As an author, one of the writing tips I hear quite often is “Read, Read, Read.” We are encouraged as writers to read recent releases to keep abreast of what’s happening in the industry and keep up with current trends.
Last month when Lin Oliver spoke to our local SCBWI chapter, she took that advice and expanded it even further. Lin suggested that we should develop a personal canon of books. This canon would include books that we love and inspire us.
This was a new concept to me, and I am still working on my personal canon, but here are a few books on my list:
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Mrs. Twiggley’s Tree by Dorothea Warren Fox
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
Falling for Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox
Slob by Ellen Potter
Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Do you have a canon of books? I’d love to hear what they are.
Happy Reading,
Suzanne Santillan
Writing on the Sidewalk
Writing on the sidewalk 
What a great idea – a personal canon of books! I do have a small list of books that I go to for inspiration:for heart, for character, for story, for writing. I will think more on this before sharing my list. You have a great list! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing your list, Sue! I’ve added a few to my own. Here’s “a baker’s dozen” from my own canon:
A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
Missing May by Cynthia Rylant
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
Sophie’s Masterpiece by Eileen Spinelli
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
The Cat Who Went to Heaven by Elizabeth Coatsworth
Each of these books touches my heart, mind, and spirit in some unique way. I turn to them for guidance and inspiration.
What a great list! There are a few of my favorites on that list as well.
Thanks for sharing,
Sue
Watership Down by Richard Adams would be at the top of my list.
Love this… and so many of the books mentioned above!
VERY spontaneously without thinking too hard or too long, these pop up to my mind first…
*Little Women
*Because of Winn-Dixie
*Still Life With Woodpecker
*Speak
*When You Reach Me
*A Wrinkle in Time
*The Memory of Running
*Charlotte’s Web
*The Ciderhouse Rules
*Brighten the Corner Where You Are
*Maniac Magee
*Holes
*Burt Dow Deep Water Man
Ooh! Fabulous list SBB.
“Pop up to my mind” – ? What an interesting way to say something !