T5W: Books That Made Me Think

TL;DR

Adriana discusses six books that have had a significant impact on her thinking and writing.

Transcript

Bibliophiles of the internet: My name is Adriana and I'm here to do a Top 5 Wednesday video, and today't topic is "Books That Made Me Think." So really, this topic is very broad. It can mean a great number of things. It can be interpreted in so many different ways by so many different people. But, here are some books that have changed my thinking i... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ "Station Eleven" highlights the interconnectedness of all individuals and the significance of everyday miracles.
• 👩 The "Cool Girl" section in "Gone Girl" sheds light on societal expectations for women and the consequences of not conforming.
• ❓ "Attack on Titan" broadened Adriana's understanding of the depth and complexity of manga and anime.
• ✍️ "The Phantom Tollbooth" emphasizes the importance of economy of words in writing.
• 📔 The tenth "Princess Diaries" book inspired Adriana to pursue a career as an author.
• ✊ "The Book Thief" made Adriana reconsider her understanding of narrative techniques and the power of words.
• 🤔 These books have had a profound impact on Adriana's thinking and writing.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does "Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel make you think about the interconnectedness of people?

"Station Eleven" explores the idea that every person, regardless of whether their stories overlap, is interconnected and plays a role in making the world function.

Q: Why does the part about the "Cool Girl" in "Gone Girl" resonate with Adriana?

The "Cool Girl" section in "Gone Girl" discusses societal expectations for women and how not conforming to those expectations can result in negative labels and judgments. Adriana finds this passage to be powerful and relevant.

Q: How did "Attack on Titan" change Adriana's perception of manga and anime?

"Attack on Titan" challenged Adriana's previous understanding of manga and anime, showing her the depth and complexity that the medium can offer beyond the childhood favorites she grew up with.

Q: How does "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster relate to writing?

"The Phantom Tollbooth" contains a passage about the economy of words, emphasizing that using too few words can be just as detrimental as using too many. This message has stayed with Adriana as a writer.

Q: How did the tenth book in the "Princess Diaries" series influence Adriana's career path?

A minor line in the book inspired Adriana to become an author, making the series and author Meg Cabot significant in her journey.

Q: How did "The Book Thief" reshape Adriana's understanding of writing?

"The Book Thief" challenged Adriana's understanding of narrative devices, as well as the potential of words to create new meaning. It made her rethink framing, narration, and the use of abstractions in writing.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• "Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel highlights the interconnectedness of people and the miracles of modern life.

• "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn explores societal expectations for women and the concept of the "Cool Girl."

• "Attack on Titan" by Hajime Isayama challenges Adriana's preconceived notions about manga and anime.

• "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster emphasizes the importance of economy of words in writing.

• The tenth book in the "Princess Diaries" series by Meg Cabot inspired Adriana to become an author.

• "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak made Adriana rethink narrative techniques and the manipulation of words.