolutely LOVED Pygmalion, and love My Fair Lady with Audrey Hepburn.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 10:43 am.
I remember being freaked out by Lord Of the Flies too.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 10:50 am.
Yep, total freak out as a junior in high school…Lord of the Flies was wild.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:07 pm.
Piles and piles of books have impacted my life, changing me for good.
The first book I remember that made me sob so hard I couldn’t take a breath was BEAUTIFUL JOE. It was a novel about a dog who lived such an abused, horrible life, but had such a sweetness about him that no man could rob him off—starting to tear up just writing that! Growing up with a houseful of dogs the way I did, this book just slammed me right in the heart.
I read THE CRYSTAL CAVE (and sequels) and CAMELOT in the same month or two and that spawned my unflagging love of Britain. CAMELOT was about 800 pages, my first Big Book, and I remember so vividly the panic I started to feel when I got to page 600. Only 200 pages left!? What was I going to DO when the book was over? It was the first time I was immersed in the world of a book and didn’t want to come up for air.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 10:47 am.
Did you read Incredible Journey? I remember loving that tale of two dogs and a cat finding their way home through the wilderness so heartrending.
I love it when I don’t want a book I’m reading to ever end.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 10:58 am.
Oh, yes. I love Incredible Journey. Those poor pets! Finding their way home! Tear-jerker!
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 12:11 pm.
I am sure there were plenty of books that have influenced or changed me in one way or another. Today though, all I can think of is a book by Robyn Carr. In her book “A Virgin River Christmas,” she had a short dedication to her family. In it she basically thanked them for letting her ‘escape’ to her own little world so she could get the thoughts from her head and onto paper. Now that is not word for word, but you get my jest, right?
The words she wrote in that dedication struck me. I haven’t been the same since. Throughout my life I always had little stories and thoughts running through my pea for a brain. I just chalked them up to me being half crazy! After I read that dedication though I decided to start writing myself. Every evening I would try to spend at least an hour writing. Finally, after quite some time I finished my first novel. Now I still think that I am half crazy to believe I could one day be a published author, but I eat, sleep, and breathe it.
So thank you Robyn Carr! Without that dedication I would probably be half way to the looney bin!
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 10:58 am.
Congrats on finishing your first novel. That’s a big hurdle that many don’t manage. Good luck!
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 11:14 am.
Awesome, just finishing it is an accomplishment on its own!
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:08 pm.
I tghink I am probly in the minority with my books but the Twilight saga is the one set of books that really did change my life. When my sister left me with her copy of Twilight, I wasn’t even planning on reading it. Too much hype had been made of the upcoming movie. One day, I had run out of stuff to read so I picked it up. OH MY GOD! I devoured that book. While reading it, I began to feel things I’d not felt in a while. Realization hit that I’d been battling depression (post pardum) for the prior 4 years and I didn’t even realize it. In all, I have read that series 26 times. It seemed to be my lifeline there for a while. My DH had no idea why I kept reading it over and over but he didn’t complain because I actually started to seem happier. Finally he broke down and read them too. He didn’t get what all the obsession was about but at least he got to see where my head was hanging out
I have many favorite series but that one was the profound lifechanger.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 11:31 am.
Definitely life changing. How wonderful that the series helped so much.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 11:58 am.
I guess the book that changed my life is “Gone With The Wind” it was the book that made me fall in love with romance novels:)
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 11:43 am.
It’s a classic . . .
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 11:58 am.
#1 Life changing book – The Five Love Languages. Other books I couldn’t live without – Shanna, Flame and Flower, Wolf and the Dove, all got me hooked on romance. Since then, do not take away my Judith McNaught,Judy Garwood or Sabrina Jeffries or things could get ugly
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 11:45 am.
Ok, It’s monday a.m. I meant Julie Garwood
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 11:47 am.
Gotta agree with the McNaughts and Garwoods!
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:09 pm.
Have not heard of The Five Love Languages. Will have to look that one up.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 11:59 am.
I remember the Little Golden Books given to me when I turned two and quite sick with the measles (or so I’m told) that I wouldn’t put down. I wouldn’t open any other presents. That became my obsession with books.
When I was older and could really read grownup books, I would pick anything I could find off my aunt’s nightstand and gobble it up. It was my first exposure to Victoria Holt’s books and Frank Yerby’s The Foxes of Harrow.
But it also led me to my love of mysteries with the Travis McGee series by John D. MacDonald and Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer. Pretty heady stuff for a ten-year-old.
More recently Diamond Bay by Linda Howard, the Chesapeake Bay series by Nora Roberts, Tell Me No Lies by Elizabeth Lowell, The Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas, A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught are ones I can pull of the top of my head, but there are so many more.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 11:48 am.
I can still see all my Little Golden Books lined up in a row on the shelf.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 12:00 pm.
THE BONE COLLECTOR is a book that changed my life. I can no longer get into a taxicab without first checking to be sure that I can unroll the window and unlock the door from inside the car.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 11:55 am.
Ha! Probably always a good idea, Susan.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 12:00 pm.
Sometimes an overactive imagination is a curse.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 5:40 pm.
I totally know what you mean about Laura Ingalls. I love those stories so much that I wanted to name my daughter Laura. DH was on board with this, but when she was born, she just didn’t look like a “Laura”, so we went with something else. Turns out, we couldn’t name our kids without seeing them yet. But that is a different topic
Judith McNaught’s “Remember When” is still a favorite. It got me started on the bigger romances and down the path of romances with heart, soul and humor. Before, I was just reading my mom’s old stuff. While some of it was great, most of it was a little trite.
“One for the Money” changed our lives, too. Dad and I read it when it came out. Then, I found the second and third books when I was in college. I bout them right there, and took them home to dad. We were both so excited that there was a series. Every time a new one comes out, I think of my dad and how much he enjoyed them, too.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 11:57 am.
Oh how fun that you got to share that series with your dad!
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 12:01 pm.
I like all 3 of your choices… I like anita blake… especially the early ones… Stephanie Plum is always funny…
I would have to say Julia Quinn got me into romances…Love her Bridgerton books
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 12:03 pm.
Definitely early Anita for me too.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 12:27 pm.
The book that made me realize the power of imagery and words was Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree. It was read at my grandpa’s funeral and I still can’t read it without getting a little weepy and thinking of him.
I don’t know about life-changing, but the book that set me on the path to loving romances was Kathleen Woodiwiss’ Ashes in the Wind. Even after reading thousands of romances, that is still my favorite.
Most recently, When She Woke by Hillary Jordan is one of the most thought-provoking novels I’ve read in quite some time. Definitely makes you stop and think. Great book group read!
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 12:06 pm.
I have When She Woke but haven’t read it yet.
Was at a funeral on Sat. where they were reading parts of the The Tell-Tale Heart. That was interesting.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 12:28 pm.
When the special edition of The Giving Tree came out recently, I gave a copy to my adult daughters. It was a staple in our house when they were little.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 12:36 pm.
You know, once I got my library card (at 4) I gobbled up books like they were hot fudge sundaes.
I remember the wonder at The Neverending Story and how it told the story in two different worlds. I fell in love with the mysteries of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot (after devouring Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldon) then came the wonders of Anne McCaffrey, Piers Anthony and Morgan Llewellyn, then the romance of Joanna Lindsey and Jude Deveraux balanced by the fascinating James Bond (the books.) I love that I learned I could go anywhere and experience anything.
I rarely remember titles, but I remember the feeling of new worlds and that spark of excitement when I can close my eyes and picture the world and the characters I am reading.
So while I cannot remember a particular book, I choose the library for my “Books that changed my life” selection.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 12:11 pm.
I have a hard time with titles too. I’m usually calling things “the book where this and this and this happened.”
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 12:29 pm.
I think the book that changed me was the Harry Potter series. I wasn’t much of a reader and my boss loaned me the first book in the series. I wasn’t too keen on reading it but with her excitement and quiddich stories, I figured I would give it a try. I had the whole series (at least what was out at the time) within a week. (I also have the movies). Next a friend loaned me the first Twilight book. Yep, wasn’t sure I wanted to read about Vampires but once again I was at the store buying them all up. Next up was Cassandra Clares Mortal Instruments. That was a tough one. I wasn’t sure I wanted to keep reading after book 1 but everyone said the issue resolves itself and it did.
I graduated from YA books when I was at Target and saw a book by Rachel Gibson. I loved the cover and it sounded like a fun book. So began my journey with romance. And yes, I have all hers too!
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 12:38 pm.
Youngest son got started reading with Harry Potter. I’m forever grateful.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 1:46 pm.
I have always been a reader. I stopped during my child bearing/rearing years and picked it back up about 4 years ago. I was into mostly mystery, murder, gov. conspiracy and the sort. Picking up an Anita Blake book one day completely changed my outlook on reading. There was this whole other world out there to read and I never paid attention. It was then that my obsession with reading took hold and I haven’t been able to stop. I LOVE the paranormal world!!!
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 12:42 pm.
I felt the same way about Anita Blake books.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 1:47 pm.
I have so many books that have changed my life. One of them is Anne Frank, which really opened my eyes to a new era with a female character I could relate to and live her world through her words. Nancy Drew, Little House on the Prairies, Little Women and Anne of Green Gables have also touched me.
Karen Marie Moning introduced me to the urban fantasy genre and my first forray into the paranormal world began with YA ficton (before there was a YA genre and paranormal took it by storm). One of my earliest historical romance was by Brenda Joyce and Julie Garwood for romantic suspense. I’m so glad I took a chance and read out of my comfort zone because I now enjoy every genre and never lack for reading. I just wished I coudl read faster.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 1:39 pm.
I wish I could read faster too. I am SO behind!
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 1:47 pm.
Yep, Diary of Anne Frank was a great read. And I like KMM books too.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:10 pm.
I assume we are not talking about paradigm shifts as in the Bible which despite or perhaps because of my taste for romance remains the number one life changing book for me.
That being said, The Masqueraders and These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer were and are the standards by which I judge all Georgian historical romances and The Grand Sophy and Friday’s Child were my favorites of her Regencies. Oh what a way she had with the slang of the day. Her characters spoke it as to the manner born. I discovered her as a teenager and ate up the library offerings. Loved Jane Austin and particularly Persuasion for the inner workings of the gentry.
Also loved Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart (Nine Coaches Waiting) and Barbara Michaels (Ammie Come Home and all of her other books) for the dark side of Gothic.
The Once and Future King and the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings were teenage friends on the Fantasy front (TLOTR trilogy was popularly published under US Copyright in 1965 when I was “gasp” 13.
For pure historical romance, I credit Mr. Impossible and Lord of Scoundrels, Slightly Dangerous, The Romantic, and My Lady Notorious for waking me to the charms of the genre and they are still in my stacks.
Wow! Thanks, Lori for starting this walk down memory lane.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 3:27 pm.
Once we get started it’s hard to stop isn’t it?
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 4:08 pm.
What a difficult question, and so many answers.
Probably the first books that changed my life were the young adults’ novels by the Norwegian author Berte Bratt which were very popular in early eighties’ Germany. In them, the main characters travelled to East Africa, Australia, Alaska etc. and they made me want to see these countries, too. And I achieved to see at least some of them, always with the books in the back of my mind.
In my twenties I discovered the mystery novels of Charlotte McLeod, first in German and then, when later books were not translated immediately, I started reading the books in English. Since then, I never returned to reading translations from English and I have to thank her for that.
The last book so far that changed my life was “The Devil in Winter” by Lisa Kleypas. I hadn’t read a historical romance for about 20 years when I happened upon this book in a local bookstore and bought it as a holiday read. And I loved it (Sebastian is still one of my favourite heros), it started my by now extensive collection of historical, contemporary and paranormal romances – definitely life-changing and in a very good way.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 3:44 pm.
That’s what I always loved about Victoria Holt–all the different countries she used for settings–Australia and Egypt. Back then England was an adventure to me. Still is.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 4:09 pm.
Is Lisa Kleypas great or what!? I love all her books. Out of those four books, The Devil in Winter was my fave too. And I liked A Wallflower Christmas as well…
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:11 pm.
Well, let’s see. I was talking about it just this week–the books of fairy tales that my parents had that I fell in love with. I remember one tale in particular–”The Selfish Giant,” which is, coincidentally, by Oscar Wilde. It was my absolute favorite and always makes me cry. No wonder I had to have Oscar for my comic!
King Arthur and Lorna Doone made me fall in love with British historical romances, even before I read my first genre romance. Little Women taught me that it was the characters that matter. Barbara Cartland made me fall in love with the Regency (although I don’t remember any specific titles). I was blown away by the Chronicles of Narnia when I was in college. It taught me to enjoy speculative fiction (or rather, it taught me how to turn my love of fairy tales into something more adult).
I could go on and on, but I have a book to write! I will say, however, that I too adore Lord of Scoundrels and always will.
Oh, and I should mention that I loved Zane Grey growing up, so I have a soft spot for Westerns as well. *G* Can’t wait to read yours!
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 4:22 pm.
Thanks, Sabrina!
One of my favorite westerns was on by Patricia Gaffney–can’t remember the title, again, but the hero and heroine were con artists. It was so original and wonderful. Another book I wish I’d written!
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 4:52 pm.
The Anita Blake series and the Twilight series.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 4:26 pm.
Yep!
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 4:53 pm.
I have to admit, I’ve cheated a little bit by reading everybody else’s comments before replying. The problem, I think, is that like Cheryl, I’ve always been a reader – I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t! But I’m going to attempt a few…
The Lorax – I know this is weird timing with the movie coming out, but this was one of my mother’s favorite books to read to me, because she’s an environmentalist. Still, the books condensed what were often “chores” for me into reasons why I should love my mom’s green side.
Nancy Drew – My love of secret passages and coded messages translated into a love of historic buildings, which translated into a love of history, which wound up being my major in college. Plus, Ned Nickerson was my first ideal guy.
A Wrinkle In Time / The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe – Again, I read every book in both of these series with my mother, and they were the first books that taught me to think philosophically. Later in life, I read other books by these authors, and was blown away by their ability to write for adults as well as children.
Nora Roberts / Mary Higgins Clark – the heroines in their books are often sophisticated, classy women who know their minds and have seen the world (even if they’ve never left their hometown). The idea of the woman I wanted to become was formed a lot by those women.
And I’ll quite while I’m ahead, I think
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 5:09 pm.
Great books and great reasons!
Dr. Seuss rocks always!
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 5:31 pm.
Lord of Scoundrels is a fave, too. Love that book.
I also loved Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonflight and that book really changed my idea of what made a good book. It had adventure, and excitement, plot twists and turns, and a great romance. I still sigh when I think about that book!
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 6:24 pm.
Never read Anne Mcaffrey but have heard nothing but good things.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 6:37 pm.
Wow, what a trip to see all these books that I didn’t even remember that I loved (like the Diary of Anne Frank and Are you There God, It’s me Margaret, which I still have a copy of along with Deenie!)
What got me started with romance is Julie Garwood’s “The Lyons’ Lady” and Amanda Quick’s “Ravished”. Wonderful books that got me hooked on historical. I was a terrible snob and would only read historicals.
Then I picked up an Elizabeth Lowell western, thinking it was historical, but it was contemporary, and SHE got me hooked on those!
So many great books here! Thanks Lori and all the posters!
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:14 pm.
I remember when I first found Amanda Quick. Fantastic!
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:59 pm.
I remember ordering Pippi Longstocking and Little Women in 5th grade through my teacher. Read them over and over again. Didn’t read much until after I was out of school as reading seemed more like work than for pleasure.
Then I started back up by reading The Thorn Birds, Sophie’s Choice, The Juror by George Dawes Green (book was fantastic, the movie not so much), The Silence of the Lambs, Primal Fear by William Diehl (the movie was almost as good as the book!) Then of course there’s the Bridges of Madison County (hated the movie, sorry) and Like Water for Chocolate.
Then a co-worker introduced me to some romance novels. So began my love of historicals with Judith McNaught as my all-time favorite. ALL of her historicals are great and have read each one numerous times(Paradise is the only one I like of her contemporaries. It’s a shame she’s not writing historicals anymore!!!!)
Sandra Brown’s Mirror Image was fantastic but I truly loved A Breath of Scandal. I think that was the first book where I truly cried and felt emotional over the characters in a book. Excellent!
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:19 pm.
Oh, you reminded me of ordering books from the book club at school. I loved that!
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 9:00 pm.
Gone with the Wind – I was 11 yo. I read it again in college when I had huge gaps between classes. The book is so much better than the movie (and it’s not a romance.)
Touch the Sun by Cynthia Wright. my first romance? from a sack of my aunt’s books.
Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. got me started (it was a false start) on the classics.
Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser – first time a book made me cry.
Truly Madly Yours by Rachel Gibson- my first contemporary, recommended on Slake.com. It doubled my pool of available books to read.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 9:29 pm.
GWTW seems to be a fan fave!
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 8:21 am.
-Margerite Henry -Misty of Chincoteague – I loved all her books, but I loved this one the most.
-Pippy LongStocking – she was bold, brash and cheeky
-Trixie Beldon/Nancy Drew – the ultimate girl sleuths
-The Wolf and The Dove – loved the Knight hero, how he and love conquered all, still love reading about knight heros to this day. I read every book by this author!
-Jude Deveraux’s Highland novels – I felt swept away by her books and Scottish heros
-Thea Harrison – Dragon Bound is my most recent favorite read, she added something extra special to this story – I’ve read and re-read it!
-Pioneer Woman Cookbook – home cooked recipes, pictures from the frontier, humor, lots of fun – she has a website too, she just makes me laugh and she’s from Oklahoma like me!
…….so many books…..so little time……..
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 10:49 pm.
Oh, I’d forgotten all the horse books! I was a Margarite Henry fan too. And Black Stallion, remember those?
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 8:22 am.
I’m a fan of the Anita Blake series too!
And I love Kim Harrison’s series as well.
The books that changed my life are :
Pride and Prejudice (I read it at age 9 and decided I wanted to be a romance writer. It has taken me a while to get back here, but I’m here to stay.)
Jane Eyre
To Kill a Mockingbird – As an Alabama girl this book struck a great chord in me.
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote – I still love true crime novels and it is all his fault!
Lord of Scoundrels for all the reasons you mentioned Lori!
Flowers from the Storm for similar reasons.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy. I was amazed at the power of words to create and entire world.
The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner for the sheer beauty of his prose.
Posted on February 27, 2012 at 11:39 pm.
Laura Kinsale is one of my favorites too.
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 8:25 am.
Pride and Prejudice and Fahrenheit 451
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 12:05 am.
Fahrenheit 451. I remember it well.
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 8:26 am.
The Bible
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Secret Garden
Mary Stewart’s & Victoria Holt’s books
Pat Cochran
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 12:15 am.
Mockingbird-one of the all time classics.
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 8:27 am.
The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley is one of my favorite books of all time. Even though it is technically a childrens book, I loved it even more when I re-read it as an adult.
Yet another “childrens book,” Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine is such a great romance.
Love the Twilight series, but actually like Meyer’s other book The Host better. Took me a while to get into it, but once I did I stayed up all night to finish it and then the next day started reading it again.
Don’t read a lot of non-fiction, but I really liked The Birth Order Book by Kevin Leman. Helped me understand why my siblings and I react to things so differently.
Last but not least, have to give a big thanks to Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series for reviving my love of romance novels.
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 12:15 am.
I enjoyed The Host more too.
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 8:28 am.
The Scarlet Letter was the first book I ever read in school without fudging it or cliffnotes.
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 12:20 am.
I think I did use the cliff notes on the Scarlet Letter!
Posted on February 28, 2012 at 8:29 am.