This is a list of fiction that played key roles in shaping my personal thoughts and philosophies, or jarred me in some long-lasting and meaningful way. Even now, well into adulthood, at least one of these books enters my mind each day, and influences the way I view life and events. They are permanent goggles that I cannot now remove even if I wanted. Most of the choices are fairly obvious and probably universal, but that speaks to the quality of the novels more than to the banality of the list maker (I hope.)








