Every reader has books that really inspired their love of the written word. While I’ve loved reading since I was a kid—particularly mysteries from a young age, I believe my deep love for reading really developed the first time I read Classic novels for my high school English class. Novels like A Tale of Two Cities, The Great Gatsby, and The Count of Monte Cristo. Ever since then I’ve loved the Classics.
I believe this love stemmed from my love history in which the Classics are set. Loving history and the written word, I was a Classics major and English minor student in college—totally different from the period of Classic literature I’m talking about, but my love for history and literature really grew from there. While I focused on Ancient Rome and particularly Ancient Greece for my major, I also devoured my English and Western Civilization classes.
Today, I still read and enjoy the Classics. I’m currently reading Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens. It’s a beautiful story and has one of my favorite romantic lines in literature:
I absolutely love that quote, and it inspires me as I write the romance part of my romantic suspense novels.
You might be wondering if I love history so much, why don’t I write historical romance. I did play with that genre when I first started learning how to write books, but I learned that wasn’t my voice or the path God had for me. I took a year off writing as I didn’t know the path He had for me, only that He’d put the love of writing in my soul.
During that year, I prayed a lot and read a lot, going back to the Classics I loved so much. But, on my birthday that year, my friend gave me The Protector by Dee Henderson. I read it in one sitting. I’d never read Christian fiction before. I had no idea it even existed. I went on to devour the entire O’Malley series, and it remains my favorite romantic suspense series of all time. I believe God used Dee’s books to show me the path He was leading me on. My early love of mysteries, and my later love of romance combined into the romantic suspense novels I write today.
I think it’s fascinating how God weaves different novels and even genres through our lives at different times to speak to us and inspired our love of reading, and for writers, their love of penning novels.
Reader question: What type of books really inspire you and your love of reading?
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Previously I really enjoyed romantic suspense, but as I’ve aged, my reading tastes have changed. Currently I’m enjoying historical fiction but also contemporary fiction, women’s fiction, Southern fiction, romantic comedy, and some miscellaneous types of fiction. However, I read almost exclusively Christian fiction, regardless of the genre, because it inspires me.
It is so true. Our taste change with different season in our lives and with age too. Sounds like you love to read!
That quote from Our Mutual Friend is absolutely beautiful! I had never read that story but am tempted to try it out now. Dee Henderson? Also one of my favorites and I’ve read or listened to the O’Malleys several times.
I’ve been subscribed to so many newsletters over time but the emails from y’all are ones I always make it a point to read and I am rarely disappointed that I did. Thank you for sharing yourselves with us. ♥
Yes, I absolutely love that beautiful quote! I’ve reread the O’Malley series or listened to it (aren’t audiobooks great?) numerous time.
I’m so glad you enjoy our newsletters and the posts. I’m honored to be part of such a wonderful group of ladies!
Thanks so much for dropping by 🙂
Ever since I can remember, I’ve always read across all genres. I love the variety! I guess maybe all that variety is what inspires me. I haven’t read as many of the classics as I think I should but did at least make it a point to read a handful by Jane Austen a few years back.
I love that you read across all genres. I do too for the most part. Well, you choose the best classics to read :))) Do you have a favorite out of the Jane Austen novels you read?
Persuasion was my favorite of the ones I’ve read. (Don’t tell the Pride and Prejudice fans LOL)
What a great post, Dani. I’ve never read Our Mutual Friend, but that line is spectacular. Love it! Classics are classics for a reason. 🙂
Hey Karen,
So glad you enjoyed the post. I so love that line!
That is so true 🙂
Like you, it took time for me to find the genre that the Lord had for me. But when I did find it, I immediately loved it, and still do all these years later. 🙂 I read widely! I’m inspired by excellent storytelling in any genre. However, I tend to find gripping, can’t-put-it-down, historical romance the most inspirational.
Hi friend,
Excellent storytelling is a great focus to have, regardless of genre.
Interesting on the historical romance. I wouldn’t have guessed that. No clue why, though. But, you’re right. There are some fantastic historical romance novels out there. Our very own Karen, Jody, and Julie are three of my favorites!
I’m so inspired by Dickens’s writing, and “A Tale of Two Cities” is among my favourite historical novels as well. Lew Wallace’s “Ben-Hur” and Augusta Jane Evans’s “Macaria: Altars of Sacrifice” are more books I love by nineteenth century writers.
BTW, Dani! thanks for sharing that amazing quote from “Our Mutual Friend.” That’s a Dickens I haven’t read, so I really appreciated reading the quote for the first time when you posted it here 🙂