By DiAnn Mills @diannmills
I believe in the power of fiction to change lives and encourage others—no matter the reader’s age, culture, education, social status, or life experiences.
Fiction is a non-threatening environment to entertain others or help them journey through problems by stepping into a character’s shoes. The visceral experience takes the reader on a journey or adventure. For these reasons, many novels have shaped me into a better person and challenged me to write better.
The following is a list of novels that inspired me and offered hope in today’s world. I could not begin to list them all, but here are a few titles, series, and authors who have influenced my life:
- Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I read these many times as a girl. I valued the love amidst the unique sisters, and the story motivated me to be a writer. I also read Little Men and Jo’s Boys. Those books also fueled my desire to write.
- Charlotte’s Web by E.B White helped me value and respect differences in others.
- The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis excited me in fantasy fiction and how the symbolism shows Jesus.
- As I grew, mystery novels from Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene and The Hardy Boys by Franklin W. Dixon fueled my enthusiasm for mystery.
- Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe impacted my life by showing the evils of slavery.
- Many books by Jeanette Oke instilled in me a love for Christian fiction.
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee gave me courage to pursue my dreams.
- The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien and the other books in this series inspired me how to reach others through story.
- Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers created a desire to write stories that depict the power of love and forgiveness.
- The Left Behind Series by Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye illustrated how we have a job to do as Christians – to mirror Jesus to others.
The more I type, the more authors come to mind with powerful stories: Joel Rosenberg, David Baldacci, Jeffrey Deaver, Steven James, Charles Martin, Lisa Wingate, and many more. These authors have influenced my life personally and professionally. They weave incredible stories with unpredictable plots that keep me turning pages.
Your turn! What novels have influenced your life?
Comments 39
I’ve read so many of the books named—I devoured The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, Little Women, Little Men, A Rose in Bloom, Black Beauty, and The Black Stallion—(and Cherry Ames) in my younger years.
Also enjoyed Taylor Caldwell and Marion Chesney, The Three Musketeers and Cheaper By the Dozen!! There are many more that escape me right now. 🙂
Thank you, Carol, I read all those in my girl days. Books are like friends; they stay with us forever.
When i was a child, my Father read to me And my sister. Of course, he was a Louis L’Amour fan of Westerns. It influenced me to want to learn to read early on because I wanted to hold the book. My Father said one had to read before he could hold the book.
Joye, Your father sounds like a man who loved learning. And who better to learn from than Louis L’Amour!
I read mostly fiction and some non-fiction. The Lord of the Rings is so full of symbolism and it made me realize the power of a good story. Authors that I read regularly are: Angela Hunt (I think The Emissaries series are her best yet), Irene Hannon (I love the Hope Harbor books), Dee Henderson, Terri Blackstock, Francine Rivers (Redeeming Love), Timothy Zahn (Star Wars: The Thrawn Series), C.S. Lewis, Colleen Coble, Max Lucado, Mary Higgins Clark, Patti Callahan, and last but not least, you – Diann Mills. Everyone has written a story that has touched me with the thrill of adventure, forgiveness (even when it’s hard), persistence, and other qualities that are too numerous to mention. I thank them all for touching my heart in so many ways. 🙂
Thank you, Rachel! I love your choice of authors and special series. (Appreciate your reading my books!) Those writers have touched my heart too with the thrill of an adventure.
My mother introduced me to Grace Livingston Hill as a teenager. I bought many of her books and saved them for a future daughter. When that time came I was so disappointed that she wasn’t interested in them.
The Diary of Anne Frank was great, I enjoyed Ghost Heart by Lisa Harris, Linda Byler inspired me in that she’s old order Amish and hand writes all her books in notebooks since she’s not allowed to use electronic devices.
Thanks, Gail. Thank you for responding. Not everyone shares our preference, style, and type of books. That makes us all unique. Lisa Harris is a great writer and friend. I haven’t read Linda Byler.
I read all of the Heidi books and the Little Women books along with The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew books while growing up. Went on to read a lot of Agatha Christie’s book and she’s so good. Terri Blackstock’s Lights Out series was extremely thought provoking. How would I act if a massive EMF took us back to a time without all the modern conveniences we enjoy. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand really got me to thinking. I adore Dee Henderson, Lynette Eason, Margaret Daley, Colleen Coble, Christy Barritt, Hallee Bridgeman, and, of course, you Diann Mills.
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Thank you, Patti. We read many of the same books, and those kept us entertained for hours. Those you read now (and thank you) are authored by friends.
I love all your books! Also Karen Kingsbury, Lynette Eason, Terri Blackstock, Susan May Warren, Colleen Coble, & Irene Hannon plus many more. Probably the most thought provoking books I have read are Educated, The Glass Castle, Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade, The Book of Lost Names, Kisses from Katie & Same kind of different as me.
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Thanks, Kelly. Don’t you enjoy how each author spins a unique story that thrills us? At least that’s one of my goals. And in reading, I want to be swept away on a powerful adventure.
My mother read books by Grace Livingston Hill. As a teenager, I picked up those books and fell in love with the author and her stories. I remember reading The Happy Hollisters when I was a young girl. The Boxcar Children stories were a favorite, too. Today, I enjoy writing and reading inspirational stories. I’m thankful to be a published author. 🙂
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Melissa, thank you for accepting God’s call to write inspirational stories. We have a powerful ministry to show others the love of Christ through a story that weaves real people, real problems, and growth and change.
I learned to read at 4, while my older brother was learning to read. There was a library around the corner and I would walk there and bring back stack of books. I read Nancy Drew and some Hardy Boys. My mom had many Grace Livingston Hill books and by the time I was 12 I was reading those. I have read many of the authors mentioned…Lauraine Snelling, Jeannette Oake, T David Bunn. Then I found Karen Kingsbury, Susan May Warren and Susan Sleeman. I love to read and have devoured many books since Covid.
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Thanks, Glynna, oh, to learn to read at 4! I love your selection of authors – friends who are invested in learning and growing in the craft so they can pass on great stories.
Ditto to your list and those of others in the comments. I include Agatha Christie for mysteries (I love to solve puzzles), and another oldie – Testimony of Two Men by Taylor Caldwell. For some reason I read that book every spring/summer for a number of years. The urge came on me to do so – perhaps because I was a nurse (it is about a doctor at the start of the 19th century), or the climax scene during a summer storm came to mind during our own spring storms each year.
Jan Karon’s Mitford series is beloved for its relatable characters in a charming setting.
Letters & Papers from Prison, Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s immortal words that always cause me to reflect on my own service to God and renew my commitment to Him.
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Thanks, Karen, Yes! to the Midford Series and the courage of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I think we all aspire to have an impact on others with thoughtful words. I know you do!
Many of the books you’ve listed changed my life. Little Women, Charlotte’s Web, Heidi, Black Beauty, and Beautiful Joe. The most impactful books I’ve read as an adult? Jane Eyre, Anna Karenina, Gone With the Wind, and The Help.
It’s difficult to whittle the list down to a few. 🙂
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Thanks, Tammy. All the books you mentioned are favorites of mine too. And The Help – oh, my goodness, what a powerful story.
Certainly Redeeming Love and The Shack gave me the push to bring Bible stories into contemporary times, showing their relevance to us today.
John Grisham’s trilogy, A Time to Kill, Sycamore Row, and A Time for Mercy, were incredible.
I love Charles Martin, David Baldacci, Lauren Denton, and Kristin Hannah. Reading female authors, including you(!), teaches me how to write from a female’s POV–not easy for a guy!
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Thanks, Tim. I always learn from other authors – and the characters. I maintain reading fiction is a nonthreatening environment to show other’s point of view.
Little Women, Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, The Diary of a Young Girl (Anne Frank), The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Heidi, and A Christmas Carol to name a few.
I loved Charlotte’s Web and all things mystery such as Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys/ Bobbsey Twins. Agatha Christie. These influenced my love for suspense and mystery.
Way too many to name.
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Thanks, Elizabeth. I agree there are so many wonderful novels that touch us and help us form who we are today.
Narnia (man, I adore the movies) and a book called Trial by Fire by Terri Blackstock. I see so much of myself in Issie.
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Thanks, Hannah. Yes to Narnia! Trial by Fire is another great book by a great friend and author.
One that I can think of is A Flicker of Light by Katie Powner. I was going through a difficult season of unexpected life transition and her message of, “Don’t focus on what might have been—you may miss loving what’s right in front of you” was a transition point in my journey of grief and acceptance.
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Thanks, Breana. You’ve just inspired me to read that book.
One book which stands out in my mind is
A Woman of Substance. By Barbara Bradford Taylor. My mom, sister and I all read it. Perhaps it’s the fact we all shared this story, or it was a good story, it opened my world to reading books.
I never took the time to sit and read. I always went to the National Geographic magazines and traveled beyond my dreams. Now books can do all that and more. Just no pictures.
Thank you DiAnn for helping us readers feel, travel and go on your adventures.
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Thanks, Joyce. A few weeks ago, a friend recommended the same book. I purchased it and ready to begin. Oh, I remember as a child loving National Geographic and wanting to visit every place featured.
The Lion The Witch &The Wardrobe def.hit my thirst for animal love lore & kindness…The depiction of Good from Aslan & evil of the White witch remain such a strong model of Christ & the evil of Satan!
The other book is This Present Darkness by FrankPeretti…another bestseller that so got into my soul of thot”This really could be pretty much what goes on in the spiral world unseen to us…Quite a battle!
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Thanks, Cheryl. You’ve offered powerful books that have also helped shape my life too. Oh, the battles of life!
Cheryl, Yes! IF we could see into the unseen world, I think we might be very surprised!!!….and probably afraid, but Psalm 91:11-12 says, For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
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In their hands they shall [a]bear you up,
Lest you [b]dash your foot against a stone.
What a precious promise:))
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Vondia, you always gift me with treasures from heaven. Thank you!
Great post! “Christy” by Catherine Marshall made me love the mountains even more and fed my need to write Christian Fiction. That is just one of many…
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Thanks, Ruth. Christy inspired so many of us to see beauty through her eyes.
That the was book I was going to mention. As someone who wanted to be a teacher, I loved that story.
Since I am 84, I had some oldies. Grace Richmond had some of profound depth. Grace Livingston Hill. Gene Stratton Porter. I read Jeanette Ole since her beginning ( She was turned down by her denominational publisher, which is my denomination. Stupid decision, they soon went bankrupt lol! ) Laurene Snelling. T Davis Bunn. As child i read the Bobbsey twins then Nancy Drew. I learned to read by age 4 and have kept it up.
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Thanks, CoraVee. I read many on your list. Lauraine Snelling is a good friend, and I know her heart for God and readers. If only we all could have learned to read by 4. I was 5. 🙂 Read on!