We would like to dedicate this week’s edition of “Inspired By” to Susie Orman Schnall, in honor of the official publication of On Grace available in paperback and Kindle today!

Here, Susie talks about the books that have inspired her through the years…

 

“There have been so many (countless!) books over the years that have inspired me. That have made me reevaluate my own life. That have changed me in some way to make me the woman, the writer, I am today. I couldn’t begin to choose my five favorites (there are too many favorites) so here are five—written by women about women—that have inspired me in some way.”

 

 

Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice andEmmaand anything else by Jane Austen

“I can read these books and see the movies over and over and over. The original—and best—women’s fiction in my opinion!”

 

Anything by Nora Ephron

“Ephron’s style is perfection. You have to be a master to make writing seem so effortless and simple. And to keep it in the family, here is a favorite and inspiring essay written by her sister Delia about cake and “having it all‘.”

 

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

“I devoured this book. It embodied every single thing I love about reading: being transported to another time and place, learning something, and a captivating, engaging story. “

 

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

“It was a thrill to travel with Gilbert to all the different places in the world and in her mind as she shed her past and became someone entirely new.”

 

The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan

“I love Corrigan’s use of intercalary chapters. This book is so relevant and cleanly written, and Kelly’s story moved me deeply. This book might have been one of the triggers that made me finally start writing my first novel.”

 

“And just for kicks, a few of my all-time favorite books: Roots by Alex Haley, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy by Stiegg Larsson, The Majic Bus by Douglas Brinkley, Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden, The Charm School by Nelson DeMille, The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, and all of Shel Silverstein’s books which I used to carry around with me when I was little.”

 

Pinterest PS- Don’t forget to check out this gorgeous #Pinterest board inspired by On Grace!