Release Week Rally: Top Shelf Tuesday, ‘family’-style!

Happy book birthday to family!
I can’t believe it’s a real, live novel, out there in the world! Wave hi and make nice if you see it, okay?

In truth, release days can be a touch anticlimactic; my next book event isn’t until Friday, and in the meantime, I’m catching up on blog interviews and other fun features for all y’all to enjoy. Also: celebrating The Mister’s birthday, which he shares with my latest work. Funny thing, that – but all the more excuse to eat cake!

So. Yesterday, I blogged about my inspiration for Melinda’s character. Today, in true Top Shelf Tuesday style, I thought I’d share some of the books I read while working on family. These are only the tip of the iceberg. It goes without saying that I highly recommend each one.

1. Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders, Vincent Bugliosi

2. Manson in His Own Words: The Shocking Confessions of ‘The Most Dangerous Man Alive, Charles Manson and Nuel Emmons

3. Squeaky: The Life and Times of Lynette Alice Fromme, Jess Bravin

4. Tricks, Ellen Hopkins

5. The Chosen One: A Novel, Carol Lynch Williams

6. Hate List, Jennifer Brown

7. The Shining, Stephen King

8. Gentlemen, Michael Northrop

9. We Need to Talk About Kevin: A Novel, Lionel Shriver

10. The White Darkness, Geraldine McCaughrean

11. How I Live Now, Meg Rosoff

12. Jellicoe Road, Melina Marchetta

13. The Sky Is Everywhere, Jandy Nelson

14. Before I Fall, Lauren Oliver

15. How To Say Goodbye In Robot, Natalie Standiford

Have you read any of the selections from my top shelf? What books inspire you when you’re deep in the trenches of a daunting new project?