Lifted from Old Man Nevets. The mission: List approximately 10 books with known influence on your writing life. Aye-aye, mon capitaine.

William Faulkner - Sanctuary

So much of the action is understated, understood in this journey into darkness, racism, classism and sexual violence. At its most dense, the voice excludes the reader. And despite being shoved aside repeatedly, the reader keeps chasing the story.

C.S. Lewis, fiction - Perelandra.

Nevets already mentioned the first book of the Science Fiction Trilogy, Out of the Silent Planet. I claim Perelandra for the descriptions, the Romance (quest) and the symbolism. This book taught me to play with old stories, tweak them, move the setting, insert extra characters. In the same vein, I should mention Lewis's Till We Have Faces. It stands alone much better than Perelandra, and teaches many of the same lessons.

Marilynne Robinson - Gilead

This book blew my mind parts away. Thick with nostalgia, religion, regionalisms and parental affection, my interest never flagged. Like Faulkner, this book taught me about voice, but not obfuscating the story, unfolding.

Bill Watterson - Calvin and Hobbes

A llesson in youth, love, friendship and (authorial) irony. This comic showed me joy and storybuilding and memorable characters. Also, how much I wish I had the skills of an artist.

James Joyce - Dubliners

It's all about connection and progression.

J.D. Salinger - Nine Stories (Pretty Mouth and Green My Eyes)

I didn't care for Salinger's Catcher. But this particular story, in spare economy and limited perspective, is beautiful as only minimalism can be beautiful. Which is a lot different from Southern Gothic.

Samuel Beckett - Waiting for Godot

Another narrative that thrives on economy, Godot taught me how much your characters can say without actually speaking volumes.

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listening to Emery - The Cheval Glass