The 5 Most Influential Books in My Life

[Fried Egg]

I saw Ian's blog on this (The 5 Most Influential Books in My Life) and it seemed like a good idea to start a thread on it here.

What are the 5 most influential books in your life?

When I reflect on those books that most influenced me, I have to say that some of them are non fiction. I don't see any rules against including non-fiction but those lists I've seen haven't included any. Maybe it's just happened that way for them. My list would be (in the order they affected me):

"The Pawn of Prophecy" by David Eddings. Although I had read a fair bit before I read this, this was the one that turned me from a casual to an avid reader, plus kick started my love of fantasy. When I look back at it now, I have fond memories but it is definitely not the kind of thing I would read any more.

"I am Right/You are Wrong" by Edward De Bono. This man was on a crusade to reform the way we all think. My understanding of the way the mind works was transformed after reading this and became a bit of a fanatic lateral thinker for a while.

"Infinity and the Mind" by Rudy Rucker. This guy also wrote a lot of SF but this book introduced my to transfinite numbers, Godel's incompleteness theorems and their implications on AI.

"The Fabric of Reality" by David Deutsch. This guy puts across some quite mind boggling ideas but his takes on quantum mechanics and epistemology really blew my mind and got me thinking about the controversial ideas of Hugh Everett and Karl Popper. Incidentally, I read this about the same time I started reading Michael Moorcock which was quite apt (with their mutual obsession with the multiverse).

"Nineteen eighty four" by George Orwell. I started and will finish on fiction. I read this quite late (almost everyone else seemed to read this whilst at school) but it left me utterly reeling when I had finished. No book I've read since has effected me with quite the same degree of intensity (although a few have come close).

So there we have it. What were the five most influential books in your life?

 

[Connavar]

Interesting topic FE, hard to think about which ones that influenced,directed my reading the most. Some recent reads have made look differently at my life, history of my own people. The fiction is easier choice since i read so much fiction.

There is a few important non-fiction, essays i have read that will challenge a place for list like this for me.

 

[Stephen Palmer]

Gene Wolfe, The Book Of The New Sun – simply the greatest. When I read this (in the ‘eighties, as it was being published) I knew I’d found the SF I wanted to read. Aldiss’ Helliconia coming out around the same time was a bit of a bonus…
James Lovelock, Gaia – changed my view of the world for ever. He’s the Charles Darwin of our age.
Erich Fromm, The Sane Society – introduced me to the concept of analysing the human condition from a scientific standpoint. Although many of Fromm’s later books were better received and more famous (eg. The Anatomy Of Human Destructiveness) this one for me was the heart of his argument.
Nicholas Humphrey, The Inner Eye – a Channel 4 series with the same title and theme drew me into this extraordinary man’s work.
Tolkien, Lord Of The Rings – ‘nuff said.

 

[Fried Egg]

I read that "Gaia" by Lovelock; quite revolutionary ideas in there for sure.

 

[biodroid]

The Stand, The Shining, Pet Sematary, Needful Things, The Tommyknockers. All by Stephen King. Story telling at its best and he hooked me onto reading more than 2 books a year

 

[AnyaKimlin]

The Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton. The lady's imagination and writing ability remains my number one writing influence. Her dialogue and characterisation is stunning. As I have reread her work I've seen the impact it has had on my own work. Silky, Moonface, Saucepan Man, The Washer woman, Angry Pixie etc are such wonderful, memorable characters. I was very much torn between this and one of her Adventure Series. (The latter have been directly responsible for how I am writing my Urban Fantasy for grown-ups)

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. It was the first work of classic literature I ever read. I was seven and I realised I was able to read 'grown-up' books. It opened so many stories to me. It was also the first time I ever cried in at a book (when Helen Burns died).

The God Box by Alex Sanchez This book has had a deep impact on my life. It played a part in me walking away from religious beliefs that I had held for nearly twenty years. Also I think it is directly responsible for the gay characters in my book.


Her Royal Destiny by Carol Maxwell Eady I was ten when I read it and it was my first introduction to sex in literature. I am sure it has helped shape my attitudes since. I remember sneaking it into school for everyone to read and for the first time and only time in my school life I was popular.

The Hound of Death by Agatha Christie My Uncle gave me Murder at the Vicarage when I was about eight and from then on I was addicted to cosy mysteries. I've inhaled them every since. This though is her horror/paranormal collection of short stories. I don't scare easily and I know it is now seen as very cliche, but it scared the crap out of me at the time and I still shiver reading it. That and the Kandy Man from Dr Who (late eighties) very much have an impact on how I write my villains.


Just narrowly missing the list were Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (another emotional death scene with Beth March and the warmth of the characters) and Spy Dog by Andrew Cope, I've had wonderful times reading that with my children and even if they are junior fiction i think they are the best written, most enjoyable stories I've read in several years. And Heart of the Dales by Gervase Phinn The latter made me laugh so much when I had pneumonia with pregnancy that I exploded violently from all ends, in everyway possible and ended up in A&E. No other book has ever put me in hospital.

 

[steve12553]

Revolt on Alpha C by Robert Siverberg. I was in grade school (about 10 or 11) and this was the first book I ever read where the hero threw away his orderly life for what he thought was right.
Dune by Frank Herbert. I was sure I was understanding the secrets of the universe as I read this. I wasn't but this was a well written, intriguing book.
A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. My first Holmes story established my interest in detective/ mystery fiction.
Citizen of the Galaxy by Robert Heinlein. My first exposure to Heinlein's semi-political Science Fiction. Take responsibility, be a man, win the war.
Foundation by Isaac Asimov. My first exposure to a future history.

 

[Allegra]

"I am Right/You are Wrong" by Edward De Bono. This man was on a crusade to reform the way we all think. My understanding of the way the mind works was transformed after reading this and became a bit of a fanatic lateral thinker for a while.

A very interesting book indeed! I wasn't too impressed by his Lateral Thinking though.

 

[bluespider100]

I am surprised that no one has yet to mention Childhoods' End.
Will do write a detailed report on those 5 books of mine later though.

 

[hitmouse]

difficult, difficult. Influential in that they lead on to other things, rather than necessarily good.

Starman Jones Robert Heinlein. Borrowed from Toorak Library one hot day in 1976. Have been reading SF ever since.

Uncle JP Martin. The funniest and most interesting satirical fantasy ever.

Titus Groan Mervyn Peake. Andromeda Books Birmingham about 1981. The most re-read book. Up there with BOTNS.

The Selfish Gene Richard Dawkins. This and The Naked Ape by Desmond Morris, and Voyage of the Beagle by Charles Darwin made O Level biology much deeper than the coursebooks, and led to a degree in Zoology.

Expert at the Card Table SW Erdnase. The science of messing with playing cards.

 

[chongjasmine]

The Holy Bible-- well, it is the book of my religious faith. And answers much of my questions in life.

The eyes of the world-- first book in wheel of time. Brought me to like my favourite fantasy series.

The Lord of the rings -- first fantasy book I read.

Oliver Twist -- first long novel that I read.

A study in scarlet -- It influences me in subtle manner, making me love the detective genre.

 

[Vince W]

Starman Jones by Robert A. Heinlein. Probably my first scifi book and started me down the garden path.

Dune by Frank Herbert. Marks my switch from juvenile to adult fiction.

Neuromancer by William Gibson. I wanted so badly to jack in. I still do.

The White Plague by Frank Herbert. A chilling look into genetic engineering and also led be down the path to studying biochemistry at uni.

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkein. My first introduction into real fantasy.

 

[Parson]

Interesting Question.....

1. The Holy Bible, by a mile. I've read through it 40+ times.
2. The Purpose Driven Life, Bill Hybels, a concise compendium of Christian living.
3. Speaker for the Dead, Orson Scott Card, it has changed the way I do funerals.
4. Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card, breathtaking SF!
5. Field of Dishonor, David Weber, I literally was in panic that the whole Honor Harrington series was going to end with that book.

That there are two Orson Scott Card books on this list shocks me in a way. I have stopped reading his books since I felt betrayed by the Songs From Distant Earth series.

 

[iansales]

I'm surprised how many people have Starman Jones as their gateway sf novel.

 

[Nerds_feather]

Are we strictly talking SF/F or broader? I'll stick to SF/F for this, and also stick to "gateway books." So DISCLAIMERS: these are all books I first read as a kid, not as an adult, and were the books that led me to SF/F.

1. Islands in the Sky, Arthur C. Clarke (gateway to serious, adult SF)
2. Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams (gateway to any SF)
3. A Wizard of Earthsea, Ursula K. LeGuin (gateway to serious, adult fantasy)
4. The Book of Three, Lloyd Alexander (gateway to any fantasy)
5. The Martian Chronicles, Ray Bradbury (gateway to short fiction)

 

[Rodders]

Yeah, I'll stick to SF too. So, in no particular order:

1. Star Wars by Alan Dean Foster. I think I can credit the whole Star Wars mania for getting me into the science fiction genre. I'm still a huge fan of the movies now, 35 years later.

2. The Player of Games by Iain M. Banks. I have read this book and it just blew me away. I have read it about ten times now and I still enjoy it.

3. The Forge of God by Greg Bear. This is the only book that has affected me enough to have a dream about it afterward. An incredible ending.

4. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. I love the humour in these books. It still remains the benchmark for all comedy SF some 30 years after it was first written.

5. Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds. I picked this book up knowing nothing of the story or the author and it just blew me away. I'm very much looking forward to Alastair's next foray into the RS universe.

Bubbling under, I so wanted to stick Frank Herbert's Dune in this list as well as Edmund Coopers A Far Sunset and Cloud Walker which also had a huge impact on me as a teenager.

 

[aaronbev79]

I'm happy to see the Bible on people's lists, it's certainly some of the best fantasy I've ever read.


1. Moby Dick
2. Beyond Good and Evil
3. Cosmos
4. Brave New World
5. Fahrenheit 451

 

[Extollager]

My list would look something like the Bible, Owen Barfield's philosophical Saving the Appearances (worlds away from "academic" philosophy), C. S. Lewis's That Hideous Strength, Tolkien's LOTR, and E. F. Schumacher's A Guide for the Perplexed. The discussion of ontological hierarchy and of adequatio in the last book has really stuck with me. I have to mention also Dostoevsky's Brothers Karamazov and Demons. And a book about a man whom some regard as a modern saint, Father Seraphim Rose, by Damascene Christensen. These books are all touchstones of reality in a deep sense.

 

[Moonbat]

Wow, great thread, But tough. I suppose they will change as I age, but at the moment, in (I think) order that I read them

1. Tintin by Herge, not sure which ne to put in, but I read them all as a child and loved them, and it has influenced my on-going love of graphic novels.

2. A Brief history of Time by Stephen Hawking - My first scientific book that I had to read and re-read

3. Player of Games by Iain M Banks - my first culture novel and still one of my favorite Sci fi, also it lead me onto the rest of Banks and left me a big fan.

4. Zen and the art of Motorcycle maintenance by Robert M Pirsig- This one bloew my head off in terms of philosophy, which after reading a textboox of Socrates to Satre was refreshing and brilliant and may even be my no 1 book.

5. The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger- When I met Sonia she said this was her favorite book so I read it, and I cried so much I had to put it down (and that was as the happy parts) so not only did it make me a wuss, it also cemented my relationship with my Fiancee.

That was hard, as I had to leave out HP Lovecraft, Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett and many more.

 

[Dante DiBenedetto]

The Pearl by John Steinbeck - It taught me that a good story with no humor isn't the kind of book for me

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams - Proved that a ridiculous story with enough humor is not only passable, but praised

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - The first fantasy book I ever read, which simultaneously cemented my enjoyment and loathing for Tolkien-esque fantasy

Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie - Probably my favorite fantasy novel, hands down. It, as well as Joe, inspired me to write novel-length stories

The Odyssey by Homer - Classic, staple Greek storytelling at its finest