As a writer (and a blogger) reading is an integral part of my DNA. It is what makes or breaks me on any given day. Today after a much fun filled spontaneous discussion on books over twitter, we at blogchatter decided that the prompt for the week has to be:
Books that made you
Fountain head By Ayn Rand
If you have been into books you have obviously heard of this one. It is a permanent reco on my list to anyone who hasn’t read this already. How has it made me? I have read this book a total of twice in my lifetime- once in school and another time in college. The difference in my reactions was:
In school I knew I would grow up to be a Howard Roark one day, in college I knew I was already a Peter Keating
Midnight Children By Salman Rushdie
As fate would have it I had picked up this book as a borrowed copy from a friend. No matter how much I say, will be less about my emotions for this. Salman Rushdie as a writer has broadened my own canvas of imagination. His layers speak to you volumes every time you pick one of his reads. But Midnight Children especially becomes a personal favorite to anyone who has followed the timelines of Indian subcontinent. *no more spoilers, now just read*
P.S The movie was far far from what the book’s awesomeness was.
All Enid Blytons
I recall I had received Amelia Jane as a prize for the first time I got a rank in class (i.e when I was seven). It was the first among many I read. Blyton is the reason I am a reader today and I am sure many like me will swear by same.
Love in time of Cholera By Garcia Marquez
This came as recommendation from a friend. A very dear friend. And hence it had to be picked without as much as reading synopsis. It changed my world. Marquez even through translated work has communicated an almost perfect story of flawed loves. You feel for the characters, hate them and yet wish they find their happily ever after. Love in time of cholera is the kind of book that makes you sane, helps you discover life again. So yes a must must read!
Also the book has used sex as a very important tool to define different timelines, character stories and angles. Showing that for times immemorial sex has been used by writers to define their works with better subtleties.
Harry Potter By JK Rowling
You remember what blog you are reading this currently? Yes the Philospher’s Stone 🙂 A huge huge harry potter fan is me. Rowling through her stories has woven a narrative that is beyond magic. It is a tale of human aspirations, desperation, fears, nightmares and love. Pure unadulterated love (remember Snape?) Goes without saying this book is as dear to me as this blog.
Harry Potter was a child we all grew up with.. it made us the adult we are today 🙂
Well I spoke of only five, here are a ‘few’ more 🙂
Speaking of books, I have been meaning to take the Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge 2016 hosted by very own Corinne Rodrigues. So here it goes, this year I challenge myself to read fifty books! And that number puts me under the tab of ‘I’m under fire’ as per challenge 😀 Let the games begin then 😀
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Co-hosting Blogchatter prompt this week with Aditi Kaushiva. Write a post on ‘Books that made you’ and connect with us here.
Blogchatter is a twitter initiative where bloggers from all spheres connect, engage and support each other in taking blogs to next level. Also every Wednesday we have a chat session at 8.30 PM discussing a range of blogging topics each week. Tune in!
“In school I knew I would grow up to be a Howard Roark one day, in college I knew I was already a Peter Keating” Ahhh!! I know, right?
I love Fountainhead…tops my reco list too. And of course, Enid Blyton and JK Rowling 🙂
I don’t know why I haven’t read Midnight Children till now…kill me…kill me now!
And Love in the time of Cholera…ehh…maybe I read it surrounded with too much hype, don’t know it didn’t have that great an impact on me.
Today’s #blogchatter was fun. So many good recos on #bookslove thread 🙂
These books have really made us who we are no? Please read midnight children. And yes love in time of cholera a lot of ppl have mixed reviews..
I think I knew what your list would be…..after the day’s discussion on #booklove @blogchatter! Yes Fountainhead is one book that has shaped, inspired many a mind. Midnights children I am not a big fan of. Garcia Marquez TBR. The other two….my all time favs too :))
Now I want to know why you no fan of midnight!
Two books are also my favourite.
Which ones Binod?
My first thought when I was catching up on all the tweets yesterday was how the books we read & re-read change us and define us through the various phases of our life. I was half way into typing a post yesterday along these lines when another more pressing thought [BlogBuddy Mavericks Introductions?] took over. Am so glad that happened.
Again an interesting prompt – one that makes you dig deep and write like you mean it.
Your list is as eclectic as one would imagine it to be. Fountain Head and Love in the Times….are two of my all-time favorites too.
But 5 is actually a small number and I’d want to know the next 5! The much hyped Gone with the wind? or the timeless Emma? How about Atonement?
I am sure in a week we would have a handy list of some spectacular books curated by the much in #BookLove #BlogChatter community.
I also plan to take that Reading challenge too . It has been way too long since I picked up a nice, wholesome , wake up through the night page turner 🙂 2016 should totally change that as well, while we are at it!
Firstly you have taken up a reading challenge which is good 🙂 And secondly Emma is lovely 🙂
I’m a huge Potter and Rushdie fan. Love in the Times of Cholera is an absolutely passionate book and the only one that eludes me is Fountain Head.
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Oh you have to read Fountain head! It is something else….
Harry Potter and Midnight Children are my fav
yay! Harry potter is absolutely delightful 🙂
I think I am actually happy to see Harry Potter on so many such lists… it speaks to how much we all were influenced by the land of magic and mystery that this one woman was able to weave and make a part of our life. When you think of her early days getting rejection letter after rejection letter and not giving up, even though she was running out of options and cash, it is a miracle the book came into existence and yet, it did and in less than 2 decades, it is already considered among the most influential and widely read book(s) of all time.
Do you know I have written a post on Rowling’s story of getting published. And how it gave birth to bloomsbury 🙂
My daughter loves Harry Potter. i couldn’t read it though. I just couldn’t get into the tale. I need to add the others to my lists of to be read. Thanks for sharing. 😉
Oh Mary you just have to! I am sure you are going to enjoy it a lot 🙂
Books make us, don’t they? Nice list you got there. I must read The Fountain head and Love in the time of Cholera. These books have been recommended to me by many but I haven’t read them yet.
Then you must the moment you can get your hands on them!
I have read The Fountainhead. I rarely pick up a book which is that lengthy, but I am happy that I did pick this one up. Loved the list. Maybe I will write a post on the same too 🙂
Would look forward to your list 🙂
One book that stands out very distinctly in my mind is that of Jules Verne – 20,000 leagues under the sea. The thrill that I experienced reading it then is unforgettable. Of course there are those other books too. Not a single book of HP. 🙁
Sorry for the late visit.
Jules verne is epic with his writing style. The genius he was of a writer 🙂 And not a single book of HP? Try one at least! Say azkaban one….
And what sorry la!
Ahh those lovely days of Enid Blyton and Harry Potter :D.
Really magical no?