The SHANNON MUIR’S INFINITE HOUSE OF BOOKS column that normally runs on Thursdays is a place at Shannon Muir’s author website showcasing books from a variety of fiction genres, with an emphasis on interviews and guest posts from other authors. One thing Shannon firmly believes in for readers not only to learn about new books available, but about those who craft the tales behind them. As its name implies, SHANNON MUIR’S INFINITE HOUSE OF BOOKS weekly column features writers from all genres of fiction who want their potential audience to get to know them, and their works, better.
However, as we near toward the end of the year, Shannon is going to take these remaining Thursdays to talk about the books most influential to her, and why they have withstood the test of time. This is the last of the series, reflecting my top 5. There will be no more Thursday posts going forward.
Next up on my list of influential books would be Mary Stewart’s series about King Arthur, which my father introduced me to in junior high. I’d learned about the main Arthurian legends in school, and wanted to know more. Mary Stewart’s work would show me how an author could take long standing myths and legends and make them compelling in their own right.
There are four man books in this series: THE CRYSTAL CAVE, THE HOLLOW HILLS, THE LAST ENCHANTMENT, and THE WICKED DAY. The first three are known as the Merlin Trilogy, as they are all from Merlin’s point of view. THE WICKED DAY covers Mordred’s coming to Camelot and defeating Arthur, thereby told from a different point of view.