It's no secret that I lovvvvvve books. Even as a child, I'd read my favorites over and over until the pages began to disintegrate. There's so many I've adored over the years--too many to count! But there are a few that actually shaped me--that made their way into the soft, sticky bottom of my soul. Books that not only left a mark, but that also defined a part of my life. I'll show you mine if you show me yours--leave a comment and tell us about the books that defined you and you'll be entered to win a signed copy of Your Perfect Life! (Contest closes on Sunday, July 27th at Noon PST.)
1. Are You My Mother? by P. D. Eastman
The year was 1977. I would sit on the battered red stool every night in the kitchen while my mother expertly put together dinner. I'd attempt to read Are You My Mother? to her as she gently corrected my mistakes. And one night, she didn't have to correct me at all. And thirty years later, I read this classic to my own children and encouraged them to sound out the words themselves.
2. Any and every Sweet Valley High book
I don't know about you, but for me, middle school was HELL. But, every day I could escape the mean girls by losing myself in Jessica and Elizabeth's world, whether they were switching identities to take a test (so sneaky!) or getting kidnapped, (Elizabeth! How did you not see that one coming?!) or sneaking off to a party (Jessica! You dirty whorebag!). Those Sweet Valley girls always made me forget the drama of my day when I slipped into into theirs.
3. Forever by Judy Blume
Whoa! When my mom brought home the latest Judy Blume, She had no idea she was unknowingly providing me with the twelve-year old equivalent of porn. (Sex! Nakedness! A penis named Ralph! ) I read the book quickly, knowing it was only a matter of time before she realized her mistake and took it away. Once she finally did, I found her hiding place and stole it back, dispersing it efficiently among my friends so they could also discover what the fuss was all about. (And we all agreed that Ralph was a VERY lame penis name!)
4. Summer Sisters by Judy Blume
1998 was an interesting year--I had graduated from college a few years prior but was still trying to find my footing in the real world. Lisa and I had drifted (Taking a much needed break!) and truth be told, I felt a little lost. But I found great solace in the pages of Summer Sisters, a touching story of lifetime best friends. I read it again and again until the bindings began to crumble. And then I picked up the phone and called my best friends to reconnect.
5. Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner
When I picked up Good in Bed off the table at Barnes & Noble in 2002, I had no idea I'd discovered something that would touch me in a way that I'd never forget. From the very first page, Cannie Shapiro captivated me--her struggles with her weight, with her ex, with loving herself the way she should was really resonated. It made me laugh. It made me cry. It made me want to write a book of my own one day. And several years later, I did. #thepowerofbooks
What books shaped your life? Tell me!