In honor of the recent publication of Lesley Kagen’s The Resurrection of Tess Blessing, this week’s Inspired By is dedicated to the five books that inspired her most as an author, and why.

To Kill a Mockingbird

“It changed my life. A timely story, beautifully written. Harper Lee captured Scout, Jem, and Dill’s voices perfectly. The setting speaks to me. The depth of the characters floor me. It’s perfect in every way. I often listen to the soundtrack of the movie when I write.”

Away by Amy Bloom

“And everything else written by Amy Bloom. I am humbled and awed when I read her. She’s a writer’s writer.”

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

“Alice Sebold’s masterpiece.  I love her courage, her ability to reach into the depths of her soul and capture the essence of a character.”

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon

“Absolutely adored this novel of a young man with autism attempting to solve a crime. Mark Haddon is a genius.”

A Three Dog Life by Abigail Thomas

“Abigail Thomas’s profoundly beautiful and darkly comic memoir remains to this day, my favorite. Exquisite writing.”