List ten books that have stayed with you in some way. Don’t take but a few minutes, and don’t think too hard — they don’t have to be the “right” or “great” works, just the ones that have touched you. Tag [ten] friends, including me, so I’ll see your list.
Mr. Olsen's Meat Pies by Peter Cohen and Olof Landstrom, As a kid I found this book interesting and had really strange adult lessons. Kind of started my fascination with dark stories.
Ender's Game Series and Bean's Saga by Orson Scott Card. Say what you will about the author, I love these series. Everything you could hope to feel emotionally I've experienced with these books. The need for acceptance, mortality, acceptance, inclusion, open-mindedness, redemption. There are so many themes and deep characters, women and men, it's hard to find something I critique (though I may see them through a nostalgic filter). Also, even though Card has come out as a anti-LGBTA, his books have pretty intense moments between same gender characters.
Redwall series by Brian Jaques. May he rest in peace. His fascinating and intriguing world is so detailed and pretty it's amazing. A bit corny at times and repetitive plots but it can easily be redeemed by the rich history he creates. Different cultures, art, riddles, songs, creatures, and positive themes are strewn throughout each book. All the characters are lovable and there are times when Jaques doesn't pull punches. I just love the rich storytelling and entwining stories.
Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. I've seen a lot of different opinions about this work but it really spoke to me on some level. In a very hard time of my life I really connected with Holden Caulfield and his desire to find his place. He didn't want much out of life and never really fit the form society tried to push on him. I loved big and didn't care about much else. It hurt to watch his journey and see him struggling to find out who he was and where he fit; something I really empathized with.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Another novel about the struggles of finding your place in the world. Also emphasized the power some people have. Different strengths can be used to gain superiority. Also demonstrated the aggression and fear that's inherit in everyone. It demonstrated, at least to me, that we are all animals at heart.
There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury. A short story about the dangers of technological advancement and what people are capable of. The pros and cons of technology are displayed with the eerie setting of an empty house and some shadows. Kinda sparked my interest in technology and stories where it's pushed too far or where our own advancements can lead.
Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut. Another short story. This one led me to question why things are as they are in our society. What equality is and how harmful envy and jealousy can be. How some governments suppress or distort information. Really opened my eyes to take a second look at things.
1984 by George Orwell. I'm really starting to see a trend with these books lol. I hope that most of my followers have read this book. An early dystopian story about government suppression as well. The anxiety I felt following the protagonist when he couldn't trust anyone was immense. How can you really trust anyone when their thoughts could be anything. I guess this developed my paranoia and guardedness. Made me interested in understanding people, their psychology, and my fascination with trying to see beyond the surface of what people choose to show.
Pillars of the Earth Series by Ken Follett, the only historical fiction I've loved. Amazing details and wonderfully full characters. Strong women in a time period where it was practically unheard of. Some might nitpick about it's inaccuracies but it's a rich world with so many characters it's almost hard to keep track of them all; all with interwoven timelines that crisscross and almost meet then come crashing together. Also, any fans of early architecture prepare to be amazed by the detail of cathedrals, bridges, and cityscapes of the middle ages. I just love the detail imbued in each book and how the characters are so fleshed out. Architecture, social structure, religion, crafts, families, sex, love, and hate are strewn throughout all the stories.
The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Pinkwater, another kids book that taught me about individualism and nonconformity. Also the criticism you will face when you try to be different from the "in" crowd. Also, it taught me how different ideals can be spread and lead to great things if allowed.