The Books That Shaped Me
Celebrating Stories for National Reading Month!
It’s National Reading Month! To celebrate, I thought it would be the perfect time to talk about the stories that inspired me. I’ve loved reading since before I could actually read. From a young child, I always had a book close by. I loved turning the pages as my imagination sparked by the illustrations. Of course, as I grew and learned to read, books continued to become an important part of my life. Why? Because books are more than just entertainment—they have the power to transform us in ways we never anticipated.
So come along and join me as I revisit the stories that shaped me throughout my life and continue to fuel my creativity and passion for storytelling to this day.
A young Sarah Crowne reading her favorite books to her stuffed animals. Photo courtesy of my mom! ;)
Books That Made Me Fall in Love with Reading
The Real Mother Goose
My favorite stories under the age of five came from the giant hard covered black-and-white checkered book, The Real Mother Goose. To this day, I can remember flipping through its pages, reciting the rhymes I knew from memory while gazing at the illustrations. I can’t help but think this had a great impact on my love for poetry as I grew.
The Lion Witch and The Wardrobe by: C.S. Lewis
I’ll never forget the feeling I had when reading The Lion Witch and the Wardrobe. That pivotal moment when Lucy worms her way into the wardrobe amongst the fur coats, then finds herself in the snowy drifts of Narnia. I was blown away! She’d gone to another world, and so had I, discovering the first fantasy book I’d love forever.
Choose Your Own Adventure Books
Who didn’t love these books? I always chose my first choice first, read to the end, then went back to try the other options, to see what would have happened if I’d made a different choice. I loved these books so much, they later inspired my character, Sebastian, in ALL THESE THREADS OF TIME, and served as a great metaphor for time travel in the novel.
Books That Came at Just the Right Time
A Grief Observed C. S. Lewis
I found this book after losing two very close family members in five years, one of which was my father. This book carried me through.
Gift of the Sea by: Anne Morrow Lindbergh
I discovered this beautiful nonfiction account of Lindbergh’s ruminations on life while escaping at the beach in an antique shop. After reading, I loved it so much; I bought the newest edition. When I first read it, I was a young mom with my first child. We were spending a lot of time on the beach that summer, so the words resonated with me. It’s still a favorite.
North to the Orient by: Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Another Lindbergh favorite, I discovered this book mysteriously on my book shelf (a very old edition) that I didn’t even know I had. It was during Covid and well . . . I needed to read something completely opposite of the world at that time. Lindbergh’s adventure was the perfect prescription and also strange to read, knowing it was first published in 1935, close to massive historical events to come in a short time for which she obviously didn’t know about while writing it and living her adventure. It felt like time traveling.
Walden Or Life in the Woods by: Henry David Thoreau
I go back to this book often. Thoreau’s mediations on nature and life are always the perfect prescription to a world of screens, reminding me what life is about. It’s also an important book for my latest character, pop star Nikki Scott, in the current novel I’m writing.
Characters That Felt Like Friends
The Fabulous Five by Betsy Haynes
Okay, you know about The Babysitters Club, but did you know The Fabulous Five? This was by far my favorite series of books growing up. This gang of teen girls felt like friends, handling the triumphs and trials of growing up, all things I could relate to. I sadly lost these books, but recently repurchased old copies on eBay. If you know Betsy Haynes, tell her how much I loved these books as a child. I tried, but couldn’t find an email on a website to tell her.
Everything from Judy Blume, but Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret was my favorite. How can you not love Judy Blume? These were a staple growing up.
What You Are Looking For is in the Library by: Michiko Aoyama, translated by Alison Watts
This is the perfect book to inspire you to find your calling and live your best life. I discovered it at an Indie Bookstore. It’s become a cult favorite.
Other Birds by: Sarah Addison Allen
A fantastic novel that drew me in from the start. Zoey Hennessey’s adventures on Mallow Island and the friends she makes are ones you will never forget.
Books That Changed the Way I Write
The top books that changed the way I write are hands down, Anatomy of Story and Anatomy of Genres, by John Truby. The master of storytelling, I carry these books around and read them frequently. John is also my writing teacher and mentor as I’ve studied under him for years as part of his Writers Room and TSP programs. If you are serious about writing, you need these books.
Zen in the Art of Writing by: Ray Bradbury
Bradbury’s wisdom, experience, and excitement for writing are forever etched in my heart after reading this fantastic book. And while I haven’t listed the many fiction books Bradbury wrote in the other categories, I will say that Something Wicked This Way Comes and Fahrenheit 451 are on my list of top reads.
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
This gorgeous account of the journey all artists face reminded me what it means to be a writer, to create, and to ultimately send your work into the world. It made me a brave writer and inspired me to seek out the lives and histories of the artists, writers and other creatives before me.
Letters to a Young Writer by: Colum McCann
A fierce and honest testament to what it means to be a writer, I keep this book on my desk, and sometimes, in my purse!
Books I Stayed Up Late Reading
All of V. C. Andrews . . . but the Dawn series was my favorite. I first found V. C. Andrews in my school library around the 6th grade. I’ve read them all, and they grew my love for mystery and dark secrets.
Stephen King’ s Carrie
I just read this for the first time about a year ago. I’m writing about a telepathic/telekinetic character, so naturally, I turned to this book for inspiration. The novel has way more heart than the movie, that sticks to its gory horror vibes. A classic story with so many hidden themes within it, if you take the time to look.
Moby Dick or The Whale by Herman Melville
I got my copy at Melville’s home in Pittsfield, Mass, while writing Rebel Writers. I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect to love this book so much. Imagine my surprise when I found I couldn’t put the book down. I stayed up way too late many nights reading this.
The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin
This science fiction story is about a man who abuses drugs to prevent “effective” dreams that change reality is one of my favorites. I discovered it at Barnes & Noble and keep it close to my heart.
Every book by Matt Haig! I especially loved How to Stop Time . . . because I’m always a sucker for books like this.
This by no means a complete list . . . there are so many books I love by traditional and indie authors alike. But these are the staples that began to shape me as a human being and the writer I continue to evolve to be.
What books have inspired you? Share in the comments!
Sarah
AKA A Busy Lady
P.S. Is it unethical to stop reading a book halfway through? Check out this great podcast, The Lot of It, which asks this very question!
© 2025 WHATS GOIN ON?! SLN Publishing LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
A Busy Lady is written by an actual human—no AI, just chocolate, creativity, and a love for storytelling. This also means there may be an occasional typo, just to prove a human did it ;)
Thank you for sharing! I've read and enjoyed several of these as well. Seeing The Gift From The Sea here is making me want to reread that one, too!
Lots of great books here. Those choose your own adventure books were amazing back in the day. Thanks for sharing these with us.