Morningstar: Growing Up with Books

Morningstar: Growing Up with Books

<p><strong>A memoir about the magic and inspiration of books from a beloved and best-selling author.</strong></p><p>In her admired works of fiction, including the recent <em>The Book That Matters Most</em>, Ann Hood explores the transformative power of literature. Now, with warmth and honesty, Hood reveals the personal story behind these beloved novels.</p><p>Growing up in a mill town in Rhode Island, in a household that didn’t foster a love of literature, Hood discovered nonetheless the transformative power of books. She learned to channel her imagination, ambitions, and curiosity by devouring ever-growing stacks. In <em>Morningstar</em>, Hood recollects how <em>The Bell Jar</em>, <em>Marjorie Morningstar</em>, <em>The Harrad Experiment</em>, and <em>The Outsiders</em> influenced her teen psyche and introduced her to topics that could not be discussed at home: desire, fear, sexuality, and madness. Later, <em>Johnny Got His Gun</em> and <em>The Grapes of Wrath</em> dramatically influenced her political thinking, while the Vietnam War and the Kent State shootings became headline news and classics such as <em>Dr. Zhivago</em> and <em>Les Misérables</em> stoked her ambitions to travel the world. With characteristic insight and charm, Hood showcases the ways in which books gave her life and can transform―even save―our own lives.</p>