The Books that Shaped Me
I recently finished listening to Cassandra Speaks by Elizabeth Lesser. It’s an extremely impactful book as it made me think; think, reflect and explore. Not only did the book provide me with new perspectives on established fables like Adam and Eve and Pandora’s Box, but it also provides practical tools for application. How to work on your “intervism” (the author’s term for self-work and the corollary of activism) and appreciate the views of others. One such exercise is list-making!
As I love a good list, I started with the books that shaped my worldview. It was also compelling to see the patterns between the books that jumped immediately to the forefront. These books stand out from as far back as 22 years ago. Since I started tracking my reading in 2015, these are the works that I still treasure, and it’s very obvious they had a strong impact on the values and beliefs that now guide my everyday decisions and behaviors.
Here is the list, plus a few notes on how these books shaped me. I would encourage anyone to spend some time thinking about their early influences, whether it be books, TV, movies, music, or people.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
As a student at a Catholic, all-girls high school, this assigned reading when I was a sophomore was, in retrospect, quite a progressive choice.
This book taught me about women’s reproductive rights, religious freedom, fascism, climate change, and motherhood. Many of those lessons didn’t immediately sink in, but now are core to many of my beliefs.
Also, “nolite te bastardes carbordorum” translated from Latin as “don’t let the bastards grind you down” is one of my favorite literary quotes ever; especially as a student required to reluctantly take two years of Latin in middle school.
Part 1 of Cassandra Speaks was about exploring famous fables from a female perspective. The Red Tent was my first exposure to this concept when I read it at the age of fourteen.
At the time, I was still a practicing Catholic and it had never occurred to me to think about the minor (and female) characters in the bible and how they are represented. How their story was rarely told and their voice underrepresented. While The Red Tent was fictional, it broadened my thinking past what I had been taught as “the word” and opened my mind to the possibility of other truths.
Everyone has a story to tell. Not just the loudest, the incumbent, or the default.
The Hot Zone by Richard Preston
THIS BOOK was the inspiration to pursue healthcare as a career. After I read it, I was dead set on becoming an epidemiologist for the CDC, saving the world from the dangers of invisible threats, and wearing the badge of public health servant.
Now, in the context of COVID-19, I am sure glad I don’t have that job, but rather a very rewarding career in healthcare technology, driving people to complete actions that improve their overall wellbeing.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
This was one of my earliest assigned readings in middle school. The mystery genre stoked my love of reading and learning new literary terms and tactics like “red herring.” This book taught me about sitting with uncertainty, examination, evidence, and truth.
It was also my first exposure to how historical and well-loved works can also be problematic, even bigoted, like the original titles of this book. Words matter. Thankfully, someone in the publishing industry was wise enough to know better and do better by changing the title.
Freakonomics by Stephen Dubner & Steven Levitt
I cannot recall when I read this book, but it was also a high school read. Here is where I learned that always data has a story to tell which can be unexpected and controversial.
On the flip side, there is cause and there is correlation. We should draw conclusions carefully and always be open to a change to that conclusion with new evidence or discovery. There is a lot of bias in the world especially when it comes to data. Always approach statistics with a healthy dose of skepticism.
Sister of My Heart by Chitra Banerjee Divaruni
Another assigned high school reading, which illuminated the value of friendship and especially female friendship.
This book exposed me to a culture I was not familiar with at the time and the traditions of the Indian Caste system. Also, how traditions are always changing and morphing with each generation.
Here was a stirring example of the power of independent thoughts and actions, using your heart and gut to guide you, while taking accountability for those decisions.
This classic was a book I picked up in my 20s. I knew nothing about the book going into it but was absolutely struck by the story of perseverance, resilience, and love.
Building something from nothing takes time. There is no such thing as an overnight success. It is important to know, deeply know, why you are doing what you're doing so that when inevitable challenges arise, you can stay the course and make the decisions that are right for you.