From the time I could find my way to the library, I was a constant visitor. For me, the Saint John Regional Library was a magical place - a hushed, warm haven where, through the pages of a book I could travel to far off exotic places in my imagination. I could experience vicariously all the joy, romance, terror, tragedy and triumph of the characters in the story.

Among my many favorite authors were Mark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe, Charlotte Bronte, Shirley jackson and Phyllis Whitney. Far too many to list. I am forever grateful to them all. It was through reading that, in me, the seed to be a writer was planted. I wanted to join the ranks of those authors who had given me so much pleasure, and in turn entertain my own dear readers.

Books have been my friends and my salvation. Below are but a few of the many I have loved and learned from. Perhaps they are among (or will be) your own favorites.

l. JANE EYRE by Charlotte Bronte
2. REBECCA by Daphne Du Maurier
3. THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE by Shirley Jackson
4. WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE by Shirley Jackson.
5. CARRIE by Stephen King
6. THE SHINING by Stephen King
7. ANGELA'S ASHES by Frank McCourt (memoire that reads like a novel)
8. A KISS BEFORE DYING by Ira Levin
9. THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER by Edgar Allan Poe
10. TOM SAWYER by Mark Twain
11. HUCKLEBERRY FINN by Mark Twain
12. THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY by Patricia Highsmith
13. LISTEN TO THE WHISPERER by Phyllis Whitney (others)
14. A STRANGER IS WATCHING by Mary Higgins Clark
15. LIFE PENALTY by Joy Fielding
16. SEE JANE RUN by Joy Fielding

Books Especially For Writers

1. WRITER'S MARKET published by Writer's Digest Books
2. BECOMING A WRITER by Dorothea Brande
3. WRITING DOWN THE BONES by Natalie Goldberg
4. DARE TO BE A GREAT WRITER by Leonard Bishop
5. HOW TO WRITE BEST SELLING FICTION by Dean Koontz
6. WRITING IN FLOW by Susan K. Perry, Ph.D.
7. WRITING MYSTERIES - A Handbook by the Mystery Writers of America, edited by Sue Grafton
8. ON WRITING by Stephen King.
9. WRITING LIFE STORIES by Bill Roorbach
10. WORKING DAYS by John Steinbeck

I will be adding other books so check back often. I would be pleased to hear your comments on any of the books I have recommended. They are in no particular order, only as I picked them off the shelf. Hope you find at least some of them enjoyable and helpful.