Books that inspired you

[Eugenia Gabrielov]

I'd have to say I'm extremely inspired by the book "The Decameron" by Giovanni Bocaccio. On the surface, it reads as an eccentric comedy about Florentinian and other Italian life during the Plague. It is basically a set of 100 short stories with various lessons. But when you read into each story, there is so much more. You want to be telling characters what to do, what to say, instead of what they end up doing. It is just interesting to read and get into.

Another powerful favorite is Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre." I'd have to say this is a love it/hate it book, but I adored it. The depth of emotion and description is phenomenal, and you get a feeling for what this woman goes through as she grows up being thrown from one tough aspect of life to another.

The most inspiring books I can think of include: Shakespeare. That's about all I can say. These books are fantastic: no matter who you are, no matter what you believe in, there will be something here, be it romance, tragedy, action, or humor that will inspire you or touch you. These are stories that you have to think about and understand, and while they may be difficult at first, after the first book you will grow to enjoy Shakespeare's language.