1) The Poisonwood Bible -- eloquently describes the repercussions of a hell-bent determination that one religion can be right for every one.
2) The History of Love -- the author seemed to be describing me in a light I've never seen myself.
3) The Feminine Mystique -- a revolutionary text that turned out to be much more peaceful than I'd ever heard it described to be.
4) Hundred Years of Solitude -- the drowsy, dreamlike passage of time gave me an education on history, and the description of the Banana Massacre opened my eyes to US involvement in Latin America.
5) The Princess Bride -- hilarious. When I recommended this book to "a friend", she asked if I knew where she could get a copy of the unabridged version. Hehe
6) A Tree Grows in Brooklyn -- recommended by one of my favorite teachers. The story of a girl growing up in difficult circumstances, with a happy ending!
7) All the Kings Men -- made me try, for the first time, to define myself not in terms of relationships with other people.
8) East of Eden -- not quite sure why this had such a big impact on me. Probably because I was afraid of being like Kathy.
9) I Capture the Castle -- made me want to be a writer and keep epic journals.
10) The Brothers Karamazov -- because it changed the way someone I love sees the world.
-h
Andrew | August 10, 2009 at 3:31 PM
Seeing Hundered Years of Solitude on your list reminded me of Love in the Time of Cholera. Definitely much more deserving of a spot on my list than 1984.
Yay for Gabriel Garcia Marquez!
Kellie | August 10, 2009 at 4:25 PM
I love The Poisonwood Bible, Princess Bride, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, All the King's Men, and The Brothers Karamazov. All of them would probably be on my top 10 as well. And all the other books you listed are on my "to-read" list.