Booking Through Thursday - Inspiration

Deb at Booking Through Thursday asks:

Since “Inspiration” is (or should) the theme this week … what is your reading inspired by?

Well I must say my reading has changed tremendously over the last two years, since I joined LibraryThing. Not only do I get book recommendations from the mysterious workings of something called an algorithm, but via the talk groups, I'm in touch with a lot of people with common interests and common reading habits who talk about the great books they've read. I've been inspired to read authors and works I never would have heard of otherwise.

I'm less and less inspired by bestseller lists (I will never read a Stephanie Meyer book no matter how many she sells), but I do pay attention to some of the prizes, particularly the Booker Prize and the Orange Prize. The books that are winners and on the short lists often align with my reading tastes. The Orange Prize books are so special that two months of the year are now dedicated to reading as many on the lists as I can (thanks to my pal Jill).


My favorite authors inspire me - some of them inspire me to read everything they've ever written: Isabel Allende (pictured, with President Obama!), Barbara Kingsolver (upper right), Sarah Waters, David James Duncan (lower left), Rose Tremain, Louise Erdrich (lower right), Kazuo Ishiguro.


I used to read a lot more nonfiction than I do right now - I was often inspired by a sense of despair! And a longing to find solutions to an ever growing number of global issues. But I think I needed a break from reality.

Our new President has inspired me to read his books as well as some others that are on his favorites list, particularly Song of Solomon (Toni Morrison - a re-read for me), The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing and Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

What about you? What inspires your reading these days?
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