Because of a book, more people are flocking to The Frick—a gem of a museum on Manhattan's upper east side—than ever. Why? The Frick Collection houses “The Goldfinch,” a painting by Carel Fabritius in 1654, which happens to take center stage in a new novel by the same name. The Goldfinch, by Donna Tartt is all anyone can talk about these days (our office is no exception).
Recently, Daily News wrote about The Frick's spike in attendance, and it got me thinking: what other books are impetuses for change? How influential can a book be to a person's decision-making process? Maybe it's as profound as picking up your life and beginning it again elsewhere, or as trivial as vowing to cook more at home. So I asked around the office and it turns out that books compel us towards all kinds of change. Whether it's taking up a new hobby, reconnecting with your roots, or deciding to wear color-coordinated outfits more often, we can say it was "because of a book." Here's what our bloggers had to say about books that have inspired them.
Kristen: "Harriet the Spy really inspired me to embrace writing. I was about 10 years old when I read it, and Harriet made writing seem not only cool but also something really powerful. I had always kept a journal, but after I read this book I proudly bought myself a classic black and white composition notebook and filled it (and many others) with stories over the years."
Morgan: "The Age of Innocence made me visit Newport, Rhode Island, which is now one of my favorite places in the U.S."
Michael: "Dan Savage’s The Kid was a huge influence on Vinnie and my decision to become parents. While written in Dan Savage’s signature style, there is a heart and truth in the book that made us realize being parents was not out of our reach."
Lia: "One of the characters in the series “The Gymnasts” used to color-code her outfits and wear one color a day for good luck… I can’t remember which character, but it inspired me to start wearing one color a day. The trend only lasted for a few weeks, but still."
Michael B: "ReadingThe Front Runner by Partrica Nell Warren in college persuaded me to get involved with my school's LGBT alliance and always be involved in LGBT rights."
Emma: "After reading two of my favorite books in high school, The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri and Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, I was inspired to apply to and ultimately attend Barnard College, where both Lahiri and Hurston graduated from. To this day, I am always excited to read a book written by a Barnard alum and frequently attend on-campus writing panels and author events. 116th and Broadway is an inspiring place for bookworms!"
And me? I read Dee Brown's Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West and it made me think very differently about my Native American heritage. My grandfather is part Cherokee, and after reading this book, I had a new appreciation for our family history and culture. I also started asking him more questions, and in return, he brought me old photographs of family members, many of which he'd been keeping to himself for years.
What about you? Has a book compelled you to make a drastic (or even a minor) change?
image of The Frick Collection via t-mizo.
