The Books That Made Me a Writer (and Why You Might Be Surprised)

If you asked me what kind of writer I am, I’d probably say: a little of everything. And if you asked what books made me want to be a writer, you might be surprised by how much I bounce around. My bookshelf has always been a blend of heart, grit, whimsy, and wonder—and those stories have shaped every piece I’ve written.

Let’s start with the ones that cracked my heart wide open:

A Walk to Remember, The Guardian, The Rescue, The Choice, The Lucky One—all by Nicholas Sparks. These stories made me feel everything. Love, loss, hope, healing. They taught me that even when something is painful, there can be beauty in the telling. I still remember exactly how I felt when I turned those last pages.

Then there’s James Patterson, whose writing is fast, sharp, and totally consuming. I haven’t picked just one favorite yet, but the way he builds suspense made me want to understand how to keep readers hooked from the very first line.

Of course, my love of stories started way back with the classics—Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Eric Carle, The Rainbow Fish, The Cat in the Hat, and Charlotte’s Web. These were the stories that sparked my imagination as a child and reminded me how powerful a simple sentence can be. Add in Of Mice and Men, and it’s clear I’ve always been drawn to emotional depth.

And then there’s Run, Rose, Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson. If you haven’t read it yet, you need to. It’s heartfelt, fierce, and full of grit. It reminded me that music, storytelling, and bravery all belong in the same place.

Oh, and one that still lingers with me—Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas. Beautiful. Honest. Unforgettable.

All of these books, in their own way, led me here:

To being someone who loves to read.

Who learns from every author—no matter the genre.

Who writes from the heart and hopes to one day inspire others, whether it’s through a single page or a full story.

Being on a bestseller list would be a dream, sure—but if I can encourage just one reader to write, to dream, or to fall in love with stories again, that’s just as meaningful.

I’m still finding my niche, still exploring, still creating.

There’s no telling where the road will take me next.

But I promise—wherever it goes, I’ll be bringing all of you with me.

#jamespatterson

#nicolassparks

#keepwriting

#cozycrinkledpages