1. The Book Thief, Markus Zusak -- This is one of the earliest books I read that had a profound effect on me. Within the setting of Nazi Germany it explores issues that were in some ways foreign to me as a young girl--death, loss, and persecution--and the experience of reading gave me food for thought that has lasted to this day.
2. The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde -- One of my all-time favorites. This was my introduction to both Wilde as an author and to plays as a genre of pleasure reading, not just as an academic experience. I loved the whimsicality and wit of the characters, and I greatly enjoyed Wilde's sense of humor. It was my experience with this play that led me to choose The Picture of Dorian Gray as one of my summer reading books.
3. Outlander, Diana Gabaldon--Intriguing time-travel premise, historical context, moving romance--loved it! The characters and the language completely immersed me in Gabaldon's world. Have yet to read the rest of the series but I look forward to doing so.
4. The Fountainhead, Ayn Rand--This book made me think more than most. It was definitely a love-hate relationship--but in the end it has affected my way of thinking in a significant way. Obviously concerned mostly with developing her theories and belief system, Rand is occasionally caught up in her treatise (although less so than in Atlas Shrugged, which I found to be a step-down on the literary level from The Fountainhead.) The Fountainhead steered me towards libertarian ideals and caused me to re-evaluate my political and social thought. I thank Rand for her willingness to redefine "selfishness" as it has had an important influence on the way I try to live my life.
5. Catcher in the Rye, J. D. Salinger--My favorite book that I have ever been assigned to read in school. Holden was such a relatable character on so many levels, and his narration was refreshing. This inspired me to pursue a similar reading experience in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.
7. The Hunger Games--A more recent and less classical novel, this is my favorite of the fantasy/adventure/romance novels around today. A new level up from Twilight and Harry Potter, The Hunger Games was thought-provoking and page turning. I have read all three and look forward to a move that will certainly not do justice to the original story.
Baa--I'm not familiar with all your titles, but Christina gave me a copy of The Book Thief and told me I had to read it. I hope to get to it someday, especially after your recommendation. And I'm a big Diana Gabaldon fan too--all 7 in the series so far and waiting for #8.
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