Ten books which have affected me

Many thanks and a big shout out to the lovely Sandie Docker (@SandieDocker) for tagging me! I’ve tried to be as varied as possible in my choices, really to show you that I don’t just take books from my children’s bedrooms!

1.     The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon 

If you haven’t read this book, you should. Right away. Seen from the point of view of an autistic boy, it follows him on his quest to discover who murdered the neighbour’s dog. It’s moving, challenging, insightful, and beautifully written.

2.     The Faraway Tree / The Wishing Chair By Enid Blyton

I include two Enid Blyton books because I will never be able to choose which I prefer! When I think of my childhood, these stories are the stars of the show, my most prominent memories. I also believe the first books I stayed up late into the night reading! Timeless classics that all children should read.

3.     The Uninvited by Liz Jensen

Creepy as hell! This book gave me boosegumps (as my son calls them) but has also given me so much inspiration in my own writing. I adore Liz Jensen’s ability to manipulate my mind and take over my dreams.           

4.     There’s a Boy in the Girl’s Bathroom by Louis Sachar

So so beautiful. The tale of Bradley, unaccepted and self-punishing. A real ‘other side of the coin’ book that makes you pause before passing judgement.

5.     Skellig by David Almond

Just an absolute masterclass in writing. The story is calm, smooth and inspiring. How David Almond involves the reader in his characters’ lives is an art form.

6.     Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte  

I’m not a big romance lover but Jane Eyre had everything for me. So reserved, so British, so touching. I read it at least once every two years.

7.     Some Dogs Do by Jez Alborough

8.     Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell

These two books are, of course, picture books, so go ahead and laugh if you like. But I’ve chosen them because of how they’ve affected my children. They are ‘that book’ which all three of my sons have asked to read time and time again; in the morning, afternoon and at bedtime. So what affects my kids, affects me.

9.     The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks

And this was my ‘read it again’ book as a child. Over thirty years old and I still hear it being spoken of and how children sit wide-eyed, deep in excitement.

10.    Can’t tell you!

My last choice, is a book I read very recently. An unpublished manuscript I’ve had the pleasure of editing. The author knows how much I loved it, but certainly not how I’m still going to bed with it rolling around in my mind, how I want to tell everyone to read it. I laughed, cried, smiled and sighed. The true journey of the main character has been woven effortlessly into the story’s surface events, but it’s there and it’s raw. It will be published soon enough, I can’t wait to see it on the bookshelves.