Authors in general build up their entire career and knowledge on reading hundreds of books. An author is always in love with the written word, but each author will have his own preferences in regards to literary writing, the topic discussed or the style of the writing itself. Let’s check out what 7 great contemporary authors tell about that one book they are most thankful for.
Alexander Chee: “Close to the Knives” by David Wojnarowicz
Alexander Chee told in an interview that his most inspirational book is the one entitled “Close to the Knives” by D. Wojnarowicz. The author recalls that he accidentally stumbled upon this book in his own library, and when he opened it he noticed the book was signed by the author and dedicated “For Alex”.
Alexander Chee never remembered how he got that book, or when the author signed it for him. What mattered was that he read it and felt this literary work will put a powerful stamp on his becoming as an author and personal development. ‘Close to the Knives- A Memoir of Disintegration’ is a thorough and highly emotional description of the author’s battle with AIDS, in a period when this disease was nothing more than a huge taboo.
Alexander Chee’s next book is due to come to the shelves in February 2016 and it is entitled “The Queen of the Night”.
Saeed Jones: “Sula” by Toni Morrison
Saeed Jones is a young and prosperous contemporary author who remembers that in 10th grade he read ‘Sula’ by Toni Morrison. The book took him on a fantastic journey he will never forget, and he is incredibly thankful to this particularbook for opening up new horizons in his personal development.
Saeed Jones also remembers this book is so dear to him because it was his mother that bought it while she was in college. Unfortunately, she never graduated, but made sure to keep all her books nicely on a shelf. This is one more reason that made Saeed so bond with ‘Sula’ by Toni Morrison.
‘Prelude to Bruise’ is a poetry collection by Saeed Jones that brought him the PEN/Joyce Osterweil award for poetry in 2015.
Angela Flournoy: “The New Oxford Annotated Bible”
The author tells the most important book in her life is “The New Oxford Annotated Bible”. As a little girl, she grew up in a house full of bibles, and then when she came to an age she could read she simply loved the book. She recalls the bible fascinated her not only as spiritual, but also as a historical piece of writing that is filled with fabulous characters and interesting events.
“The Turner House” is Angela Flournoy’s important literary work that was enlisted as afinalist for the National Book Award. She is alsoshortlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Price.
Rainbow Rowell: Among Others by Jo Walton
Rainbow Rowell recalls reading a beautiful book that simply swept her away. It was so beautifully written, filled with fantasy and gorgeous characters and events. This book is “Among Others” by Jo Walton. The reason for which she is so thankful is that the book came into her hands during a time that she was quite stressful and she couldn’t focus on her own writing. The book helped her step out of this writer’s block and general bad mood surrounding her.
Rainbow Rowell is an acclaimed contemporary author and her works include “Carry On” and “Eleanor & Park”.
Celeste Ng: “The Complete Poems” by Anne Sexton
One of the biggest literary influences for Celeste Ng is represented by the poems of Anne Sexton. The author remembers how ‘The Complete Poems’ was the first book she ever bought herself. These poems also gave her comfort and wellbeing when the author struggled with depression in adolescence.
‘Everything I Never Told You’ is the book written by Celesete Ng, which is a New York Times bestseller.
Junot Diaz: “Dawn” by Octavia Butler
‘Dawn’ by OctaviaE.Butler is a piece of realist neo-slave narrative that left a huge imprint on Junot Diaz’s development as an author. The author considers the book a brilliantwork of art, a different piece of literature that whatyou can find out there. Diaz also considers this particular book gives great hopes to him for the development of a new genre called African diasporic science fiction.
Junot Diaz is the author of several novels, among which it is important to mention “This is How you Lose Her” and ‘Drown’.
R.L. Styne: “Dandelion Wine” by Ray Bradbury
Styne is particularly thankful for “Dandelion Wine’” because it is an amazing depiction of childhood. It is such a powerful narrative that it makes you think such a childhood never even existed. The book is actually an interpretation of events and characters of Ray Bradbury’s childhood home town in Waukegan Illinois.
R.L. Styne is a highly acclaimed author, having published 300+ books. His most well-known literary piece is ‘Goosebumps”.
