When I think about my reading life throughout the years, I’m struck by how much has changed. I’m much more focused on current releases now thanks to multiple sources like Anne’s guides and previews, Bookstagram, and BookTube. There were many years of my life where I was lucky to read one book a month because I was so busy with work, and now I usually read over 100 books a year. And, of course, my love of spreadsheets has led me to spending countless happy hours tracking and planning my reading. (I always say that my hobby isn’t just reading, it’s the whole reading life.)
But when I started to think about the books that shaped me, I realized in many ways, my reading life has stayed the same because I see the threads of what I loved to read when I was young and what I love to read now. Even though I think I have branched out more in my reading throughout the years, there was something comforting in seeing the ways these four books helped shape my reading life.
When it comes to these books, I’m reminded of that meme where people show two pictures that are captioned “How It Started” and “How It’s Going.”
How It Started: Nemesis by Agatha Christie. I read through all of the Agatha Christie books in high school and the Miss Marple books in particular made me love an underestimated amateur detective.
How It’s Going: Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear. This mystery series starts off after World War I in England with Maisie as a private investigator trying to start her own detective agency. She uses non-traditional methods to solve the cases, just like Miss Marple!
How It Started: Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh. I read this epic book after watching the wonderful PBS adaptation in 1982. I continue to read books either before or after their adaptation and I love to compare them and think about their differences.
How It’s Going: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. With its multiple timelines and settings, I was happy I read this novel and got to know the characters deeply before watching the beautifully done adaptation.
How It Started: The Deep End of the Ocean by Jacquelyn Mitchard. I’m picking this one more for the circumstances around it. This was Oprah Winfrey’s first book club selection back in 1996. I’ll never forget her talking about how we were going to read a book “together.” I had always seen reading as a solitary activity until that moment.
How It’s Going: Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout. Twenty-eight years later, I’m still reading Oprah’s book club picks! I know people don’t like those stickers on books that note they’re a ‘celebrity’ book club pick but when I look at that sticker, I think of all the other people reading with me. I love that we’re having a shared experience.
How It Started: The Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey. I loved that this fantasy book was centered around a young woman. When she forms a telepathic bond with a dragon, I was hooked. (I still want my own dragon.)
How It’s Going: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas. This is the third book in the Throne of Glass series. When I read the part where a young woman connects with a wyvern (basically a dragon), I was immediately transported back to my teenage self and dreaming of another fantastical world.
Have you read any of these? What books shaped you? Please share in the comments.
P.S. The books that shaped Brigid and The books that shaped Shannan.
About the author
Donna Hetchler helps out with our numbers, keeping a high level view of the business. Her go-to genre is mystery. You can find Donna on Instagram @dhetch.
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