I used to watch Stephen King's It as a kid. On repeat. It terrified me. It fascinated me. Naturally, I became a lifelong Stephen King fan. Years later, one of the books that earned a permanent place on my shelf was Bazaar of Bad Dreams.
The short stories are great—of course—but the introductions King wrote before each one? He shares where he was in life when an idea arrived, what inspired a particular story, and the strange paths creativity sometimes takes—fascinating to be in the mind of Stephen King.
For a whole different mood, there's The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. If you’ve already read it, you probably know about the famous “morning pages.” If not, I highly recommend giving it a chance. It’s not just for writers or artists, but for anyone carrying around an idea they haven’t quite acted on yet. I skimmed past some of the more spiritual sections, but the practical exercises—and especially the morning pages—were worth the price of the book alone.
And then there’s Like Water for Chocolate.
It's no wonder I love it with how much I love food. And a good romance. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read it, always hoping I could change one character in particular. It’s beautiful, heartbreaking, and leaves a mark that lasts long after you've closed the book. The original subtitled film is wonderful, too.
An eclectic shelf, I know. Aren't all the good ones?
I’d love to hear what’s on yours—what book have you been recommending lately? What books have a permanent home with you?
Until then, enjoy the sunshine.
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