5 Books That Shaped My Writing (And How I Found Them)
Books have the power to entertain, challenge, and even redirect the course of our lives. For me, a few unforgettable stories did all of that—and more. Some I stumbled upon by accident. Others found me at just the right time. Each of them left a mark, not just as a reader, but as a writer.
Here are five books that influenced the way I write, create, and consume stories today.
1. The Partner
by John Grisham
I’m old enough to remember books on tape. While I never really jumped on that bandwagon, The Partner ended up being my first audiobook—and it almost didn’t happen.
Let me set the scene: a 13-hour trip in a busted U-Haul with all my worldly possessions. Not exactly glamorous. But that journey became unforgettable thanks to this book. From the opening chapter, I was hooked—trying to unravel what happened to the main character while every twist pulled me deeper into the mystery.
The ending? Completely unexpected. Even though I haven’t listened to it again since that trip back in 2013, The Partner changed how I viewed storytelling—and introduced me to audiobooks as a whole new way to consume fiction.
2. Blue Labyrinth
by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
If The Partner opened my ears to audiobooks, Blue Labyrinth opened my eyes to the art of series writing.
I discovered this book through a random Audible sale—buy one, get one free. I was intrigued by the synopsis, and within minutes of starting Chapter 2’s pulse-pounding chase scene, I knew I had found something special.
By the time I reached the final page, I realized I had just finished book 14 in the series. What did I do? I went straight back to book one. Since then, I’ve listened to every title in the series. Blue Labyrinth showed me the power of long-form storytelling—and planted the seed that would grow into my own book series.
3. The Da Vinci Code
by Dan Brown
While the first two books I experienced through audio, The Da Vinci Code was one I read cover to cover in its physical form. It was the first non-academic book I picked up after graduating college (the second, if you’re curious, was Episode III – Revenge of the Sith—but I digress).
What stood out most was how immersed I felt. I wasn’t just reading—I was there, walking the halls of the Louvre, solving clues in real-time with Robert Langdon. It pulled me in completely. That feeling of full immersion is something I strive to replicate in every book I write.
And with a new Robert Langdon novel on the way? Yeah, I’m counting down the days.
4. The Gray Man
by Mark Greaney
What can I say? If you know Court Gentry, then you know he’s a force to be reckoned with.
The idea that the government who trained him would become his greatest threat? I was in from the start. The slow, strategic build-up surrounding the mysterious “Kiev operation” that keeps getting hinted at—without ever being fully explained—had me burning through the pages.
But what truly keeps me invested is the character building. The way these characters evolve and balance one another across each book is masterful. At this point, I’ve become so in sync with them that I can often predict their moves before they happen—and I love every second of it.
5. Annihilation
by Yours Truly
They say as a parent, you’re not supposed to have a favorite child. And as an author, maybe you shouldn’t have a favorite book.
But let’s be real—Annihilation is my favorite. (So far.)
It’s book three in the Donatella series and marks the explosive conclusion to the Terri Buckley arc. The inevitable collision between Donatella and Terri—driven by years of pain, revenge, and raw emotion—comes to a head in a way that had even me, the writer, on edge.
Terri’s scorched-earth mission to destroy those who wronged her—from her abuser to those complicit in her suffering—is gripping, unapologetic, and heartbreakingly human. Writing this book felt like watching two storms collide, and I couldn’t look away.
Final Thoughts
Whether they came to me through a physical page, a whispered voice in my headphones, or a long U-Haul drive down an uncertain road, these books have stayed with me. Each one pushed me closer to becoming the writer I am today.
And if you’re a reader—or a writer looking for inspiration—I highly recommend checking them out. Who knows? One of them might just change the way you tell stories too.