Writers read, and read, and read. Reading is without a doubt an essential part of their craft, and books are a vital source of ideas, landscapes, and different perspectives. In the course of our interview series with published authors, we have noticed a trend—their book lists are prolific and varied, and they tell a story or two.
Julie Elizabeth Powell has written twenty-five books in a variety of genres, including fantasy, horror, mystery, thriller, adventure and humor. The source of her writing comes from her imagination, which, she says, allows her to soar anywhere in any direction. Julie is self-published and reads books written by independent writers and reviews every one of them.
In her childhood, Julie loved magical stories. As a teenager she read the science fiction novel The Chrysalids by John Wyndham, a book that sparked her imagination. She enjoys magically themed books and has read seven of J. K. Rowling’s books—all about the imagination and the battle of good vs. evil. Who is her favorite author? Dean Koontz, a thoughtful, exciting, and hopeful writer, who mixes fantasy and reality as Julie does in her work.
In Julie’s interview, we asked: “Say you were invited to speak at a high school program on the subject of reading. What would you tell your audience? What book list would you recommend?”
Julie’s reply:
If you find your lives are a mess, awkward, difficult, strange, miserable…read a book. Stories will take you on a journey where you can be anything, do anything and will transport you into worlds where you can be the hero or the villain or the beast or the genie from the lamp. Stories can teach you how to manage your lives – being bullied? – then read a book about how bullies can be beaten. Your parents won’t listen to you? – then read a book about how others have learned to communicate. Hate yourself – feel different? – then read a book about how others have coped and changed their thinking.
Other favorites on Julie’s reading list include:
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Insomnia by Stephen King
Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz
Read Julie’s complete interview here.
