Well I have been assigned The Man With No Chin for this April Fool’s and, while browsing his contributions for this site, I decided on a top five list. Yes, he did a top nine list back in the day but it’s hard enough for me to decide on a top five of something. Making lists that go up to nine near impossible for me most of the time.
And to keep with the theme of his Disney top nine list I’ve decided to list things that influenced me when I was a kid (from nine years old to mid to late teens). Of course, as you’ll soon find out, I was a dark child.
#5 Earthsea series by Ursula K. LeGuin
This is a series of books that I take away one main thing: the importance of names.
Yes, the series is well put together but that’s what I remember most about it. Heck, outside of my writing I like to take that to heart. It’s one of the reasons I want to change my name. My Mom named me after a friend in high school that she has lost touch with since before I was born.
#4 The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King
This book was my entry way into Stephen King. I had picked up the book in my local library with the thought that even if I didn’t like it that it was a short read. I loved the book and I ended up really admiring King by the end of it. One of the things that I love with his writing is that anyone can die, even if you’re a child.
#3 Dune books
Okay, I am horrible at making these types of lists when there is so much to choose from. I majored in English because I have a big love of reading so I read a lot when I was younger. I’m picking this series of books, though I have still to finish all the prequels, as it introduced me to the pain of a series ended too soon. There was a cliffhanger at the end that was so hard to take. Recently Frank Herbert’s son has continued the series so the cliffhanger is resolved. I will be reading the continuation after I finish the series of books I’m already reading.
#2 Michael Cricthon and Isaac Asimov books
Those two authors helped shape me into the sci-fi lover I am today. I could’ve not read them and still loved sci-fi, but they gave me a great respect for the genre. They showed me that sci-fi wasn’t just flashy lightsabers, but included a whole range of topics in modern day. So I thank both of these deceased men for helping me.
#1 Animorphs series by K.A.Applegate
Now Animorphs has affected me in so many ways I won’t be able to get all the ways out here. One of the ways is my adoration of sci-fi. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that this was my first series and it ended up being my most loved genre. It is also written in first person which is the only viewpoint I can write well in. For a kid’s series it is really dark, just mention the ant morph to any Animorphs fan or say the words ‘You Mattered’ and be prepared for shivers and tears, so I’ve learned from an early age that happy endings aren’t always a thing and that isn’t bad.
I hope you all had a good April Fool’s Day. This post was a day late but, hey, no one can be perfect. Not even me.
