I was getting ahead of myself when I made my list of 100 books…It turns out that Sellers recommends choosing six books for deep study while you’re writing a novel.
Five of my six are above. In Chapter after Chapter, Sellers writes about choosing three books on craft and three novels that have greatly inspired your work in progress. The books on craft that I’ve chosen are classics (The Artist’s Way, Bird by Bird, and Chapter after Chapter). Run to the bookstore if you have not already read them.
I chose Charlaine Harris’ first book, Dead Until Dark, because she has created an addictive, edgy, entertaining world that I want to revisit over and over again. I cannot wait for her next book to be on the shelves because I am so dedicated to her characters and she consistently adds new dimensions to their universe.
The Handmaid’s Tale has been a huge inspiration to me because it has shown me that sci-fi doesn’t have to be in outer space. Atwood pushes boundaries (so creepy!), but I never second guess her because I can tell that she believes in her world 100% and has thought out every aspect of HMT’s futuristic setting. Thank you Sarah for recommending this book!
The third novel is on loan to a friend. I may need to pick up a new copy. I’ll write about my third novel choice when I get it in my hot little hands again. I’ve been meaning to go to the Ivy Bookshop down the street for a very long time and this may be the perfect excuse!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I love Bird by Bird oh so much! I say read what you feel like reading when you feel like reading it, but that’s just me.
You’re the one who recommended it to me:) I’m starting to learn that you’re right about the reading part. I was setting myself up for disaster with that list of 100!
Allie, didn’t we do “B by B” in Intro to Creative Writing in Fall 2001?