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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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10 comments:

NoBS said...

I'm with you on the best-seller thing. But you probably read both of my blogs and know that about me.

Anonymous said...

Hi Terri, you have great readings here.

Btw, juts want to say congratulations for guessing my WW yesterday - you were the first one to mention "chicken". You can check out the the answers of all who drop by my entry yesterday -

http://sunshineleneforlife.com/2009/01/21/ww-what-can-you-see/

i wishyou have EC account then i could have send some hundreds of EC credits.

Thanks for dropping by. I look forward to your visit again.

Caspette said...

I must confess I am wary of best sellers, but having said that I am also wary of most book prizes. I seem to fall some where in between.

I whole heartedly agree about Stephanie Meyer and throw in that Dan Brown too bleah.

These days I tend to lean towards fantasy,"light" books such as cosy mysteries/chick lit, and young adult.

Great post!

SmilingSally said...

The Best Seller List has never motivated me to buy and read its titles. The recommendations of others catches my eye. Happy BTT.

Amanda said...

I had never planned to read Stephenie Meyer either, but a friend made a deal with me - she'd try Harry Potter if I tried Twilight. Just the first book. So I'm halfway through (the first book) now...

teabird said...

I haven't done this week's BBT, but I'm with you:almost no bestsellers. I get a lot of ideas from reading book blogs, from cataloging at the library (kid in a toy-store time), and seeing what my GoodReads (and, sometimes, Library Thing) friends are reading. In fact, The Golden Notebookis on my definite-this-year list. I'll be very interested in your comments -

(if you comment on Tea Leaves, I can't answer directly because your e-mail address doesn't come through...)

Beth F said...

I have never been inspired by the best-seller lists. I don't think my tastes match those of the general public! Nice answer.

Anonymous said...

I'm not inspired by best-seller lists, either, but I am inspired by my favorite authors as well as many other things.

Confuzzled Shannon said...

I have read best seller occasionally and they are usually meh. Althought I admit it I hooked on the Stephanie Meyers bandwagon.

Literary Feline said...

I am still thinking of how I want to respond to this question. It's been interesting to see the many different approaches respondents are taking. And so many I can agree with, including some of the points you make.