In this podcast, the speaker reflects on their 10 most memorable books, discussing the joy and personal connection each book brought. They reminisce about captivating stories like 'The Good Earth' and 'Till We Have Faces'. They also explore how books like Harry Potter, An Everlasting Meal, and The Night Circus provided companionship and transformed their perspective on life. They delve into the influence of books like 'Just Mercy', 'The Art of Gathering', and 'J.B.R. Crow' on their outlook. Lastly, they highlight the impact of a particular book during a period of loneliness, emphasizing the importance of finding purpose.
Memorable books can evoke specific memories and feelings, even if they are not necessarily favorites.
Books have the power to shape personal identity, offering comfort, transformation, and new perspectives.
Deep dives
The Power of Memorable Books
In this podcast episode, Kendra Adachi shares her 10 most memorable books and reflects on the impact they had on her life. She emphasizes that memorable books are not necessarily the same as favorite books, but rather books that evoke specific memories and feelings. Kendra highlights three books that were formative for her: 'The Secret of the Old Clock' by Carolyn Keene, the first Nancy Drew book that sparked her love for mysteries; 'The Good Earth' by Pearl S. Buck, which opened her eyes to the beauty of literature; and 'till we have faces' by C.S. Lewis, a retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche that introduced her to atmospheric dark fantasy.
Books that Shaped Personal Identity
Kendra shares four books that played a significant role in shaping her personal identity. 'The Glass Castle' by Jeanette Walls resonated with her own difficult upbringing, making her feel less alone. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling provided comfort and companionship during a lonely season of her life as a new mother. 'An Everlasting Meal' by Tamara Adler transformed how Kendra saw food and cooking, offering philosophical reflections and instructions on waste and abundance. 'The Night Circus' by Erin Morgenstern introduced Kendra to atmospheric dark fantasy, becoming a gateway to her love for Neil Gaiman and similar genres.
Books that Shifted Perspectives
Kendra discusses three books that significantly shifted her perspectives on justice, gathering, and community. 'Just Mercy' by Bryan Stevenson opened her eyes to the flaws and biases of the justice system, challenging her previous beliefs about punishment and consequences. 'The Art of Gathering' by Priya Parker validated Kendra's deep interest in creating intentional gatherings and provided her with language to articulate her thoughts and opinions on the importance of setting the tone for gatherings. 'J.B.R. Crow' by Wendell Berry, read during the pandemic, resonated with Kendra's experience of loneliness and helped her find solace and wisdom in the character's journey of seeking community and purpose.
When we reflect on things from the past that have meant something to us, it’s good for us. It’s fun! And since books are fairly universal as a thing people love, I’m sharing my 10 most memorable books. They’re not necessarily my favorites, although some are, but these are books that I remember where I read them, how they made me feel, what they were about, and I still think of them often.