We are so excited to feature author of Bear Witness, Melissa Clark,  in this week’s edition of Inspired By.

Here she shares the five books that have inspired her most as a writer.

Are You There God, It’s Me, Margaret  by Judy Blume

I gulped down all the Judy Blume books as a kid, but this one really resonated for its strong voice and exploration of taboo subjects.

Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier

I remember reading this at camp, under the covers with a flashlight. The tone was haunting and the writing suspenseful. I remember it as a real page-turner.

Dancing Girls by Margaret Atwood

I love this book of short stories by one of my favorite authors. I was lucky enough to spend time with her when she visited my graduate program in Davis, California. I treasure my signed copy of this book.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Esther Greenwood is an unforgettable character in my opinion, with a distinct voice and point-of-view. Sometimes funny, often raw, she details her struggle with depression in a time before conversations about the disease were out in the open.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

I first read this in 7th grade and remember being intrigued by the thought of a kid navigating New York City on his own. I now teach this to my college students. Some people hate Holden Caufield, but I have sympathy for him as he navigates the complicated landscape of grief, due to the death of his brother.