Top 10 Tuesday: Inspirations

Top 10 Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in 2010. It combines what I love most in this world into one—lists, books, and blogging. It couldn’t be any better suited for me! This week is all about what books have inspired you to do or learn more about, like climbing a mountain, trying a new recipe, or researching World War I. Let’s get started!

1. Leaving my comfort zone
“Wild” by Cheryl Strayed is all about her journey hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, and while I know I probably don’t have the heart for that, it really inspired me to push my boundaries and try new things. She decided to hike this 1,100 mile trail on a whim, and it totally worked out for her. Despite the aches and pains, she learned much about herself and met amazing people along the journey.

2. Baking
I’ve always loved baking, but after reading “Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe” by Jenny Colgan, I was newly inspired to pursue my passion.

3. Learning more about prisoners of war
“Unbroken” by Laura Hilenbrand talks about prisoners of war during World War II and the struggle they go through at POW camps. It’s truly horrifying what these people go through, and it made me want to read more about it and fully understand the situation these prisoners of war are put through.

4. Reading different things
For so long I read the same things: YA books, mystery novels, thrillers. After finally picking up something different, I realized that there is so much to be offered in literature. There are biographies and self-help books and graphic novels. The world is your oyster when you enjoy reading and open up your options.

5. Not judge an author by one book
This is a stretch since I actually read three of his books, but by the time I got to “Looking for Alaska” I swore it was John Green’s last chance. And guess what, I finally liked one of his books! It took awhile, but this just reaffirmed my belief that authors should be given more than one chance when it comes to finding a book you like.

6. Reflect on my beliefs
I read “The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks” in my YA lit class last semester, and I had never really read a book through a feminist lens until it. It inspired me to look deeper at it as a feminist and also read other books with that same lens applied.

7. Research mental health
I’ve read Sylvia Plath and Susanna Kaysen (Girl, Interrupted) and I’m currently reading Ken Kesey, and reading all these authors really makes me want to learn more about mental health and it’s perception now and in the past.

That’s all I’ve got for you this week! Let me know what you’ve been inspired to do just from one book in the comments below.

Happy reading,
Kimberly