In celebration of the official launch of Serenade by Emily Kiebel (available now on Amazon) and this week’s #SRC2014 read, we have dedicated this weeks edition of “Inspired By” to Emily.

Here, Emily shares the five books that have inspired her as an author.

 

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

“This is the book that started it all.  It was the first chapter book that I read all by myself, 5 or 6-year-old me, clandestinely reading when I should have been sleeping.  It set the stage for my future reading interests – those books with a little bit of magic and a whole lot of melancholy. “

Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen

“I love Dessen’s writing and I especially loved this novel about an insecure teenage girl and her somewhat strained relationship with her mother.  This book was both sweet and inspiring and I truly felt a kinship with the heroine.”

Homecoming and Dicey’s Song by Cynthia Voigt

“These novels hit real emotional chords and show how capable teenagers can be when they have no choice but to rise to the occasion.  I often think we don’t truly give teenagers enough credit.  I think they’re capable of great responsibility and I think these books really prove that.”

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

“These books changed the landscape of young adult literature.  Rowling developed a complex world of whimsy and magic that was balanced with heartfelt emotion and well-developed characters.  My younger sister, Hanna, and I bonded over these books, and they hold a special place in my memory.”

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffeneger

“Romantic, a little sad, but most of all, awesome, The Time Traveler’s Wife was one of those books I simply savored.  This book was so creative and I admired Niffeneger’s ability to piece together a non-chronological story with two different points of view that touches the heart.”

PINTEREST PS!  Follow along with our Summer Reading Challenge Pinterest Board!