Mostly True Memoirs
My Favorite Books
I’m an avid reader.
I’ve always been an avid reader.
It thrills me when someone reads a book I’ve recommended.
If you want to be a writer, you have to be a reader.
Although you can simply be a reader for the sake of reading.
You don’t have to write.
I’m going to talk about my favorite books today.
These are books that have inspired me in my writing.
I’ll include links so you can buy the books if you want to.
And yes, I’ll get a commission, a very, very small commission, if you make a purchase.
Let’s Talk About The Classics
John Steinbeck
My favorite book of all time is East of Eden by John Steinbeck.
It’s the retelling of the story of Cain and Abel throughout several generations of the Trask family.
It’s a story of love, of hate, of sin, of redemption, and of regret.
Most importantly, it raises the issue of free will versus destiny.
John Steinbeck wrote many other classics including Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath and Cannery Row.
I’ve read them all, and I’ve loved them all.
I would highly recommend reading Steinbeck.
Betty Smith
Another book I’ve always loved is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.
It’s the coming of age tale of a girl named Francie Nolan at the turn of the 20th century.
In this story about the immigrant experience, Francie demonstrates hope and courage in the face of hardship and poverty.
Betty Smith writes her characters from a poignant, personable, and insightful perspective.
Her books are always an easy, pleasant read.
Although this story is about a specific girl, it is representative of the entire immigrant wave in the early 1900s.
It’s everyone’s story.
Betty Smith also wrote Maggie-Now, Joy In The Morning and Tomorrow Will Be Better.
They’re all great reads, but A Tree Grows In Brooklyn is my favorite.
Anne Tyler
Anne Tyler is a modern classic writer.
She’s written over 20 books.
Dinner At The Homesick Restaurant, The Accidental Tourist and A Patchwork Planet are a few of my favorites.
Tyler’s stories are usually set in Baltimore, and they often include quirky, oddball characters with lots of realistic family dysfunction.
Digging To America is a great read.
It’s the story of two families who meet in the airport while waiting to welcome their adopted baby daughters.
The families become lifelong friends.
The story touches on the themes of assimilation, belonging, alientation, and family.
My very favorite Anne Tyler book is Back When We Were Grownups.
It’s the story of a woman who wonders what her life might have been like if she had made different choices.
She discovers, after some very painful soul searching, that she has been on the right path all the time.
My Favorite Books
These are just a few of the books that have made a lasting impression on me.
One of these days I’ll make recommendations about other genres I have loved including mysteries, westerns, biographies, memoir, comedy, history, inspiration, instruction, children’s literature and so much more.
Let me know in the comments which books have made a lasting impression with you.
Maybe I’ll find a new favorite!
Liz Brenner
Everyone has a story to tell.
Even you.
Especially you.
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