7 Books Every Writer Should Read And Why

It may be a cliché, but one piece of advice that remains true for anyone looking to become a better writer is to read…

So here’s a list of seven books that every writer should read, regardless of genre and personal taste.

Lord of the Rings (J.R. Tolkien)

This set of books may not have invented the Sword and Sorcery genre, but they certainly defined and moulded the genre into a format that is still repeated today. In addition, Tolkien gives a master-class on how to create a living and breathing world, with its own language and history. Love or hate the genre this is essential reading

The Time machine (H.G. Wells)

Steam Punk looks set to be one of the growing trends for 2010 and beyond. So how better to get your head around the gene than reading the book that set the foundations in place? This book mixes Victorian technology, political thinking and crafted writing into a masterpiece.

The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown)

Forget what you have heard about this book, its sheer popularity makes it a must read. The Da Vinci Code has many flaws but is worth reading simply to enjoy Dan Brown’s mastery of the cliff-hanger. As each chapter comes to a close, Brown sets up the plot so you just have to keep turning those pages. This book is just too important for you to ignore.

Dracula (Bram Stoker)

If nothing else 2009 was the year of the Vampire, with the rise of Twilight and True Blood. As a writer you need to understand these trends and where better to start than with the father of the genre – Dracula. This book is much more than genre writing and is rightly a modern classic. Stoker attempts to grapple with the growing role of technology in modern society, whilst fearing the power of dark pagan powers. Read what you like into this complex narrative but do read it.

Twilight (Stephenie Meyer)

This set of books remoulded the teenage fiction model. Don’t be fooled by the vampires, these books are teenage romances. If you have any intention of ever writing for teenagers, than you simply must read these books. Forget what you have heard from adults, these books are bought and read at a huge rate by a certain type of teenage reader.

Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone (J.K. Rowling)

Forget the wizards, this book redefined expectations, of both publishers and readers, for children’s fiction. As a writer you need to understand how Rowling writes and why this is so appealing to, firstly publishers, and secondly children. In a way, these books have lifted the complexity and standard of writing that children are now thought able to consume and understand. Rowling is the gold standard of best selling writers.

Any Mills and Boon book

Say what you like about these bodice rippers, but they sell and have a passionate fan base. The structure and stylised format of these books make them fascinating reading. Despite their predictable plots and characters, they continue to sell and sell well. Any writer should look at these books in awe…and then read and learn.

What book would you suggest a writer should read and why?

http://mopedronin.tumblr.com Made in DNA

ACK! Yer kidding me. I wouldn’t touch anything on this list except the bodice ripper (a genre in which I myself write). Dracula was good but long and boring. Same with Time Machine. Dan Brown is a good time killer but he’s fairly mainstream, I prefer indies writers with punch and snap.

garysmailes

Thanks for this excellent comment…
The point of the post is that as a reader you are not reading for pleasure. It is a job and you are reading as part of the job. All of these book sell well and therefore have a wide readership. More importantly they make cash for publishers, and the more a writer can understand just how a publisher thinks the more chance they have of being published. Notice I did say read NOT enjoy.

http://www.therosemoirs.co.uk/ Rosiebunny

Last feb I set my writing group the challenge of writing a mills and boon style story, we chose that genre because it was something no one was comfortable writing, so it was equally challenging for all. Suprisingly the most successful one was written by a guy! Reading, and attempting to write, other genres is a must- if only because it teaches you that actually writing well is kind of complex, and you really do need to know what you’re doing.

My list would look quite different though, probably because my inner literary snob refuses to be dampened by such practical thinking.
Yates, Marquez, Amis, Auster, Coupland, Diaz, Murakami… oh oh…

garysmailes

I refused to allow my inner snob to write this post. When people ask me my favourite book I have two answers. My snob answer is Catch 22, which I love. My real answer is Mr Twit by Roald Dahl….

http://mopedronin.tumblr.com Made in DNA

ACK! Yer kidding me. I wouldn't touch anything on this list except the bodice ripper (a genre in which I myself write). Dracula was good but long and boring. Same with Time Machine. Dan Brown is a good time killer but he's fairly mainstream, I prefer indies writers with punch and snap.
garysmailes

Thanks for this excellent comment…
The point of the post is that as a reader you are not reading for pleasure. It is a job and you are reading as part of the job. All of these book sell well and therefore have a wide readership. More importantly they make cash for publishers, and the more a writer can understand just how a publisher thinks the more chance they have of being published. Notice I did say read NOT enjoy.
http://www.therosemoirs.co.uk/ Rosiebunny

Last feb I set my writing group the challenge of writing a mills and boon style story, we chose that genre because it was something no one was comfortable writing, so it was equally challenging for all. Suprisingly the most successful one was written by a guy! Reading, and attempting to write, other genres is a must- if only because it teaches you that actually writing well is kind of complex, and you really do need to know what you're doing.

My list would look quite different though, probably because my inner literary snob refuses to be dampened by such practical thinking.
Yates, Marquez, Amis, Auster, Coupland, Diaz, Murakami… oh oh…
garysmailes

I refused to allow my inner snob to write this post. When people ask me my favourite book I have two answers. My snob answer is Catch 22, which I love. My real answer is Mr Twit by Roald Dahl….
Anonymous

I think I’m with Made in DNA on the choices… notwithstanding the professional need to read them! The problem with following the success of others is that it leads to nothing new. Bram Stoker wasn’t exactly following a successful model when he was writing Dracula.

But I’m with you all the way with The Twits!

garysmailes

This is a good point but I am suggesting writers need to read outside their genre. I suspect the book a writer feels is pointless is possibly the very book they should read. Dracula is a difficult case since it appeared at a time when the novel it self was a new concept in writing. I did nearly put Moby Dick instead.

dotterel

I think I'm with Made in DNA on the choices… notwithstanding the professional need to read them! The problem with following the success of others is that it leads to nothing new. Bram Stoker wasn't exactly following a successful model when he was writing Dracula.

But I'm with you all the way with The Twits!
garysmailes

This is a good point but I am suggesting writers need to read outside their genre. I suspect the book a writer feels is pointless is possibly the very book they should read. Dracula is a difficult case since it appeared at a time when the novel it self was a new concept in writing. I did nearly put Moby Dick instead.
vincenz0

Definitely a Brit list…meh!

garysmailes

Interesting thought… The thrust of the post was to included provocative books that all writers should read. In essence these are books that are either huge sellers or representative of a genre, being a ‘Brit’ the list is indeed UK-centric.

Assuming you are American, it did get me thinking about the importance of the US novel. What US titles do you feel all writers should read?

vincenz0

Definitely a Brit list…meh!

garysmailes

Interesting thought… The thrust of the post was to included provocative books that all writers should read. In essence these are books that are either huge sellers or representative of a genre, being a ‘Brit’ the list is indeed UK-centric.

Assuming you are American, it did get me thinking about the importance of the US novel. What US titles do you feel all writers should read?

Daniela

I have to admit I tried reading The DaVinci Code and threw it into the corner after ten chapters as it bored me to tears. And I actually love reading thrillers and conspiracy stories, but I need the emotional connection to the main character and here Brown failed completely.

I had a similar issue with Tolkien, but definitely recommend him to every fantasy and sf writer when it comes to world-building.

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