In this weeks edition of Inspired By, we are featuring Suzanne Hayes Palmieri, author of The Witch of Little Italy.  Below, Suzanne has shared her top five books that have  inspired her most while writing her latest book.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

 After recently arriving at her uncle’s estate, orphaned Mary Lennox is spoiled and convinced she will not enjoy her new home.  She soon discovers an arched doorway that leads to an overgrown garden that has been abandoned since her aunt’s death.  Mary begins to transform the garden into something beautiful, unaware that she too is changing for the better.

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

In Kerala, India,  in 1969, fraternal twins Esthappen and Rahel experience an interesting childhood.  Their mother fled an abusive marriage to live with their blind grandmother, their beloved uncle Chacko, and their enemy, baby Kochamma.  When their Uncle’s English ex-wife brings their daughter for a Christmas visit, the twins learn that things can change in a day

Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury

Dandelion Wine is a  1967 semi-autobiographical novel of Ray Bradbury’s life.  A wine made with dandelion petals and citrus fruits is made by his grandfather and serves as a metaphor for packing all of the joys of summer into a single bottle.

Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson

 A story about two sisters who grow up haphazardly, first under the care of their competent grandmother, then of two comically bumbling great-aunts, and finally Sylvie, their eccentric and remote aunt.  They live in a town where their grandfather died in a train wreck and their mother drove off a cliff to her death.  The sisters struggle toward adulthood with loss and survival.

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Set during the American Civil War, Gone With the Wind is an unforgettable tale of love and loss, of a nation mortally divided and its people forever changed. 

P.S. Don’t forget to check out Suzanne’s Pinterest Board!