It’s important for writers to also be readers. By reading other books, you can learn new writing methods and find inspiration for characters, plots, and genre tropes.
Here are a few books I’ve personally loved the last few years. They’ve all inspired me in some way and I find that they’re often in the back of my mind throughout the day.
- Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury: This dystopian sci-fi novel gives readers a lot to think about. Advances in technology create new problems, including the banning and burning of books. It makes readers take a hard look at past, present, and future as well as the consequences of society.
- I’m Fine, But You Appear to Be Sinking by Leyna Krow: This collection of short stories combines the everyday with the completely weird. Some stories will make you laugh, some will disturb you, and all of them leave you with ideas you hadn’t considered before. This is one of my all-time favorite reads.
- The Midnight Library by Matt Haig: This novel depicts all the different paths a single character could have had throughout her life and tells the story of how she chooses through trial and error. This book is in the back of my mind every single day.
- The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow: This is my favorite fantasy book. It tells the story of doors; doors that are scattered throughout the worlds and cannot be easily discovered. Follow the main character through twists and turns, betrayal, and plenty of inspiring worldbuilding.
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