Litopia Writers’ Reading List 2024
Peter Cox, founder of Litopia
I asked our members a simple question.
Which books have had the most profound impact on your development as a writer?
Here’s what they told me. A glorious cornucopia of more than forty definitive titles that ought to be on your reading list.
And note: if you buy them all (why not?) it will still be cheaper than taking one average-priced commercial writing course.
We’ve all enjoyed putting this list together, and we hope you get as much out of it as we have.
Peter Cox
The Situation And The Story – The Art Of Personal Narrative by Vivian Gornick
Our Summary
Every work of literature has both a situation and a story, and modern memoir is all about the self that we become through life experience. She deftly illustrates this rather lofty theory with specific examples of how personal narrative is memorably crafted by different writers.
What I learned From It
Memoir is not about you or your life. It is about finding the truth and making sense of life experience to deliver a story that will resonate with readers. A hugely helpful read for anyone planning a memoir.
Mel L
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On Writing by Stephen King
Our Summary
Leave it to the literary rock star to compose a craft book that’s as entertaining as a good novel. “This is a short book because most books about writing are filled with bullshit,” King writes. What follows is a witty, practical, and sometimes poignant guide that is refreshingly devoid of the aforementioned BS. King relates his personal story of becoming a writer, then offers a “toolkit” of clear advice about everything from dialogue and descriptive passages to revisions and the head game. And there’s more: tips for beginning writers on submitting work for publication, a mark-up of one of King’s own manuscripts, and a reading list. You might not be awake at 3 a.m. turning these pages, but we promise On Writing will open your eyes to essential tricks of the trade.
What I learned From It
Just write a story readers will read.
James Charles
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The Memoir Project – A Thoroughly Non-Standardized Text For Writing & Life by Marion Roach-Smith
Our Summary
Rational and literary at the same time, this slim tome is an extremely helpful exploration of how to turn life into memoir — without boring the pants off the reader.
What I learned From It
A memoir is an illustration of a truth, a single facet of a life rather than a life story. Just because something happened doesn’t make it interesting. Narrow the focus, find your voice and write in scenes until you have a vomit draft. Then the real work begins.
Mel L
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