Books are my closest companions. I seek them out by asking around, reading reviews, and keeping an eye on bestseller lists. When I discover an author I enjoy, I make it a point to read his entire body of work.
Reading has changed me in ways I never anticipated. As Burke Hedges once said: “you never know which book, at which moment in life, might inspire you to grow in ways you thought were never possible.”
The authors listed here gave me the insight and resilience to understand people and events, communicate with clarity, and navigate life’s rougher passages.
Dr. Edward de Bono taught the world how to think. Through his 62 books, translated into 37 languages, he introduced Lateral Thinking. Some essential reads include Teach Yourself to Think, Teach Your Child How to Think, Six Thinking Hats, and Creativity Workout.
Enid Blyton, one of the world’s most beloved writers, shaped my childhood. I grew up with The Famous Five and The Secret Seven. Even today, those episodes bring a smile. Mrs. Hicks, Goon, and Timmy the dog remain unforgettable.
Thomas Hardy wrote with a depth that stirred the heart. A Pair of Blue Eyes was my first brush with romance, while The Mayor of Casterbridge, Far from the Madding Crowd, and The Return of the Native stand as enduring masterpieces.
James Hadley Chase mastered the art of tightly plotted crime fiction. Blackmail, intrigue, and murder came wrapped in irresistible titles like The Way the Cookie Crumbles and Goldfish Have No Hiding Place. His novels were compulsively readable, and I say that without hesitation.
Erle Stanley Gardner taught me logic and rational thinking. His courtroom dramas were gripping, and Perry Mason became the rare character who immortalized his creator.
P. G. Wodehouse gave us Bertie Wooster and the indispensable Jeeves. As a wordsmith, he had no equal. His mission was simple: make us laugh. And in doing so, he had the last laugh.
Lyall Watson ignited my curiosity and then gently unsettled it. In hindsight, I’m grateful to him for making me realize how little I truly knew about the world around me.
Dennis Wheatley, the prince of thrillers, blended imagination with the bizarre. His novels explored intrigue, warfare, mysticism, and astral journeys. Characters like Duke de Richleau and Gregory Sallust are hard to forget.
Arthur Hailey pioneered what came to be called “faction,” a seamless blend of fact and fiction. While his characters were imagined, his settings were built on meticulous research and careful planning.
Ayn Rand was controversial, but thought-provoking. She believed morality arose from self-interest rather than imposition. Her novels pushed me to reflect deeply on values, virtues, and integrity.
Morris West often wrote about religion, but his deeper concern was how humans relate to the divine. The Devil’s Advocate, his finest novel, captured the painstaking process of determining sainthood.
Irving Wallace was a favorite long before The Man brought renewed attention to his work. Setting aside occasional indulgences, his characters, plots, and narrative drive were strikingly original.
You may also enjoy these posts, which explore books and reading further:
Books for Children |The Importance of Reading From Words to Wisdom |Legacies of the Genius | Reading: the Gift