Today’s Book Blogger Hop question is: If you could meet one author, dead or alive, who would it be?
I’ve written quite a bit on this subject already (about alive authors and dead ones) and I think all regular readers already know that if I could only meet ONE author, it would be L. M. Montgomery, in a heartbeat.
However–let’s assume I could meet others. And that set me thinking about authors I haven’t already mentioned. It occurred to me that I’ve said a lot of about fiction writers, but not so much nonfiction…and in recent years, I’ve been reading more nonfiction and finding a lot of wisdom in the process. Which leads me to a group of authors I’d like to meet because I feel like they already live in my head, ready for words of advice when needed.
Brene Brown (Daring Greatly) reminds me to be brave and embrace vulnerability because it’s the seat of all relationships. But also, Susan Cain (Introvert Power) gives me permission to embrace being an introvert and get in a different line at the grocery store to avoid awkward small talk with a casual acquaintance. Gretchen Rubin (The Happiness Project) guides me through setting monthly goals, managing what I measure, and validating a neat house because outer order contributes to inner calm. And when the outer order isn’t enough, Thich Nhat Hanh (Peace Is Every Step) reminds me to return to my breath. And while the little monk provides perspective on an eternal level, Sheryl Sandberg (Lean In) still pushes me to be aggressive in my career goals, and when life leads me to big decisions, Dan Gilbert (Stumbling on Happiness) offers assurance that I’ll feel happier about whatever I choose once I commit.
I’d like to meet any of these authors so that I could tell them how helpful their writing has been to me–and while I think it would be a little creepy to tell them that their voice lives in my head, I would like to say that I quote them to myself often. I actually did meet Gretchen Rubin at a book-signing–and I managed to have enough presence of mind in the moment to tell her exactly that!
I, too, would like to meet Susan Cain. Her book impacted my life and gave me validation that being an introvert is perfectly fine. I like Gretchen Rubin’s books, too, though I need to pick & choose among her ideas. Taken all together I find them a little exhausting. :). I met her at a book signing one time and found her to be very approachable. I would think the other authors you name probably would be, as well.