The Year of Magical Thinking
Winner of the 2005 National Book Award for Nonfiction and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. More
Heather O’Neill
A book that influenced me and why: A Season in the Life of Emmanuel by Marie-Claire Blais More
Their Eyes Were Watching God
One of the most widely read and acclaimed novels in the canon of African-American literature. More
Wuthering Heights
A Gothic classic and one of the world’s greatest tales of unrequited love. More
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek
Pulitzer Prize winner; considered one of the classic works of creative nonfiction of the late twentieth century. More
Judith Kerr
Why I write: Usually, so that I can do the illustrations. More
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Christie’s first book to be published by William Collins; known for its startling reveal. More
Thanhha Lai
I read because I dream of having a super power. More
Virgin River
Debut title in the series that took Robyn Carr to the top of the New York Times bestseller list. More
Francesca Lia Block
It has been said that only two things helped survivors of the Holocaust: 1) massage and 2) telling their stories. More
Susan Mallery
When I write, I have a specific reader in mind. More
Veronica Roth
I read because reading changes you. More
Brenda Jackson
Of all the books I’ve read, it was a romance story that influenced me the most. More
To Kill a Mockingbird
When J. B. Lippincott (later acquired by HarperCollins) editor Therese (Tay) von Hohoff saw the first draft of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird (1960), she saw a promising story, but one in need of some reshaping and editing. More
Ursula K. Le Guin
Dear HarperCollins: You ask me, “Why do you read? Why do you write?” Well, I mean, duh. More
Original contract for Thorn-Apple Tree
Grace Campbell’s debut novel, Thorn-Apple Tree, was one of the earliest works of fiction written by a Canadian to be published by William Collins Sons & Co. Canada Ltd. More
And Then There Were None
The bestselling crime novel of all time. More
Red Scarf Girl
Searing memoir set during the height of the Cultural Revolution in China. More
Letter to Eleanor Roosevelt regarding a new autobiographical book
Harper editor and chairman of the board Cass Canfield sent this letter, dated April 10, 1951, to Eleanor Roosevelt... More
Hilary Mantel
I read out of hope and avid curiosity, and in an attempt to live in other times, and inhabit bodies that are not my own. More
Mary Kubica
I read to transport myself. More
Journey to Jo’burg
Groundbreaking book set in South Africa during the apartheid era and banned by its government. More
Lauren Weisberger
A book that influenced me and why . . . Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume was incredibly influential to me as a child. More
Namita Gokhale
I read to share the world, to treasure words, to learn and intuit and recognise experiences to which I have no direct access. More
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit
A child’s perspective as a refugee during the rise of Nazism; now a modern classic. More
Lysa TerKeurst
I’ll never forget going through Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby and Victory Over the Darkness by Neil Anderson simultaneously as a new Christian. More
The Tiger Who Came to Tea
The beloved multimillion-copy-selling British picture book no childhood should be without. More