Over the past few months I’ve been meaning, and largely failing, to share some details of myself and my writing on this blog. It’s hard to find the time, what with writing so much to get the books done, and the time demands of two very lovely children. But more than that, it’s also hard to think of a way to do so that feels like it might be actually interesting for people to read. So I’ve come up with this: Ten books that shaped my life. Feel free to judge if it is interesting or not!
Books have been important to me for as long as I can remember. I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was a young child, and I still have to pinch myself sometimes when I realise I actually am one now. But over my life certain books have had a particular impact. And my idea is that revealing those books, and why they’re important might help readers to understand a little more about me and where I’m coming from. I’m also hoping that readers might be encouraged to leave replies saying what books have been important for them. So I’d be thrilled if there are any comments (and it doesn’t have to be ten books, it took me ages to come up with this list!). Plus it would give me some very handy reading recommendations (my kindle is charged and ready…)
I thought about putting them in rank order – but decided it make more sense to put them in rough date order. So beginning with what I read when I was young, and moving though to more recent reads. So without further ado – the ten books that shaped me (or nine books and a film).
Tintin and Asterix – All of them
Billions of blue blistering barnacles. Tintin and Asterix were my bridge from comics to books. OK, I also read Enid Blyton, Biggles, Arthur Ransome, Willard Price, Jeeves and Wooster – and plenty more, but looking back, it was Tintin and Asterix that I remember most fondly. I loved both series. I began reading them before I understood that there was more to them that just a funny story. Asterix is rich in ancient history, Tintin in politics, geography and religion. If I occasionally get an answer right when watching the ludicrously difficult game show University Challenge, it’s usually because of something half-remembered from summer days sitting in a corner with a Tintin or an Asterix book.
Blood Orange by Sam Llewellyn
I bet you won’t have heard of this one. It has one review on Amazon (two words – “good read”). It’s a slim, fast-plotted little novel from the 1980s about a man who races fast catamarans. It makes this list completely by accident, it had a defining impact upon me only because I read it so much, which in turn happened simply because it hung around in my room, when I was far less proactive in finding new things to read. I don’t know how this book got there – perhaps someone gave it to me, perhaps I borrowed it from a library and never returned it – but it was there, the subject matter appealed, so I read it over and over. And then I read it some more. Looking back it’s obvious why it spoke to me. It’s about the sea, and adventures, and danger. The plot includes the area where I was then growing up, in the muddy estuaries and brown sea of the UK’s east coast. The protagonist lives on England’s much more affluent South Coast, but came to my part of the world to buy a boat – and he was highly disparaging about my part of the world and the people who live there – just as I was then. Is it any coincidence I then went to live on the bluer, fresher waters of the South Coast, just a few miles from where this book is set? Probably…
Secret Water, by Arthur Ransome
He’s more known for Swallows & Amazons, and the awkward name he gave to one of the girls in his stories (Titty, which made me cringe even when I was eleven years old, but apparently was based on a real person with that name). But I identified most with Secret Water. The main reason for this is the book is actually set a few miles from where I lived, in the muddy, marshy, near-deserted mixture of islands and tidal basins known locally as Walton Backwaters (but Hamford Water on real maps of the area). In the book, a gang of kids in boats get dumped there for a few weeks one summer and told to sail around, camp, and generally explore it. And of course they come across smugglers, mysteries, chart new routes around the islands…
As a kid I so wanted to be dumped there in the same way.
To be fair, my parents were keen members of a dinghy sailing club nearby and did a brilliant job getting me involved. In particular my dad, brother, myself and a few friends made up a gang of obsessive windsurfers. When the wind was in a particular direction, and the tide high, we used to go to the backwaters and sail there. I would read and re-read Secret Water, marveling that a real author must have been to this place and known it well, just like I did.
In a weird coincidence, years later I did actually find smugglers in Ransome’s Secret Water. I was camping with friends on the edge of Hamford Water. In the middle of the night, a boat came and unloaded (probably) bales of marijuana. Unlike the heroes of the story, I didn’t race to tell the police. By then I was a teenager – the simple black and white world of children’s stories had kind of blurred by that stage. Drug smugglers weren’t necessarily bad any more, and in the films I was watching then they were pretty cool (too much Quentin Tarantino). Anyway, I couldn’t go to the police, I was a teenager, rough camping with friends on a summer night – I was blitzed on cider.
Shogun, Tai Pan & Whirlwind, by James Clavell
I discovered James Clavell’s door-stopper novels about ‘the East’ in my teens. They are truly amazing books, and probably the first really long books I ever read. I think my mum was into them at the time, hence they, like Blood Orange, appeared around the house and I picked them up. Shogun tells the story of a sixteenth century British seafarer who is shipwrecked in Japan, learns the language, and comes to play a part in the internal politics and warfare there, a rich and complex world that barely anyone in the West even knew existed. And I certainly didn’t. Tai Pan tells what happens a few hundred years later as powerful, ambitious men struggled to establish Hong Kong as the world’s most important trading hub. Whirlwind is less well known, but maybe my favourite. It’s the story of three weeks in Iran – the three weeks of the Islamic revolution when religious fanatics took over the country, killing, imprisoning and expelling anyone who didn’t fit with their view of the world. It focuses on how a western helicopter rental firm tries to react, pulling out its British and American pilots, even those who have lived there so long they have Iranian families.
The books are totally immersive. You really feel like you’re living in the culture and time that you’re reading about. And when you stop reading – come up for air – I remember how my real life at the time, living by then in rural Suffolk, always seemed so colourless and bland by comparison.
I’m pretty sure it’s due to James Clavell that I decided to make my heroes in The Wave at Hanging Rock the owners of a firm of helicopters. That just seemed like the coolest thing ever. Maybe I would even have been a pilot myself. If I wasn’t scared of flying.
The Beach, by Alex Garland
I read Alex Garland’s coming-of-age-in-Thailand classic as I was coming-of-age on a flight to Thailand. And I wasn’t the only one. It seemed everyone else on the plane was reading it too (This sparked an ambition of mine. One day I want to be on a plane and notice that someone is reading one of my books…) I was going there to teach English, not backpacking, or in search of a mystical secret beach, and I probably credit James Clavell for sparking my interest in the Far East. I taught with my then girlfriend in the strange, tropical-industrial area of Sri Racha (where the famous sauce comes from). I wouldn’t honestly say the book is a classic, but it came out just at the right time for me, and I think Garland captures the spirit of youthfulness and yearning for adventure pretty well. I also love that in the book, unlike the film version, his hero doesn’t get the girl.
The Magus, by John Fowles
I read this book a few years after my time overseas teaching English, but if I had read it before, I’m quite sure it would have made me want to teach abroad. It tells the story of Nicolas, a love-bored young man (as opposed to love-sick – he’s tired of a girlfriend in England and wants to escape her) who becomes a teacher on the island of Crete. Once he’s there, he’s befriended by a bizarre, rich old man. Which is curious for the reader, but the real kick is this. Every time our hero goes to visit the man, he gets glimpses of the stunningly beautiful girl who seems to live in his grounds, or work for him, or is somehow connected – we never know quite what, or why. But just as it drives Nicolas crazy, so it does for the reader (or at least for me). Nicolas becomes more and more desperate to find out about the girl, and just what the hell is going on. So does the reader.
I think it’s the first book I ever read where the plot becomes so twisted that there simply is no possible resolution. And even though Fowles revised the ending years after he published it, it still doesn’t really satisfy. There is no explanation that really explains the way Nicolas is hooked and played with.
Despite this, if I had to pick one book as my favourite ever, it’d have to be The Magus.
Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn
The first time I tried to read this I gave up after fifty pages or so. But as the hype around it grew I tried again, and this time I got to the first twist. Wow! I finally got it. But because by then I had aspirations of writing myself, I took away a very specific point. As an author you’re allowed to lie to your readers! Actually that’s not quite right. As an author writing a character the character can lie – because people do lie, all the time, to themselves, and to other people. About the little things and the big things. This single realisation probably did more to shape the plots of what I’ve written so far than any other thought (most of my books involve characters who are not entirely honest with themselves and the reader). So thank you Gillian Flynn for that!
Breath, by Tim Winton
When I first began thinking about writing seriously – by which I mean getting beyond 5000 words before giving up – I secretly dreampt I would one day make my name by writing the classic surfing novel. My ambitions were set back, about ten years ago, when I discovered someone already had. Breath is the story of a pair of Aussie kids who grow up by the ocean and are taught to surf huge waves by a cranky ex-pro. It’s dark and mean and twisted, and to my mind it’s undisputed the best surf novel ever written (there isn’t a huge amount of competition, but it would be unjust not to mention that Kem Nun comes close with Tapping the Source, and In Search of Captain Zero by Allan Weisbecker is another contender).
My first attempt at the genre was called An Eye for a Wave. It features an aging surf photographer travelling the world with the tour of surf competitions, just as the change from film to digital photography takes hold. As such it mirrors my experience joining Boards (a popular windsurfing magazine) and picking up a camera at a similar time. So far An Eye for a Wave is unpublished. I keep meaning to dust the manuscript off and try and fix it. But there’s a lot to fix.
Long Standing Ambition, By Jono Dunnett
A bit of a plug this one. Long Standing Ambition was written by my brother, and describes his journey sailing his windsurf board alone, around Great Britain. In truth it was more the expedition he undertook that influenced me, rather than the book itself (which he wrote when he finished), but he completed the journey while I was struggling to finish my first published book (The Wave at Hanging Rock). It was very much a case of, if he can do that, then surely I can write two thousand words from the comfort and safety of my house. The book is good though, it was shortlisted for Amazon’s rather prestigious Storyteller award, which has a £20,000 first prize (I entered mine too, and never heard a peep from them!)
Anything and Everything by Bill Bryson
Anything and Everything isn’t a title by Bryson, although it could be, I just mean anything he’s written. I love Bill Bryson’s books. I love the way he can make something so mundane – a middle aged man wandering about a bit – into something so gripping and page-turning. I love the way he sets up his jokes, a long paragraph carefully describing something, only to dismiss it with a two-word swipe at the end. For my relatively undistinguished career as a magazine journalist, I blatantly plagiarized Bryson’s style and techniques.
And finally, I’m going to add one film. In fact, if people enjoy this post, I might do the same with films
Das Boot
Not the cut-down, submarine-light version, but the full, five-hour epic of pings, depth charges and sweaty, swarthy, bearded men crouching in their leaky creaking boat (boot) as the North Atlantic and the Second World War raged overhead. I must have watched this film, in full, twenty times. Granted, that was largely because we had a Betamax video player, and only two Betamax films (this and Flash Gordon). But even so. To my mind very few films deserve the title epic. This is one of them.
[Note: Since writing this I’ve been told that Das Boot was originally a book – of course it was, I can be very stupid sometimes. I’ve now read the book and it’s good… But I’d still pick the film for the full submariner experience!]
Your turn! Please use the comments box to let me know what books have shaped your life, and why…
🙂
Hello Gregg, thanks for your list of books that changed you and all the replies which has given me a fabulous list to draw from for my own reading. The first book I remember, probably because I loved it, is C S Lewis The lion the witch and the wardrobe and thence the whole Narnia series. I’m sure this gave me my love of the science fiction and fantasy genres for over 50 years. I, like many who have contributed to this, read a great deal but don’t feel that many have ‘changed my life’ as such. One author that has changed my thinking though is Graham Hancock; The sign and the seal, Fingerprints of the gods, America before, etc. I firmly believe that the established view of the ancient world is incorrect – perhaps only time will tell. Other authors that I read everything they publish (you are now on this list) Brandon Sanderson, Joe Abercrombie,
Raymond E Feist – I had to check my kindle, over 1000 books on it! to get this list. Steam punk has had a brief appearance too. That’s enough for now. Just working my way through your stand alone books after devouring the Rock Pools series and Wave at Hanging Rock. I love your endings, I’m not a fan of ‘happily ever after’ conclusions.
As a child, I devoured all books. What child reads Shakespeare for fun? I know. “Call of the Wild”by Jack London. “The Year of the Hungry Tiger” by John Gordon Davis. A book few have ever heard of but to me, the first book that showed that men could love deeply. And of course, a fabulous book that showed the scenario in Hong Kong, before it was returned to China. Anything by Daphne Du Maurier. To me, one of the most amazing authors the U.K. has ever produced. Then John Steinbeck and his South African equal, Herman Charles Bosman. A real life schoolteacher sentenced to death by hanging for murder, who writes with humour, and a deep perception. Pride and Prejudice. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Gone Girl. And I absolutely adore The Things you find in Rockpools. That’s absolutely true. I loved the Asterix books too. And Mad Magazine😂
Oh my gosh. I am writing down the name of the book Whirlwind right now so I don’t forget it. I am honestly amazed that I have never seen it, known that this was even there. We lived in Iran many years ago, when I was in the 7th grade, which makes it more than fifty years ago. This weak mind happens when you are old! I think that Shogun is one of my favorite all time books although that’s very hard to say. My other, which is totally out of my normal reading type is a Stephan King book, The Stand. Honestly, I think that The Stand is the only King book that I have ever read. Both are long and both are ones that I have read way more than once. The kind you pick up and read again and again because they are so good.
Some interesting books there! I too fell in love with Arthur Ransome books and still read books about sailing and the sea. I was given 3 books written by an author called Aubrey de Selincourt who wrote in a similar vein, mostly based around the solent and west country seas. I have never met anyone else who read these.
One man and his bike by Mike Carter. One of the reasons I loved Long Standing Ambition by your brother was because it was a sea version of this book (in my mind). I read this when I was an avid cyclist so it really spoke to me. I grew up reading and, like you, loved Asterix and Tintin. (As an adult I loved that the potion making Druid was called Getafix). I read a book as a child in primary school about Surtsey and didn’t realise it was true; that stayed with me for years. I loved Enid Blyton’s adventure series and have them now as first editions. As a teen I loved James Herbert books. Your books have captured my imagination. My favourite was The wave at hanging rock (so far) as I like the twist.
Hi
I have read so many books. As a child I loved ghosts and anything supernatural. My local library would inform me when a new book of this genre had come in. I now like historical fiction, thrillers and general action style books. I loved reading genghis Khan by conn, it showed how a young man fought for his family after being kicked out of the clan and forced into the wild. How he got back in the clan to become the most powerful leader in history. I know it was a fictional story but there was a lot of truth and it was an emotional roller coaster.I have really enjoyed all your books I have read and now I am just starting your brothers. Keep up the good work.
Staying on by Paul Scott. I loved his Raj quartet – a Christmas present about thirty years ago – but Staying On, a sort of sequel, does it for me. If I ever feel like a good cry I only have to read the last page.
Thanks also for reminding me of Shogun etc. Read in my youth when I could polish off a book in a few days.
I’ll be 59 soon and I’ve always loved reading. As children Mom took my brother and me to the library every 2 weeks and I read everything Beverly Cleary. Ramona Quimby’s rendition of the Pledge of Allegiance trying to understand what “dawnzer lee light” was was hilarious. Ramona also taught me how to draw a cat with her last initial “Q”…just add the ears! Then the Laura Ingalls Wilder series notably “The Long Winter”. I read it curled up under my comforter while Michigan’s winter winds howled outside my window. I enjoyed Trixie Belden mysteries but did not like Encyclopedia Brown because I could NEVER solve the mystery. I read and re-read “The Miracle Worker” and “The Diary of Anne Frank”. Then at 15 my best friend loaned me her copy of “Carrie” by Stephen King. His horror does not terrify me as it did as a teen but I still enjoy his work. I read “Delores Claiborne” about every other year and I just re-read “IT” and “The Stand” both of which were favs as a kid. More King favs are “Joyland” and “Big Trucker”. Since I got my Kindle I read as many free psych thrillers & murder mysteries as I can and once in a while I find a good read such as “…Rockpools” and I look forward to reading the sequel. I really liked the free mystery about the serial killer you sent, too. Thank you. I enjoyed reminiscing.
I started reading at three (apparently) and only took a few years’ break when my three sons were small (I call those the “wilderness years”!). Favourites as a child were The Jungle Book, Pooh, The Jalna Series (Mazo de la Roche), The Borrowers, The Secret Garden, Asterix, A Greengage Summer, Wind in the Willows, Chronicles of Narnia and Black Beauty (which sparked my love of horses). As a teenager, it included l’Étranger (Albert Camus), the poetry of TS Eliot, Sylvia Plath, Christina Rossetti and Leonard Cohen, as well as Tess of the d’Urbervilles, Le Petit Prince, The Collector, The Magus, The French Lieutenant’s Woman, Madame Bovary, Brave New World, Catch 22, Animal Farm, Day of the Triffids, The Catcher in the Rye, The Old Man and the Sea, Brideshead Revisited, Lord of the Flies, Cold Comfort Farm, The Pickwick Papers, Three Men in a Boat, 1984, Hamlet, The Great Gatsby, Grapes of Wrath, Don Quijote, Emma, Rebecca. A few more recently read favourites include Love in the Time of Cholera, Atonement, The Go Between, A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Kite Runner, Notes from a Small Island, The Remains of the Day, A Fine Balance, All That I Am (Anna Funder). I have also very much enjoyed your books, Gregg – they shock, entice, i firm and entertain – love them!
Gregg, I just started reading your books and am hooked! I’ve read some of the books on your list so I will be reading some of the others as well. Thanks so much for the emails and opening a new world of books just as I was getting bored!
Hi Gregg
I’ve read through most of the entries on the blog, and thoroughly enjoyed doing so – thanks for setting it up.
I may have missed it but if not then surprised Virginia Andrews Flowers in the Attic doesn’t get a mention.
(my wife read it and insisted I read it, and very glad I did).
Like a lot of input before me, I struggle to limit my list to 10 (would be wasting Reading time in the struggle!) – I’ve been reading novels for over 50 years.
In judging books, some say the measure is that it stands the test of time/you could recommend to today’s generation and they might not guess it was written decades ago etc
Others judge by a book’s Un-put-down-able-ness or the fact that they don’t want it to end.
I appreciate that some may not ascribe to a favourite book shaping their life, but it will likely have had a subliminal impact on them – helped them to be empathetic; a more understanding parent etc….you can’t unread a story!
I also agree with those who say “Never watch the film after you’ve read the book”…..recent proof Da Vinci Code & Reacher.
So here’s my “Most Revered” list:
The Charm School – Nelson DeMille
A Town Like Alice – Neville Shute
A Sparrow Falls – Wilbur Smith
The Burning Shore – Wilbur Smith
Little Drummer Girl – John Le Carre’
A Perfect Spy – John Le Carre’
Catch 22 – Joseph Heller
A Thousand Splendid Suns – Khalid Hosseini
Flowers in the Attic – Virginia Andrews
(I’ve left a slot for The Bible, as that did shape my life)
More recently…..
The Good Son – Michael Gruber
Cold Fear – Rick Mofina
The Girl in the Train – Paula Hawkins
Regards
John
I knew I couldn’t keep to just 10 :-p
In Honour Bound – Gerald Seymour
A Song in the Morning – Gerald Seymour
The Odessa File – Frederick Forsyth
The Fourth Protocol – Frederick Forsyth
How to Win Friends and Influence People.
I read this after being made redundant and looking for another job, and going through a divorce. It undoubtedly helped me to do better at job interviews and being offered jobs. Re divorce, instead of the usual to and fro-ing re settlement that makes no-one rich but the Solicitors, I used this book to draft a settlement that was fair to all concerned and best for the children. It was immediately accepted. My Solicitors said he had neven known such a quick settlement. All down to this book.
I’ve read many wonderful books, but in terms of shaping me, it started with Dr Seuss, Green Eggs and Ham. Somehow it was on my tiny primary school’s little book shelf which we had to read from every week from the age of 5 or 6 onwards. Asterix followed soon after, I saw that for the first time in a family friends house, they were a mixed English/French couple who taught their kids French first and English second. A great cross over read for them I guess. Terry Pratchet was the next game changer for me, so funny, so true, so insightful, I tried one then went back for all of them. Stephen King too, and with him I realised it wasn’t the genre, but the writing that captures me. Todays influencers are Richard Herley’s The Penal Colony, and pretty well anything from Joseph R Lallo. Rob Aspinall out Jack Reachers’ Lee Childs, probably because he’s British, and Greg, you are right up there in my kindle “buy more” folder, which has no genre rules, just excellent reads get in there. Keep up the good work.
I have to say Gone with the Wind. I read that as a young teen and have reread it countless times. I love strong female characters. “Scarlett is a pick-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps” woman, despite being quite spoiled and self centered. No matter what situation she faced, she met it with cunning, guile and her wits. Scarlett is hands down my favorite character in literature, and Gone with the Wind is my favorite book. When I’m faced with challenges, some that seem insurmountable, I’ll tell myself, “I won’t think about that now, I’ll think about it tomorrow.”Special shout out to Katniss Everdeen and the Hunger Games triology. (p.s. I love The Stand too!)
I loved ‘The Poisonwood Bible’ by Barbara Kingsolver. Such depth of feeling and description of an environment I have never experienced. It encouraged me to dig deeper into the real historical events that are described. I have plans to read her other books- already started with ‘The Lacuna’ and really enjoyed that and been stimulated to research the background to that as well!
The shining is a favourite of mine- so different to the movie and I loved the follow up book, doctor sleep. Im a massive Stephen king fan – Shawshank redemption, the body. In fact hes the reason I read your book- I follow him on facebook and he recommended it saying it was a great read. He was right- I struggled to put it down. love jk rowlings books having read them to my children in the beginning- I was the one desperate for the next book to come out! And the thorn birds goes without saying, just wonderful. As a child I loved all the mystery and adventure books by enid Blyton, along with charlottes web and the reluctant vampire by eric Morecombe. In my late teens I was just addicted to virginia Andrews flowers in the attic and the rest of the series. I adored Suzanne Collins the hunger games and stephanie Meyers the host before most people whogot to know them as movies. Lovely bones by alice sebold is a great read too. loved masters of the game Sidney Sheldon, love a bit of Nicholas sparks and jojo moyes.
Theres too many to mention!!
First of all, who doesn’t like Shogun – the book and the movie! And Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn for it’s unique perspective and provocative ending.
Second, there is only one book that has helped to shape me and that would be Creek Mary’s Blood by Dee Brown. I bought the book in the late 1980’s because of the title as I have a Grandmother Mary who is half Musgokee Creek (she passed away 8 years ago at the age of 99). The book helped me to realize why I did not necessarily “fit” into the mindset of the White American culture. In most Native American cultures, women played a strong role in the leadership/goverance of the tribe and lineage is through the woman; the man married into her family. She also owned the property. I come from a long line of strong-willed, independent women and the book helped me to understand myself.
Third, here are those books that have stayed with me through the years:
1. Ceremony of the Innocent by Taylor Caldwell
2. Rebecca and The House on the Strand by Daphne Du Maurier
3. The Ivy Tree by Mary Stewarat
4. The Shivering Sands by Victoria Holt
5. The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buch
6. The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
7. At Play in the Fields of the Lord by Peter Matthiessen
Reading those Gothics in my teen years inspired my love of mysteries to this day. I particularly love reading a mystery that I can not figure out who “done it!”
I’m going way back to a book my mother used to read to me, and she changed all the voices for each character. it was one of the first books I remember reading on my own…”The House at Pooh Corner, by A.A. Milne. This book had a profound effect on me, friendship, love, innocence, accepting others despite their shortcomings, and the simple joy of throwing a stick in a stream. I still say this book has one of the saddest endings ever written. It involved Christopher Robin trying to explain to Pooh that he had to go off to school, and may not be around as much…”but wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place, on the top of the Forest, a little boy and his Bear will always be playing.”
Stanley, as someone with a little boy who has just started school your comment made me quite emotional! I think I shall have to find a stream at pick up time for a game of pooh sticks…
Thank you for the comment. 🙂
Loved Asterix as a kid too. Also anything by Stephen King (re-reading IT at the moment as recently watched the film remake).
JRR Tolkien’s books really introduced me to reading as escapism and I revisit the Hobbit often with my own kids, then encourage them to move on to LOTR.
In common with a lot of the readers above, I really enjoyed Rockpools and Desert Run and would definitely recommend them.
Over the years I’ve also enjoyed Ken Follett (the cathedral books and the Century trilogy particularly), Donna Tartt as someone else mentioned and have also ploughed through many similar, but enjoyable books by John Grisham, Lee Child and David Baldacci.
Enjoying Kindle unlimited at the moment and Blake Crouch’s books in particular (Wayward Pines series is great). The Meg series also good for ridiculous over the top ‘Jaws’ style entertainment.
The Martian, Game of Thrones (first 4 books at least)and the Red Rising series are great escapism.
I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes for a wonderful thriller.
Shogun by James Clavell I also loved and The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell for similar themes.
I could go on, just love reading and try to encourage my kids and friends to find what they love and read more of it!
Being an American, when I was a teenager, John Steinbeck’s books made a huge impression on me. (My last “teen” year was 45 years ago)
I loved Down to a Sunless Sea – David Graham. Very hard to find these days. Plot is: A plane full of folk, flying from USA to UK. Nuclear war breaks out. Where can they land … as airports are being nuked as they fly.
I’ve always read. The book that terrified me, and made me frightened to turn the page, was The Shining. Made into an excellent film as we know. All of Alistair Maclean’s books, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Time Traveller’s Wife, The Other Woman by Joy Fielding, Ian Rankin’s books ( especially as I originate from Edinburgh !) The Jason Bourne books, Lee Childs, the books by Lobsang Rampa which I read in my late teens about Tibet. I do believe he was later revealed to be a plumber living in England ! But there seemed an awful lot of detail about the country and the traditions…… Lastly…
The 5 People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom which really moved me and gave me hope after the death of my son.
I love to get lost in a book , so an honourable mention for your books too Gregg. 😀
Thank you Margaret, I really enjoyed the Time Traveller’s Wife as well. Really clever and made me pause a bit and consider how we pass through life and its different stages. I think I might have got something in my eye at a few points in that one. 🙂 I’ve not read the 5 people you meet in heaven, but I will do so.
I have always loved to read and went so far as to get a PhD in English Literature. So many books have touched me either intellectually or emotionally (or both) over the years and not just fiction. Too many to list here. But if I am honest, none have been life changing or have shaped me. Nevertheless about 5 years ago, a friend introduced me to “Wire in the Blood” by Val McDermid and I became hooked on the genre. Love Val McD, love Nicci French and also PJ Tracey. So perhaps after all, it could be said that these have shaped me because without reading these, I would never have discovered Gregg Dunnett.
Thanks Elaine!
Thx, Greg! I’ve really enjoyed reading these comments. Also noted some books I haven’t read which I will check out on Amazon.
So many books, so little time! I could use another lifetime to read more books ! Reading has been my friend since a little girl, a great escape and adventure! My book club is now reading your book I recommended , The Things You Find in Rockpools.
Keep up the good work !
Thanks Sandy, that’s lovely to hear. I’m not in a book club, but should try to find one to join…
I loved anything by Enid Blyton when I was a child. I would also read anything I could get my hands on. I loved Daphne du Maurier books which were passed to me from my mum. Lee Child must have a mention, I love his books. The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough just left me with a longing for the book to go on forever. I love books, I read every day and cannot imagine life without my Kindle. It comes everywhere with me.
However, life changing books are as follows: The Marsh Arabs and Across the Empty Quarter by Wilfred Thesiger had such a profound effect on me that I started looking for work in Saudi Arabia, got a job with an oil company and ended up living in the Middle East for 8 years.
I read Lauren Bacall’s autobiography when I was pregnant in 1983 and had to call my daughter Lauren. It was one of my favourite bios/autobios.
Driving Over Lemons, the trilogy by Chris Stewart rekindled my love of Spain and I am now spending my happy retirement in that same country.
Although not life changing, I really enjoyed your book The Wave at Hanging Rock, such an unusual tale I enjoyed it from beginning to end.
Not life changing..? (Only kidding, I’m very happy you liked it!). A good call on Driving Over Lemons, I’m pretty sure that has played a part in my current enthusiasm for spending a few years in Spain myself. the Middle East is a region I’ve lived in a bit (I spend a lot of time in Sinai in Egypt) but never really found any books that made me love it. I’ll try the ones you mentioned.
I love Lee Child’s Jack Reacher books as well- such intelligent violence! Enid Blyton shaped my whole life. I wish life was like that now!
I loved Jonathan Livingstone Seagull. A real testimony to what you can achieve if you set your mind to it, despite the odds that may be against you. I’ve read it a few times and it just gets better with each read.
That’s definitely on my list too. In fact I’ll bump it up a bit out of sheer curiosity. Is it really a book about a seagull?
Interesting to see what others read. Some of the authors/books mentioned are like a trip down ‘memory lane’
Arthur Ramsone, Nevil Shute, John Wyndham, Clare Francis, must get round to reading some of them again
To me a good book is one I cannot put down, one that makes me consider why the author chose to write it. Recent good reads have been
Not without my daughter – Betty Mahmoody
My dear I wanted to tell you – Louisa Young
Cutting for Stone – Abraham Verghese
All the light we cannot see – Anthony Doerr
The Gustav Sonata – Rose Tremain
The Island – Victoria Hislop
All published books by the Dunnett Brothers!
and The Dalai Larma’s cat for a different view of life.
Hope you next book is out soon.
Thank you Debbie, how nice to be added to your list (even if it is a bit tongue in cheek!)
Being slightly ‘longer’ in the tooth than may be some of your readers, I remember being in Primary School and my wonderful teacher used to finish the afternoon by reading from Enid Blyton’s the Castle of Adventure. He always stopped just prior to an exciting bit and we had to wait until the next day to see what happened. From then on it was the Adventurous Four or the Famous Five (I wanted to be George). Other books were The Silver Sword, Pollyanna, Lord of the Rings, The Shadow of the Wind, A Year in Provence (now got a little house in the Alpes de Haute Provence), plus so many more that I’m on my 3rd Kindle and read every single day! Read both your previous books Greg and will read your next one too. Aren’t books just the most amazing things??
I forgot the Shadow of the Wind, that’s a lovely book. I think I’ve read that about three times. I’m only on my second kindle, must try harder… 🙂
I too loved “The things you find in rock pools”! Shadow of the Wind is also a favourite which I must read again soon.I also like Ann Tyler with her stories of everyday American life.So,so many wonderful novels out there to escape into…
Fantastic thread, Gregg! I’ve been reading ever since I can remember. My mom used to buy us 10 comics each on payday (they were 10 cents apiece!). I loved Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Spiderman. I used to get in trouble at school when we were to take turns reading a story aloud because by the time it was my turn to read, I’d already read the entire story and didn’t know the place I was supposed to start reading aloud. Some of my favorite books over the years are “Robinson Crusoe” by Daniel DeFoe and “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis were two of the early ones. They really showed me new worlds beyond my own and inspired my imagination.
I also have a cousin who is an author. His name is Drew Cordell. He’s written 5 books so far, three of which are a series. “Absolute Knowledge”, “Absolute Zero” and “Absolute Infinite.” He is in the process of writing a fourth book in this series called “Absolute Chaos.” It’s a great alternate universe series!
Thanks Helen, Drew’s books look good. Do you know if he’s looking to publish traditionally or self publish? There’s some great advice available (if it’s the latter) on Mark Dawson’s facebook pages (www.selfpublishingformula.com). I’ve learnt loads from that site about the marketing side of things. Well worth a look…
Two books from my youth stand out as particularly memorable – The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum and The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger. Neither of them were done justice by Holywood (especially the latter) and the later Bourne books by Ludlum never had the same impact as the first. I took it as my only book whilst inter-railing around Europe on my own and must have read it four times in a month! I also really enjoyed Len Deighton’s spy epic trilogy Game, Set and Match followed by Winter and then another trilogy Hook, Line and Sinker. Finally as a helicopter pilot (or for anyone wanting to become one), Chickenhawk by Robert Mason set in Vietnam is a fantastic read!
Strangely I love the Bourne films (especially the first). I can watch it over and over, which is lucky, since it’s always on telly. But I did buy the book a few years back and just didn’t like it. Perhaps it was because the story was different (quite substantially so) from the film. I don’t know… I guess reading it while lone inter-railing in europe is going to help though. You get to basically be Jason Bourne in your head for hours at a time..!
MY ALL TIME FAVE IS TREASURE ISLAND. ANY SECOND WORLD WAR NAVAL STORIES,ALSO ANY FICTION SEA STORIES. AS A BOY I WANTED TO BE A FARMER BUT GUESS WHAT I AM A TIME SERVED BOAT BUILDER, FUNNY OLD LIFE.
I do like The Cruel Sea, I’ve read that a few times. I don’t think you could write a modern book in such a formal style, but what it actually describes happening is so powerful it still draws you in…
Love this list so much! How fantastic to share some of the books that have inspired you in your life. I really think that one of the main joys about reading is passing on your thoughts/recommendations and indulging in other people’s experiences and feelings after reading them too 😀
I enjoy reading any topic in a novel – but for me what really makes a story is how all of the shared human instincts, thoughts and feelings that we feel are deliciously described either covertly or overtly to resonate with the reader.
I loved “Make Lemonade” by Virginia Euwer Wolff. It’s such a simple yet powerful introduction to the issues in life – told in the perspective of a 14 year old girl. It’s such a beautiful story and when I read it as a young teen I couldn’t stop thinking about it for days and days after.
“Lie with me” Sabine Durrant is a sinister, creeping story of egos desire and deceit. It’s a holiday read but not in the usual sense.. set abroad in the sticky heat I held my breath and recoiled continuously at this story and it’s portrayl of the ugliness of people.
“Dark Matter” by Michelle Paver is a ghost story set on a Norwegian island in the 30s. It’s essentially an expedition account layered with brooding menace and fear and I defy anyone to have their finger nails left at the end!
Thanks Hayley. I’ve just finished Lie With Me by Sabine Durrant. I thought it was brilliant. It’s amazing how well she captured the (what I thought was) secret, internal thoughts of a man. I had to check online that she really was a woman. Kind of made me want to go on holiday to Greece as well…
My list is simple, but the books listed have changed my life.
Where the Red Fern Grows, Wilson Rawls 1961
Papa’s Wife, Thrya Ferre’ Bjord 1973
The Stand, Stephen King 1978
Joy in the Morning, Betty Smith 1963
Life Among the Savages, Shirley Jackson 1952
A Women of Substance, Barbara Taylor Bradford 1979
The Keep, F. Paul Wilson 1981
Coldheart Canyon, Clive Barker 2001
Watchers, Dean Koontz 1987
The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCullough 1977.
Thanks Mary, another good list for me to work my way through! I did love The Thorn Birds. I think the scene right at the beginning will stay with me for ever, where Meg is a little girl and her brothers rip up her doll. Maybe because I read that when my own daughter was a similar age. It really made me sympathise with her for the whole of her life. Great book.
When I was young I fell in love with “The Little House on the Prairie” series and read them multiple times. I also discovered “Heidi” and read that several times as well. I loved “Cujo” by Stephen King, a relatively unknown author, at that time, and was a nervous mess reading “The Firm” by John Grisham. I read my way through romance as a teenager, reading anything that had a happy ending, after the protagonists had first been torn apart. I now don’t care for the romance, as they all eventually seemed like the same stories, with different characters. I guess my reading taste have grown up and now I love the “Jack Reacher” books by Lee Chilld, still love most Stephen King books and have lately discovered a new author and can’t say enough about his recent book “The Things You Find in Rockpools.” Basically I can’t choose any ten books that have shaped my life. I just like any book that is well written, with characters you quickly bond with, who ultimately win in the end. Oh, and the book HAS to have at least 300 pages, or I usually discount it right away. Actually the more pages, the better.
Hi Debbie, thank you so much for flattering me with the mention of Rockpools! Was Heidi the same that was made into a television series in the 1980s? I never used to like that – it was on a Sunday late afternoon and that always meant having to go back to school. It was like the warning bell for the end of the weekend..!
My list would be similar to your’s but too many books & authors to list. And the late Steig Larson, has just come to mind.
I read at least ten books a week.I went to an elementary where we were taught speed reading. I recommend
1) The Stand, by Stephen King
2) A Prayer for Owen Meany
3)The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd
4) Antigone by Sophocles
5) The entire Dark Tower Series by Stephen King
6) The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
7) 1984 by George Orwell
8) Beloved by Toni Morrison
Seriously? Ten books a week. That’s more than one a day, every day? That’s an incredible rate. It kind of reminds me of being in primary school though, when the teacher would give us all a copy of the same book and we’d read together, one kid at a time reading out loud. I’d never be able to make myself read slow enough and would get to the end of the page too soon, then have a painful wait while the class caught up. (then I risked getting in trouble because I’d lost my place). You’d have finished the whole book by the time the class finished one page!!
I too loved Tin Tin and Asterix when I was young. I also read What Katy Did many times! Rebecca (Daphne Du Maurier) made a huge impression on me and I’ve read it countless times – it’s just so romantic and compelling. Actually, I love all of her books. Anything by John Steinbeck was a must as a teenager. I completely agree with you re Bill Bryson. I have enjoyed Jack McSporran’s books recently and of course your own.
Thanks Susan
Okay, I don’t know about books that changed my life, but here’s a list that maybe assisted in my development. Some not popular now, some trashy, some absolute works of art. Here goes:
1. J. T. Edson – Slaughter’s Way . A representative of trashy Westerns, which I was into in my very early teens, a development of playing with cap guns a few years earlier and significant as it developed a reading habit.
2. John Wyndham – The Day of the Triffids. Again one book of many from this author and similar others (e.g. Isaac Asimov) that marked my development to perhaps less trashy books.
3. George Orwell – Animal Farm. Oh, thought I, books can do more than tell stories. I was perhaps 14 or 15 when I read this.
4. Thomas Hardy – The Mayor of Casterbridge. I absolutely loved the archaic construction of sentences and use of words that are now defunct or mean something different. I am from time to time now re-reading Hardy’s books.
5. D. H. Lawrence – Sons and Lovers. See above comments.
6. Harlan Coben – Fool Me Once. Perhaps a slight slip towards the trash again, but who can resist the odd thriller? Linwood Barclay and a couple of others feature too.
7. Peter May – The Black House. First of an irresistible trilogy.
8. Wooden Leg – A warrior who Fought Custer. I do like the odd biography or history. But I tend to shy away from the well known. I feel it gives more insight to read about ordinary people. Perhaps this particular book harks back to the Westerns of my youth. Fascinating all the same.
9. David Black – Turn Left For Gibraltar. An endearing tale of a wartime sub-mariner.
10. Greg Dunnett – The Things You Find in Rock Pools. In at number ten, but only because I’ve listed chronologically…
Thanks Peter. That’s a good list. I did nearly include The Mayor of Casterbridge on my original list. I read it at school, and like all the other kids in the class, at first I moaned about having to read it, but secretly I got really into it. I now live quite close to where Hardy lived and wrote (we went to see his writing desk last month, not as a pilgrimage to him, but because Dippy the Diplodocus was on tour at Dorchester museum. Anyway, it was quite nice to see where he wrote). I’m very impressed that he wrote in series, without the opportunity to go back and fix the bits that were already published.
The boy with a cuckoo clock heart really stands out to me. There’s a part where he she’s the girl he loves with someone else, and whilst reading it I felt the pain like it was my life. I couldn’t sleep that night! That to me is the mark of a good book.
It’s slightly strange though how we want books that are so powerful they almost hurt us? I guess we need to feel…
Should of said I also loved ‘The Wave at Hanging Rock’. Thought you were asking what other books we had read. Sorry should have mentioned yours.
That’s OK Ingrid – I was asking what other books, and it didn’t even occur to me that anyone might give an honourable mention to mine (and I am that vain to hope!). But it’s very nice of you to say so anyway! 🙂
As a child, I loved ‘Winnie the Pooh’. My dear departed dad read it to me with such enthusiasm. He also used to cut the ‘Rupert the Bear’ snippets out of The Daily Express and read them to me and my cousins.
Later in life, I loved ‘My Family and Other Animals’ by Gerrald Durell. It tells the story of the Durell family during their 5 year stay on Corfu. It is very funny and exudes sunshine from every page. I introduced my daughter to this at the age of eight. Her teacher was horrified saying it was an adult book but my daughter not only understood it but loved it and it was well within her reading age.
In adult life, I enjoyed everything I read by Michael Morpurgo as part of my children’s literature course during my university years. He is a fantastic author and in my opinion far better than JK Rowling who is marketed very cleverly. My favourite book of his being ‘Private Peaceful’ with ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ a close second.
I read ‘Race Against Time’ by Ellen MacArthur whilst I was writing my university dissertations. It is a long-term ambition of mine to learn to sail. I love the sea and everything to do with boats. She really inspired me to dig deep in life to achieve your goals. Somehow though my sailing goal still seems to be defeating me.
I am very excited that I have just become a grandma. Although only 13 weeks old, I have already bought my granddaughter 3 books – two of which are written by Julia Donaldson. I am really looking forward to the time when she is old enough that I can share my love of books with her.
I love books and reading – too many good ones to speak about but these would be my all time favourites. There are a few on your list, Gregg, that I should really check out with my love of sailing and the sea.
Hi Ingrid, thanks for your comment. I agree with you about Gerrald Durell, my mum gave me that when I was a similar age (perhaps a little bit older!) I think she thought it would make me want to be a vet, not realising I was squeemish at the sight of blood and allergic to hard work (at that age anyway.). Ellen MacArthur is incredible too, never read anything from her, but did see her give a TED talk that was very inspiring. Congratulations on becoming a Grandma – check out the Old Bear collection from Jane Hissey, they’re my daughter’s favourites (and amazing illustrations)
Hello Gregg, When I discovered that I enjoyed reading I was into all of James Hadley Chase books in the 70’s 🙂 Read them all and loved them. But only to name a few that come to mind are:
“Papillon” by Henri Charrière
Kane and Abel [Jeffrey Archer]
Lee Child (Jack Reacher thrillers)
Colleen McCullough’s The Thorn Birds
and of course not forgetting your books
Wave at Hanging Rock, Desert Run and The Things you find in Rockpools.
There are millions (ok maybe hundreds) of books I’ve enjoyed in the past but too many to remember or mention.
Oh, I forgot Colleen McCullough. The Thorn Birds was fantastic (it goes on an on though.) Kind of reminds me of 100 years of Solitude with the ageing of the characters – telling their whole story. I really liked that. There’s another book called We, The Drowned which does the same. That’s brill too…
For me, the mark of a great book is that it totally immerses you and takes you away from the outside world. With that in mind, most of Clive Barker’s work ticks the box – especially Imajica.
Hi Andy, I’d never heard of Imajica, but it sounds like a must read. Will add it to my list.
Clearly, present company is excluded, right Mr Dunnett! Except for ‘Things you Find in Rock Pools, loved it.
All of Enid Blyton and ‘The Donkey’ (a poem)by GK Chesterton set me on the way to loving books and poetry.
As a teenager, ‘The Collector’ started my love affair with John Fowles and, for me, was a riveting read.
Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less by Jeffrey Archer stands out in my mind as does ‘The Woods’ by Harlan Cobin
And now lately ‘Cutting for Stone’ by Abraham Verghese. If you haven’t read this book do yourself a favour! Wonderful, wonderful book!
Got to stop here there are soooo many.
Thank you Liz, really glad you enjoyed Rockpools (flattery will get you everywhere). I remember really enjoying Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less. I think Jeffery Archer gets a bit of unfair rap (for his novels at least, not so sure about the perjury!)
Love Harlen Coben! Lots of twists and turns. Did you see the recent televised one: ‘The Five’? Like this blog Gregg – it will give people lots of books to try.:-)
I was an avid reader during my childhood. I read mostly adventure stories. And all Judy Blume’s books. I checked out so many books during my junior high years, that when my sister came to the same school, every book she picked had my name on the check-out card. It was funny, no matter what book it was, my name was on it. Then, after I graduated from high school, I got sick and lost all my concentration. I couldn’t read anything for a long time. In my 40’s, I went back to college and took an English class. My teacher was stressing the importance of reading. I took it to heart, and, although it took me two months to read it, I finished a book. It was about a woman who had been a slave. I had gotten a kindle and that book was free, so I thought I had nothing to lose if I didn’t finish it. Well, I can’t tell you how happy I was when I read the last page. I felt like I accomplished a marathon. Now, I read a whole book in two or three days. My boyfriend can’t understand why I always have my nose in my kindle. I have “kindle unlimited” and “prime” and I have close to 500 books in my kindle library. And I have to thank that teacher for saying what she did. She’s opened a whole new world for me. I’ve read your books, Gregg, and thoroughly enjoyed them. And I’m really looking forward to your next one. Sounds like it’s going to be great!!
Thank you Cynthia, it’s funny how we pass through stages in life. I fell out of reading regularly for about 10, 15 years too. I love your story about being on every library card. I have very fond memories of Chingford Library as a kid. And I think I have dim memories of reading Judy Blume books… Weren’t they a bit risque for early teenagers (as in something the girls read, and blushed about when people found out?) Or am I thinking about something else…?
Wild Swans written by Jung Chan and published in 1991, changed my view on life forever. I had never travelled and didn’t taken much notice of international news. Wild Swans opened my eyes to the fact that there were different cultures and regimes across the world that were not benign and safe like England. It made me want to travel and experience and understand those differences. Since then I have backpacked to most parts of the planet, and have learned that all ordinary people are welcoming and kind, regardless of their unpleasant governments.
Hi Sandie, that’s a very philosophical comment, and reminds me of things my brother now comes out with (he’s turned himself into a traveler/adventurer in his forties) – about how people are fundamentally nice. I’ll have to add Wild Swans to my reading list (I’m never going to short of anything to read ever again after this blog post!)
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline was a joy to read (long, long before the film was conceived) The futuristic bleak landscape transfixed me. I remember telling a friend that finishing it had left me feeling almost bereaved, such was my loss. I also said it would make an awesome film, which is exactly what happened. The book is still the best though, despite the film being Spielberg’s work.
I did read Ready Player One. Did you not find it just a little hard to accept that the whole world would go so crazy for memorabilia from the 1980s? It kind of had me in saying War Games was a classic film, but beyond that… I don’t know. I struggled a bit. It was certainly gripping though. Not an easy book to put down.
I do love to read! I’m reading my 58th book for this year. I keep a list of books I’ve completed and these are from my the 2018 book list that I would not hesitate to recommend:
THE STRANGER by Camilla Lackberg
ACCEPTABLE LOSS by Anne Perry
THE THINGS YOU FIND IN ROCK POOLS by You Know Who
THE OLDEST ENIGMA OF HUMANITY by
David Bernard
THE BOOK OF SECRETS by Elizabeth Joy Arnold
WOLF WINTER by Clare Francis
THE ACCUSED by Mark Gimenez
Thanks Doris, I’m honoured to make your list!
Books that have not necessarily shaped mt but books that are memorable and I have enjoyed.
Famous Five series be Enid Blyton. Many years ago Primary School teacher read chapters from these books at the end of the day. Enjoyed the stories so much which made me want to read more. This got me into reading so I suppose this shaped me into a reader of books.
The Navigator by Morris West. A very memorable book about a very different lifestyle in Polynesian Islands (I think), although many year since I have read it.
In the Shadow of Man by Jane Goodall. Non-fiction illustrated book about Jane’s life in Gombe studying chimpanzees. Really opened my mind as how similar chimps are to humans with their close family relationships. This also got me more interested in wildlife. Must read it again soon.
Among the Elephants by Iain & Oria Douglas-Hamilton. Similar comments as previous. Have reread this one after seeing wild elephants in South Africa.
The Man I Think I know by Mike Gayle. Picked this one up among the new books in the library recently. If someone had described this story to me I would have said “not for me, don’t fancy it”. Thoroughly enjoyed it and a very thought provoking story.
The Life and Death of St Kilda by Tom Steel. Visited St Kilda a few years ago and this was one of the books on the boat. Started reading it but didn’t get it finished. When I got home bought a copy. What a hard life those islanders had but a great community spirit, everything was shared between all the households. That is until the outside world interfered.
The Kon Tiki Expedition (and others) by Thor Heyerdahl. Stories of adventure and wonder about how the ancients navigated vast oceans. I am in awe of the bravery and confidence of these people that they could set sail in a flimsy boat, some of them not knowing if there was any land out there.
Cry of the Kalahari by Mark & Delia Owens. Another non-fiction book about wildlife. Not many books bring me to tears but this one did when I read the part about a fence many 10s of miles long cutting across the migration route of wildebeest, zebra and others plains animals. Animals desperate for water and having so many more miles to go before they could reach it. Appalling the selfishness of mankind (well some of them).
Other authors that I enjoy are Stuart McBride, detective books with a bit of humour. Tom Cain for thriller. Wilbur Smith’s earlier books. And if I want something lighthearted without having to remember a heavy plot Sophie Kinsella, Fern Britten, or Jennie Colgan.
Thanks Pat. Reading your list made me think of a book called ‘The Philosopher and the Wolf’. It’s about a man who keeps a near-wolf as a pet, and the life they have together.
You sound very well travelled!
I read most of not all of the biggles series, sounds strange but after reading these books I went on to join the RAF.
Since then I have enjoyed most books and hopefully will continue to do so. Can’t wait for your new one.
I think before I thought about it, that might have seemed strange, but from these comments it seems quite common that people make life-altering decisions influenced by books that mean a lot to them. I remember reading my uncle’s Biggles book in my Grandmother’s house. I can still remember the slightly musty, tobacco smell (he had previously read them while chain smoking). I used to collect the cigarette cards as well). I don’t think I ever saw myself as a calm-nerved fighter ace though…
First I have got to say. I loved the two books I read of yours. “The Things you find in Rockpools” and “The Desert Run”. I think I had only heard of one of your ten books. I loved to read in high school “The Good Earth” and “The Outsiders”. All of those books some kids hate to read. But I loved. But then I Graduated and went to work. Did not get to go to College. But after I got married. This friend came over to hang at my apartment pool and loaned me “The other side of Midnight by Sidney Sheldon and Sweet Savage Love” by Rosemary Rogers and that was all I needed. Then I worked with ladies who turned me on to Patricia Cornwall. And I am one who is not ashamed to admit I loved Fifty Shades of Gray !!! But a good book is a good book and I loved yours and look forward to your future books.
Thank you Bunny. And I hope you don’t mind if I use your name as a link to bring up The Secret History by Donna Tartt? I re-read this recently, after a first reading in my twenties. Still highly recommended – it’s kind of cool in the way that Fight Club (the film) is cool. You don’t quite understand it all, but you want to be like the characters, even though they’re horrible.
I have to admit, I haven’t read Fifty Shades. That’s not me being a snob, it’s just never appealed. Perhaps I should though, I hear it’s sold a few copies…
And also “thank you” to you,for your books, also this blog & the opportunity to read about other’s opinions of books/authors.
Lassie Come Home
I grew up with a collie dog. This book moved me to tears as a child and continues to do so when I re-read it as an adult. Books about dogs were my favorites as a child and I am still a sucker for a good “dog book”.
Same for me. Shadow The Sheepdog was a favourite as a child. I now have a first edition which took a while to find.
We grew up with a succession of collie dogs as well, and my mum still has two. And she’s also been trying to complete a book about her life, as told through the dogs she’s owned. She won’t show it to me, but I’ll use this comment to remind me to nag her to keep on with it!
I can’t say that any of the following books have changed my life; at least, not to my knowledge. I say only that I thoroughly enjoyed them at first reading, and with regard to most of them, at many repeat readings. The books are as follows:
Pillars of the Earth, and any of Ken Follett’s other books. My attention was brought to this story because the cover note said that it was about the building and the funding of a church, and as a roof tiler and slater I was interested in the building of the church. For a short while, in the 1990’s I was an outdoor market manager, and this gave me an interest in Charter markets, and their connection with the Church and Royalty.
Trustee From the Toolroom, by Nevil Shute, and most of his other books. A wonderful storyteller. A very simple story, about a very ordinary man, it is another book I have read many times.
Down Under, to me the best book from Bill Bryson, although I enjoyed all the ones I have read. I have been to Australia many times over the last thirty years or so, and Bill’s book is spot on with his observations of the people and the country.
Chesapeake, by James A. Michener, is an historical fiction about the development of that area of Virginia and Maryland from the 1580’s to the 1970’s, and is another that I have read more than once.
For escapism; Wilbur Smith, Ian Fleming, Alistair McLean, Mark Dawson, Dean Koontz, Stephen King and David Baldacci.
In more than 70 years of reading, I must have read thousands of books, the vast majority of which have provided me a huge amount of pleasure. As a schoolboy, I would read anything I could get that had words, my favourite author then being Capt. W.E.Johns, writing of Biggles and his chums. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I would buy Hotspur, Adventure, Wizard and Rover, my choice of “comic” because the only pictures in them were at the beginning of each story, other than those few pictures, the stories were all words, and would therefore last me longer, sometimes until teatime. My brothers preferred the Dandy and Beano, which were all cartoon strips.
Reading to me has always been a pleasure, and if I have learned anything whilst reading, then I consider myself doubly lucky.
Thanks for this Ken. It’s fun to see Mark Dawson on this list. He runs a course to help aspiring writers like myself so I’m technically one of his students. I’ll second your heads up for Down Under too. I’ve never been to Australia, but I’ve read that book so many times I feel like I have.
I love the list of “escapism” authors!
Hi Ken
Yes, Neville Shute and Early Wilbur Smith could totally immerse you so that you could actually think you were “there”.
Trying to inspire friends to read these at the time, I’d say “I got a sun-tan reading tge Burning Shore” 🙂
I don’t know of any books that shaped me as a kid. I was only interested in art, and reading was a struggle, so I never was a big reader until I hit 50 and something turned on in my brain! Some early favorites would be A walk in the woods by Bill Bryson…. which led me to read all of his books. The unlikely pilgrimage of Herold Fry by Rachel Joyce, Gone Girl, The Girl who wrote in Silk by Kelli Estes moved me so much that I had to create an art quilt. The Wave at Hang Rock which did the same! Too many others to list! I’m happy to finally have the passion for reading I never had as a kid…. now I just need to slow down time!
Will always remember being read Stig of the Dump by a teacher at junior school 50 years ago, he made it real! I now will read anything but particularly enjoy Patricia Cornwell, Stephen King and the late Richard Laymon. Thanks for “the things you find in rock pools”, moving on to the sequel next!
For me Khlaed Hosseini’s Kite Runner it made me want to go to Kabul to see the sites and visit the streets, to watch the kite flying, see and smell the roses etc etc. I did go. Another story for another day.
I struggled a bit with the Kite Runner. It was recommended to me by someone who usually gives me books that I really love, but… I don’t know. I think I had issues with the kite fighting – having flown kites a little bit (and recently tried with the kids – a recipe for arguments and tangled lines) I don’t see how you could fight with them, and I don’t see how you wouldn’t know who was flying them? So I’ve very impressed that you went to see it for yourself. Is it as described?
I really loved ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ also by Khaled Hosseini. Heartbreaking and beautiful and such a wonderful insight into a culture and part of the world I knew little about.
First, thank you for giving us more of an insight into you! I’ve noted several of the books you mentioned to put on my reading list. I never enjoyed reading as a youth, teenage, or young adult. I only read what I had to in order to get through a class. That all changed after my two sons left home (I had more time) and I discovered Preston & Child books. I became an avid reader (and enjoy it even more with my Kindle) and read around 100 books a year now. I’ve added you, Gregg, to my list of favorite authors which includes Dan Brown, Robin Cook, John Grisham, Andrew Gross, Virginia Lanier (deceased), and Michael Palmer to name a few. My husband says it’s a habit, but I have to read myself to sleep every night. Anyway, keep writing those wonderful books!
Thanks Brenda! quite chuffed to be alongside those names… 🙂
A Town Like Alice. I first read this book when I was about 11. My life was pretty miserable at the time and I read anything and everything, just to escape real life. This book made me determined to go to Australia as soon as I could (in those days you needed your parents permission to do anything before you reached 21). A place that inspired and kept Japanese POW’s alive and desperate to get home must be awesome, I thought. As the years passed I read the book over and over and found more and more depth to it each time. Dear reader, I did go to Australia (as soon as I was 21!), I did go to Alice Springs and yes, it is awesome!
My favourite book too. I even did the journey from west Malaysia to the East Coast. Only I went by air and not by foot.
Yeah – we have a hit. I too loved Shogun having only discovered it in my 70’s. Also read Taipan and other JC novels on my ‘to do’ list.
Here’s my list: Bryce Courtenay ‘Jack of Diamonds’ (and loved all his books): Ken Follett’s trilogies Century and Pillars of the Earth : Sumudu Dharmapola’s Saree who, along with Greg Roberts Shamtaram, both transported me to the Indian sub-continent and inspired me to read M.M.Kaye’s The Far Pavilions – another epic from that region. Somewhere I will probably never go but such writings give me a real insight into life there and satisfy a need to learn about such places, even if you cannot see them. Edward Rutherfords novels about places e.g. The Forest, Sarum, Paris, they explore the many families and incidents that occur there over centuries – fascinating reading. Last but not least Victoria Hislop’s The Island about how leprosy was treated in years gone by in Crete and inspired me to visit said island when on holiday there – left a lasting memory.
That’s quite a list Christine, and I don’t think I’ve heard of any of it! (Except Ken Follett, although I’ve never read any). I’m glad you enjoyed James Clavell though. They’re all good!
Ken Follett writes great books. Luckily, I have them on my Kindle or I’d have massive muscles in my arms.
I feel I need to read The Stand now, as so many people have listed it here!!
As a small child my favourites were The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton and as an older child, the Anne of Green Gables series became my go to books.
As a young adult I read The Talisman by Peter Straub and Stephen King – I remember being completely immersed by it and that was the first time a book had had that effect.
I’m a big fan of all Harry Potter books as an adult, and I think in part that relates to the books I loved as a child – escaping to a magical world!
I also enjoy a good
psychological thriller!
The Talisman is truly a memorable book. What a great collaboration! Stephen King’s strength is plot; Peter Straub adds depth with setting and characterization.
To Kill a Mockingbird is the book that I enjoyed the most. Read it in high school, loved the message of tolerance and ignorance of segregation.
Don’t laugh, but Stephen King’s The Stand was another favorite.
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, but now I’m dating myself.
“The Stand” is also a favorite of mine.
“Swan Song” by Robert McCammon is even better imho
Loved the S.E. Hinton books as well.
I just finished “The Things You Find In Rockpools” and loved it!
I too loved Swan Song read during the late 80’s it was pretty relevant at that time and certainly had an impact on me!
Another book that made a huge impact on me when read for the first time was “The Birds and not by Daphne De Thingy but by a man called Frank Baker in the 1930’s, before I was born and before the idea was well and truly “poached”, also gives a great insight into the London of that time, has to be one of the first “end of the world as we know it” books.
Books that come to mind are 1984, Animal Farm and Metamorphosis, all read at school and really enjoyed (?). Other books since then have been Anne Frank’s Diary, Terminal Rage, complete series of All Creatures Great and Small, and many others that I’ve since forgotten!
The Stand by King is and always will be my all time fave book. Awesome.
Yes! I read The Stand and thought it was unbeatable. Then I read Swan Song and it became my most recommended book. Another great read is Bird Box by Josh Malerman.
I read my first Stephen King book just recently – Misery, which I’d never expected to like, but I thought it was brilliant. Totally understand why he’s regarded as such a master. (I hadn’t read him before because I’m a right wimp when it comes to any sort of horror!). I’ll add the Stand to my ‘must read’ list…
🙂
well, I was going to say The Stand by Stephen King also! I couldn’t believe & I was very upset about a character dying in the story. I won’t say who so as not to spoil it. But I’m a very devoted King fan. Night Shift short stories were also very influential at the time. My first children’s book, that I read repeatedly, was a school prize The Warrender’s, it sounded idyllic, and I wanted to be there!
The Stand certainly is one of the best books I’ve read and believe me, I’ve read hundreds in my life time.
I loved this book too and felt that the film did it justice, which isn’t alwYs the case. The benefit of that is that the message of the book became accessible to many more people than it otherwise might have done
The Outsiders and all by S E Hinton- one of my favourites.
Will always remember being read Stig of the Dump by a teacher at junior school 50 years ago, he made it real! I now will read anything but particularly enjoy Patricia Cornwell, Stephen King and the late Richard Laymon. Thanks for “the things you find in rock pools”, moving on to the sequel next!
I can’t say that any books I’ve read have shaped my life. I can say that the majority of books that I have read have made my life more enjoyable.
The nearest to changing my life is “The ragged trousered philanthropist” by Robert Tressell. I first read it about 50 years ago (yes I am that old) and have picked it up several times since then and it only gets better with each read.
I’ve heard the name, but don’t know it. Will look it up 🙂
The Nancy Drew series sucked me in one summer when my rich friend who had the entire collection loaned me a book. I read one after the other one summer after third grade…never going outside unless it was to walk to her house to get the next book. This was “bingeing” for that time period.
Yes! Wonderful book!
I don’t think any books have shaped my life, but the James Clavell are among my all time favorites. I also feel like you did about Gone Girl
Greg, after reading your 10 books, I was reminded of a Peanuts cartoon.
Lucy, Linus, and Charlie Brown are all laying on their backs looking at the clouds. Lucy asks Linus what he sees in the cloud shapes. Linus replies, “Well that group of clouds over there remind me of the Straits of Honduras in the Caribbean, and that cloud shape looks like the profile of Thomas Eakin, famous painter and sculpture, and those clouds look like the stoning of Stephen with the apostle Paul standing near by.
“That’s very good, Linus,” replies Lucy. “What do you see Charlie Brown?”
Charlie answers, “Well, I was going to say I saw a little ducky, but changed my mind.”
The first book that shaped my life was “The House at Pooh Corner,” by AA Milne.