We need to remember that literature can misinform just as well as it can inform. Literature can reinforce bigotry just as well as it can denounce it. We need to read critically; how is the writer trying to influence us? Because they are trying to influence us. No harm in that, but we should always have our radar in operation to not let them slip something past us without considering it consciously.
What book greatly influenced me? Lots of them, but I especially like Tristram Shandy, written several centuries ago. Beside being very entertaining, it made me realize that they were the same people then that we are now. Technology has advanced greatly. But we are the same people. Is that bad?
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment. I agree that literature can do many things… good and bad. Critical thinking is such an important skill to practice in our reading!
I read the book A Dress of Violet Taffeta on your recommendation sometime back and quite enjoyed it. As for your question, though, the only thing I can think of is that as I’ve said before, anytime I read a Harry Bosch book, by Michael Connelly, it seems to correct my moral compass to the right direction.
Agreed! And right now I’m working really hard to finish that first story that I can put up on Substack for free, that will hopefully be available by tomorrow morning. It will be my next actual post just like I promised people. Wish me luck!
A Court of Silver Flames that adds to this list. I read it at the end of 2025, this means a lot to me and I absolutely adore Nesta’s journey to finding herself and love during the story.
Chapter 50 features the scene where she breaks down during a hike, and the author has mentioned that this was exactly her at her lowest when she was hiking with her husband. I just love this encouraging words and no matter how many times I read them, it still managed to bring to me to tears. ‘Ataraxia’, which means inner peace from the old fae language in the series. I love that.
Wedding people was that book for me. The main character realizes she’s always put her own needs last and played it safe so goes in the opposite direction. I read it in less than two days and realized that I needed to live more myself.
I am constantly being inspired by reading. I’ve switched to almost exclusively fiction but I get ideas for my own work (as a transformation coach) constantly. I learn so much about myself through fiction. Love this piece.
Oh so many books have helped facilitate a wider life for me. One I’ll mention was Bitten. I love that it was a romance. And that it was paranormal. Life can find us in any book.
I love fiction and I read a lot of it, but when I was trying to figure it out in my early twenties I read The Deciding Decade by Meg Jay and Quarterlife: The Search for Self in Early Adulthood by Satya Doyle Byock and those books really helped me put what I was searching for into context. I also read Everything is Fucked by Mark Manson when I was struggling with my belief system. I still think about that book.
We need to remember that literature can misinform just as well as it can inform. Literature can reinforce bigotry just as well as it can denounce it. We need to read critically; how is the writer trying to influence us? Because they are trying to influence us. No harm in that, but we should always have our radar in operation to not let them slip something past us without considering it consciously.
What book greatly influenced me? Lots of them, but I especially like Tristram Shandy, written several centuries ago. Beside being very entertaining, it made me realize that they were the same people then that we are now. Technology has advanced greatly. But we are the same people. Is that bad?
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment. I agree that literature can do many things… good and bad. Critical thinking is such an important skill to practice in our reading!
I read the book A Dress of Violet Taffeta on your recommendation sometime back and quite enjoyed it. As for your question, though, the only thing I can think of is that as I’ve said before, anytime I read a Harry Bosch book, by Michael Connelly, it seems to correct my moral compass to the right direction.
Gotta love Harry for helping us see where our moral are at. Such a great series!
Agreed! And right now I’m working really hard to finish that first story that I can put up on Substack for free, that will hopefully be available by tomorrow morning. It will be my next actual post just like I promised people. Wish me luck!
Good luck! I’ll be on the lookout for your story!
Of course it does. Keeps your mind sharp and not focused on doom scrolling all the time
A book a day keeps the doom scrolling away!
A Court of Silver Flames that adds to this list. I read it at the end of 2025, this means a lot to me and I absolutely adore Nesta’s journey to finding herself and love during the story.
Chapter 50 features the scene where she breaks down during a hike, and the author has mentioned that this was exactly her at her lowest when she was hiking with her husband. I just love this encouraging words and no matter how many times I read them, it still managed to bring to me to tears. ‘Ataraxia’, which means inner peace from the old fae language in the series. I love that.
AH!!!! A book that make you feel seen AND cry is magical. I’m so happy you found a book that means so much to you. ❤️
Wedding people was that book for me. The main character realizes she’s always put her own needs last and played it safe so goes in the opposite direction. I read it in less than two days and realized that I needed to live more myself.
I love that so much! The cover of that book always draws me in.
I am constantly being inspired by reading. I’ve switched to almost exclusively fiction but I get ideas for my own work (as a transformation coach) constantly. I learn so much about myself through fiction. Love this piece.
Oh so many books have helped facilitate a wider life for me. One I’ll mention was Bitten. I love that it was a romance. And that it was paranormal. Life can find us in any book.
I love fiction and I read a lot of it, but when I was trying to figure it out in my early twenties I read The Deciding Decade by Meg Jay and Quarterlife: The Search for Self in Early Adulthood by Satya Doyle Byock and those books really helped me put what I was searching for into context. I also read Everything is Fucked by Mark Manson when I was struggling with my belief system. I still think about that book.