Today is a double whammy for the literature world because it’s both National Authors Day and Family Literacy Day. As a reader and reviewer, I naturally love authors but what #30Authors has reminded me the past two years is that I am also incredibly grateful to them. Authors are so much more than people who write books for us to enjoy, they are also friends, supporters, and teachers. They help promote literacy with everything they do and ignite that spark of excitement in there readers who fall in love with their books. They teach us empathy and help us understand other cultures, as well as bring new worlds into our lives. They do so much to enrich our lives and sometimes it’s easy to forget how much they change our lives. To celebrate them, here are a few (because there are many) authors whose books have changed my life.

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls because it’s the reason I have dogs.
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving because Owen crawls up into your heart and will never leave.
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan because it’s the first book I read that delved into another culture.
Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office by Dr. Lois Frankel because it changed my view on my career.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates because it opened my eyes.
10% Happier by Dan Harris because it got me into meditation.
The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon because it got me into reviewing books.
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee because it was the first book I read where I understood that race was a political issue.