Litsy

#fivebooks that influenced me.
Underground: That human nature at its ugliest & abject is still worthy. What's that Latin saying--"I am human, nothing of that which is human is alien to me"? That's Dostoyevsky's gift.
Ariel+Villette: Like above, but in fierce female form. No well-behaved women here. Electrifying.
Disquiet: The fractured, alienated self as creator.
P&P: The sublime pleasures of narrative & characterisation. It made me a reader.

batsy Thank you for tagging me @BarbaraBB and I'm sorry it took so long 😆 7y

BarbaraBB Love your selection and the reasoning behind it. I should really read Pessoa! 7y

saresmoore So good! 7y

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TrishB Ariel was the first book of poetry I read all the way through, in one sitting. It's still as powerful to me today. 7y

batsy @BarbaraBB I hope you enjoy if you do! 7y

batsy @saresmoore ❤️ Might you be persuaded to share your picks? 🤗 7y

batsy @TrishB Yes! It seems to gain power the older I get. 7y

RohitSawant Wonderful! 7y

batsy @rohit-sawant Thank you! If you want to share yours, I'd love to see it! I didn't want to tag anyone coz I suspect choosing only five is excruciating 😁 7y

RohitSawant @batsy Sorry it took me this long to respond, but I've kinda been down and had to adult more than usual which always sucks. Appreciate your interest and while narrowing it down to just five is hard indeed, will post something soon! 😊 7y

batsy @rohit-sawant You don't need to apologise at all! This should be fun and you're not at all obligated to do it 😃I'm sorry you've been down. Adulting is hard. I hope you feel better soon 🌈 7y

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Simona

1960s Omnibus | Agatha Christie

#fivebooks that influenced me: I can't remember which one by A.Christie was my first, but her books were my firsts adult books and I still like to read them. I'm not huge poetry reader, but I like Bertolt Brecht's poems and with his dark poetry I was, for the first time, deeply touched by poetry. For the long time I refused to read books from fantasy genre and the Lord of the Rings was my first. The same goes for E.A.Poe and his short stories ...

Simona ... and Anna Karenina is the beginner for my love that I feel for Russian literature. 7y

Simona Thank you for the tag @BarbaraBB 😘 This is my this week list, but if you ask me the same question next week, I'm sure that my answer will be different 🤷‍♀️ 7y

BarbaraBB Agatha Christie, what a good one! I could have used her as well. And I love your edition of Anna Karenina. Great choices! 7y

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Natasha.C.Barnes That cover for Anna Karenina is so cool! 7y

bedandabook Agatha Christie was my first grown up read, too. We didn't have many books in the house but my parents did have a set of her books and I absolutely devoured them. It sparked a lifelong love of crime/detective fiction. 7y

Izai.Amorim Good old Bertold! Never read his poems, only his plays. 7y

Simona @BarbaraBB A.Christie was the portal into the adults books for many of us, I guess ... and I still like to read them (and watching TV adoptions). 7y

Simona @bedandabook Library in my town was quite small and I had read almost all of the YA books in it and A.Christie was suggestion from librarian. I still remember the excitement when I was allowed to browse through books for adults❣️ 7y

Simona @Izai.Amorim I've never read his plays (I've seen only Mother Courage on the stage), but I like his poetry and I'm very curious about his life ... 7y

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elkeOriginal

The Fire Cat | Esther Averill

#Fivebooks that influenced me:

1. I named my first cat 'Pickles' after The Fire Cat

2. Mushroom Planet was my first obsession.
Constant #reread!

3. Raymond Carver stories made me a Literature major. Perfection.

4. Golden Compass was my first fantasy read as an adult. I was reluctant & pushed into it.
I am a 99.9% fantasy reader now. #noshame

5. Rick Steves made me a traveller. His books rock.

Thanks for the tag @Jess_Read_This !

LeahBergen You know how much I love your edition of The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet. 😍 7y

Natasha.C.Barnes Omg I love Rick Steves. 😂 such an awkward-dad-like character but I love him. 7y

elkeOriginal @Natasha.C.Barnes Right? His books have ALL the tips even though he can be a bit of a goob on tv 😉 7y

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Natasha.C.Barnes @elkeo Such a goob but for some reason it only makes me feel more affection for him. I would have been totally lost without those books. 7y

Leftcoastzen Raymond Carver is so amazing . Such strength and insight sometimes I have to walk away... but I always come back. 7y

elkeOriginal @Leftcoastzen Exactly. I still remember feeling like I was hit by a truck reading my first story of his. I didn't know writing could be that good 💕 7y

Leniverse I've never heard of Raymond Carver. Need to look him up! 7y

Leftcoastzen @elkeo Indeed !like a gut punch or an arrow through the heart . 7y

MinDea I have had the golden compass on my to read list for so long. I have the complete series in one book, so it just seems so huge and daunting. Maybe I should find the individual books....🤔 7y

Jess_Read_This Ha! I love your five! I've been meaning to read Compass for awhile now. The cover on Mushroom Planet is just awesome. 7y

elkeOriginal @Jess_Read_This Perfect time to start! Pullman has a prequel coming soon. I will collect all my Mushroom books for a photo at some point - but this one really is the best of the best 💕 7y

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cathysaid

Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness | William Styron

#FiveBooks that influenced me

Harriet the Spy - first smart, strong female character I can remember
Crime and Punishment - sparked my love for Russian literature
Mrs Dalloway - Best. Quote. Ever.
The Sun Also Rises - most favoritest classic and my go-to novel in reading slumps
Darkness Visible - contains the most accurate descriptions of the struggles with depression I've ever read

Jess_Read_This I love how you arranged yours! Great selection too. ❤️ 7y

cathysaid @Jess_Read_This Thanks! 7y

BarbaraBB Great choices! 7y

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MoniqueChristine I need to read Darkness Visible! 7y

cathysaid @BarbaraBB Thanks! 7y

cathysaid @Monique If you or someone you know fights depression, it helps. 7y

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Jess_Read_This

The Great Gatsby | Francis Scott Fitzgerald

#FiveBooks that influenced me. This is a Litsy tag I can get behind.❤️📚❤️

1. Nancy Drew: my first mystery and it set the foundation for my curiosity and love of the genre.
2. Lion, Witch, Wardrobe: a book I've lost count on the rereads. It gave me a sense of magic, belonging, and comfort in times I needed it.
3. Gatsby: my first realization that discussing literature could be exciting. Exploring themes and emotions is moving and diverting.👇🏼

Jess_Read_This Gatsby: Language became beautiful.
Fahrenheit: taught me to question and examine. To look at my own behaviors and am I becoming a cog in a soulless society.
Tuscan Sun: travel is a must in life. Savoring the moment and truly experiencing it in words brings illumination. 7y

Jess_Read_This Thank you @AceOnRoam @jb72 @Erin7 for motivating me to explore my shelves! 7y

Erin7 @Jess_Read_This adding Under the Tuscan Sun to my TBR now. Great list😊. 7y

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Jess_Read_This @Erin7 I hope you like it! This book caused me to fall in love with Mayes' writing. You feel like you are right beside her experiencing all that she experiences. It started me on travel journaling to be able to recall it all. 7y

Jess_Read_This @EvieBee @ValerieAndBooks @elkeo @LeahBergen do you feel like playing along? I'd love to know the five books that have influenced you! (edited) 7y

batsy Great list. Love your descriptions of how each influenced you. 7y

readinginthedark Such fantastic choices! I still need to read Under the Tuscan Sun! (edited) 7y

RohitSawant What @batsy said! 7y

Jess_Read_This @rohit-sawant @batsy ☺️Thank you for the kinds words on my book influences! ❤️ 7y

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Erin7

White Oleander | Janet Fitch

Thanks @AceOnRoam for making me think of #FiveBooks that influenced me. I went with five books that I own or I don't know that I could narrow it down to five. I'll be looking for @Jess_Read_This @norsulaulu and @jb72 Interested @kindergartenkat ?

1984- 20+ year favorite
The Handmaid's Tale- Analyzes women's rights
Love Story- 1st to make me cry
The Shining- Horror at its best
White Oleander- Both tragic and inspiring

jb72 I've heard good things about White Oleander. 7y

Erin7 @jb72 Worth picking up for sure. I felt really connected with the main character and her journey to find her place. 7y

jb72 I actually think I own this book. A friend gave it to me when she was moving. 7y

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norsulaulu Ooh good picks, Erin! :) 7y

Erin7 Thanks @norsulaulu. I had the same problem that you had with narrowing to 5 and with character count. There's a lot to be said about why these books are awesome😊. 7y

WarpedSweetness White Oleander is a great book!! I am currently rereading it for #TBRbingo. Great book choices! 7y

AceOnRoam 1984. Probably the scariest look at the future over ever read. Good choice. 7y

Jess_Read_This I'm so embarrassed to admit, I've never read 1984! Perhaps I'll nominate it in book club!

1984

Erin7 @Jess_Read_This I will tell you that readers seem to either love it or hate it. I've never really heard a middle ground on this one. That's actually one of the things I love about it. 7y

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jb72

The Snowy Day | Ezra Jack Keats

Thanks @AceOnRoam for tagging me in #FiveBooks that influenced me. She tagged the few people I know. I look forward to seeing @Jess_Read_This @Erin7 and @norsulaulu post for their five books.

Night - heartbreaking story.
The Snowy Day - first kid book I remember loving.
TKAM - Scout and Atticus are amazing characters. The story is sad, but it provides multiple lessons.
The Secret - changed my way of thinking.
The Covenant - amazing women.

AceOnRoam You need more Litten friends!! 7y

AceOnRoam I listened to TKAM narrated by Sissy Spacek which was just a wonderful experience. I'd never read it before. 7y

jb72 Oh wow I didn't know she narrated the book. I actually have an old physical copy of the book. It's such a short book, but full of drama. Absolutely amazing. 7y

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Jess_Read_This I love Snow Day 🌨 I'm still thinking about mine! 7y

Erin7 The Snowy Day is awesome! Will be looking into some of these others. 7y

JaclynW @AceOnRoam @jb72 This audio was great I agree! Have to listened to or read Go Set a Watchman? 7y

AceOnRoam I read Watchman but don't remember anything from it :( 7y

jb72 I have not read it. 7y

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AceOnRoam

A Fine Balance | Rohinton Mistry

Thanks @BarbaraBB for tagging me to post about #Fivebooks that have influenced me.
I tag @Jess_Read_This @Erin7 @jb72 and @norsulaulu (no pressure)

A Fine Balance is the best book I ever read, it spoke to me about how your life can be full of love and hope, even when you have nothing.
Jane Eyre I don't have to explain but she followed her heart and I have always done the same.
Wild Swans, my favourite history of 3 strong women.

#ReadingOnRoam

AceOnRoam The Poisonwood Bible and The Signature of All things, new additions and again about kickass women who will stop at nothing to live the life they choose. 7y

Jess_Read_This Oh! This is going to be a thinking one for me. I will check my shelves when I get home and get back to you! ❤️📚❤️ 7y

Erin7 I'll have to think on this one too, but I'm in for sure. Fun! 7y

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AceOnRoam Yes @Erin7 great fun to think about all of the wonderful books it was hard to stop at 5!!! 7y

AceOnRoam Unfortunately I don't have any physical books left @Jess_Read_This .. I googled the book covers haha, copyright be damned! 7y

Tamra Sigh,,,,,,,,Fine Balance. ❤️ 7y

jb72 Argh....choosing only five! LOL I'm definitely in as well. 7y

AceOnRoam I know @Tamra heartbreaking isn't it 💔 7y

AceOnRoam Haha @jb72 put your thinking cap on! 7y

jb72 I loved Jane Eyre. At first I was intimidated by the book, so I set out to read a chapter a week. As soon as I started the story that plan went out the window. 7y

AceOnRoam It's one of the only books I've read twice @jb72 so good ! 7y

BarbaraBB Beautiful collage 😉! Some good books as well. I still haven't read Kingsolver but I loved Jane Eyre and A Fine Balance too. Did you read his

Family Matters

AceOnRoam Thanks to Pic Collage @BarbaraBB 😆 7y

AceOnRoam Yes I did read it, but still prefer A Fine Balance to

Family Matters

BarbaraBB I can imagine but I really liked Family Matters as well. 7y

AceOnRoam He is an amazing writer @BarbaraBB I am rationing his books so I always have one to anticipate reading LOL. 7y

Jess_Read_This @AceOnRoam Ha! You copywrite rebel! I love it! 7y

norsulaulu There are so many of those I still have on my list to read! 7y

Erin7 With all the layers in The Poisonwood Bible I can definitely see why it's on your list. Very cool. I've never heard of A Fine Balance but will remedy this soon. 7y

AceOnRoam Thank you @jb72 @Erin7 @norsulaulu and @Jess_Read_This for playing along. I hope you enjoyed picking 5 great books. My TBR is exploding!! 7y

JaclynW I've read 3 of your 5, the other two have been on my list for awhile now. Good taste in favorites! 7y

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BarbaraBB

The Diary of Anne Frank: The Revised Critical Edition | Anne Frank

Thanks @Darth_Kaders for the tag. #Fivebooks that influenced me:

Anne Frank: Very confronting to read about a girl my age who lived in my city
Country of Origin: novel about the Dutch in Indonesia
To kill a mockingbird: my first English book. It has stayed with me ever since
Satanic Verses: Magical realism meets Islam makes one of my favourites
History of the Rain: the last book that made me really cry

I tag @AceOnRoam, @batsy and @Simona

Cinfhen Great choices 🙌🏻I choose Anne Frank as well💔 7y

Simona LOL I was just thinking, while reading your post and stacking History of the Rain, that is good that I wasn't tagged, because I don't know how to answer. Well, now I have to think about this one and I will post tomorrow 👍 7y

BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I saw it! I think it had a big impact on many of us 😞 7y

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BarbaraBB @Simona Good luck, it is really difficult to select only five! 7y

Ms_T Some wonderful titles there. I really must read

The Diary of Anne Frank: The Revised Critical Edition

Libby1 I have The History of Rain but haven't read it yet. Maybe I should bump it up the list.

History of the Rain: Longlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2014

BarbaraBB @Libby1 I remember it got very mixed reviews but I absolutely loved it 😍 7y

AceOnRoam Thanks @BarbaraBB for thinking of me, I'll have to think a bit on it and try to work out how to get all the book covers on the same picture! #LitsyProblemOfTheDay 7y

BarbaraBB @AceOnRoam You can use the app Pic Collage - just a tip 😀 7y

AceOnRoam Will do. Thanks heaps @BarbaraBB 7y

BarbaraBB @AceOnRoam I recently had the same 'problem' 😀. But this app with downloaded book covers works perfectly! Don't feel obligated to post, though!! 7y

AceOnRoam I'm already downloading it! 7y

batsy Such an interesting selection! The Satanic Verses was both enchanting and frustrating for me, but it was definitely an experience to read it. Thanks for the tag, will think on it. Only five! 😆 7y

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Darth_Kaders

Into Thin Air | Jon Krakauer

My awesome pen pal @Shvonne tagged me to post #fivebooks that have influenced my reading life. I tag @BarbaraBB

1. Into Thin Air was my first nonfiction obsession.
2. Harry Potter dominates my reading memory.
3. The Grapes of Wrath made me want to study English.
4. It is my most recent love. I wish I'd read it sooner.
5. Frank and Ernest was our favorite book to read with our dad. I got him a copy for his birthday a few years back!

TobeyTheScavengerMonk I almost asked what the title to your number 4 was, but then I figured IT out. Also, Frank and Ernest was a frequent checkout for me too! 7y

BarbaraBB Thank you for the tag! Nice challenge! I'll post my five favorites! 7y

Shvonne I like scary things but I'm too chicken to read or watch It 7y

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