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My 10 Favorite Books (and Why They Matter to Me)
Every author is shaped by the books they’ve read, and my journey is no different. Some of these stories came to me in childhood, others later in life, but together they’ve influenced how I see the world, and why I write the way I do. Here are ten of my favorites, in no particular order.
Every author is shaped by the books they’ve read, and my journey is no different. Some of these stories came to me in childhood, others later in life, but together they’ve influenced how I see the world, and why I write the way I do. Here are ten of my favorites, in no particular order.
Battle of Britain by Quentin Reynolds
This was the very first book I remember reading, a children’s history of the World War II air battle. It was war told through a lens a child could understand: bravery, fear, and survival. When I wrote Into the Mist, I wanted to capture that same accessibility, even though the story itself was far more complicated and dangerous. A reminder that even the heaviest subjects can be told in a way that reaches anyone.
Band of Brothers by Stephen E. Ambrose
If the Battle of Britain was a war through a child’s eyes, Band of Brothers was a war through an adult’s. It was the last war book I read. After returning from Afghanistan, I couldn’t pick up another. The story resonated because each soldier had their own journey, their own struggles and triumphs. Reading it, I recognized pieces of myself and the men I served alongside.
Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
Sometimes you need a little magic to make reality more fun. What I loved most about Harry Potter was how characters could slip between human and animal form, just like Cat in my own stories. Minerva McGonagall’s sharp wisdom as a cat, and even the odd humor of Scabbers/Peter Pettigrew, fascinated me. It was a reminder that animals in stories can be more than companions; they can be storytellers, guardians, and symbols in their own right.
The Stories of Garrison Keillor
No one tells stories of ordinary people quite like Garrison Keillor. His Prairie Home Companion radio stories were a family tradition, Sunday listening that painted simple, funny, and deeply human portraits of Norwegian Lutherans in Lake Wobegon. His style left a mark on me, and you’ll see his influence in the slow, thoughtful storytelling of the Mist Series.
At Home at Highclere: Entertaining at the Real Downton Abbey by The Countess of Carnarvon
This book isn’t just about a house; it’s a journey through generations. Menus, anecdotes, and the evolution of life at Highclere flow seamlessly through time. I loved how the eras moved together, and it helped inspire my own layered approach to storytelling across centuries in the Mist Series.
Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey by Fiona, Countess of Carnarvon
The true story of Lady Almina brought Highclere Castle alive in a different way, the inner workings of an English manor home. I used it as inspiration for the textures and rhythms of Chateau Jolie Femme, grounding my fictional chateau in the realities of history and aristocratic life.
The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Adventure, companionship, sacrifice, and love, Tolkien’s works have it all. I loved the journey, the loyalty among friends, and the idea that the smallest person can change the course of the future. Those same themes of sacrifice and transformation appear throughout my own stories.
The Duchess by Danielle Steel
What struck me most about Danielle Steel’s The Duchess was how one woman took it upon herself to make her small world better, even when that world extended only to those closest to her. That quiet, determined strength stayed with me, and I see echoes of it in Thomas, who tries to do the same in his own way.
The Kingdom Accords by Lauren Aguiar
This book is especially close to my heart. Written by a friend, we discovered, almost by accident, that we’d both published around the same time. There’s something special about walking the same path with someone you know, both of us navigating the joys and challenges of becoming authors together.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
For me, this is the best book ever written. The wit, the sharp social observations, and the slow-burning love story are timeless. The 2005 film adaptation only deepened my love for Austen’s masterpiece. Her influence is everywhere in my writing, in the quiet details, the restrained elegance, and the way love unfolds over time.
Closing Thoughts
Looking back at this list, I see the threads that connect them all: the strength of ordinary people, the endurance of love and friendship, and the importance of setting as more than just a backdrop. And yes, the animals, too. From Scabbers and McGonagall to the Cat in my own stories, they remind us that even the quietest figures can shape a tale in unforgettable ways.
These books gave me tools and inspiration, and, perhaps without me even realizing it, shaped the Mist Series into what it is today.
Now I’d love to know, what books have stayed with you, and why?