A trio of influential literature.

Easily the book that has influenced me the most is The Bible. I am a follower of Jesus, so without the Bible I would be quite lost. But even for those who don't believe in a God, the Bible is still an influential book, simply because of how much it has shaped our culture. Currently I'm reading through the whole Bible in 90 days, so I'm getting quite a lot of exposure to this book right now.

Another book that shaped my life is To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. which I have read upwards of seven times. This book really spoke to me because it is a story of how life is. The story as told by Scout is full of imagery and power, because the author has gone through these experiences. Every new disclosure is like a punch to the gut, because by the time you are halfway through the book you care as much about these characters as you do about yourself.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas is another book which I find myself comparing my life to at times. The depth and breadth of the characters and situation in that novel means that no matter what situation you are in, there is a comparable one in the book. The plot is unbelievably complex, which can be hard to follow, but it is definitely a book worth seeing through to the end.