Cecelia Ahern: Books that changed my life

I was only 21 when PS, I Love You became a best-seller. My life turned on its head and I was overwhelmed.

My agent urged me to read The Celestine Prophecy. Although a novel, it’s also a guide to understanding the universe and harnessing positive energy. 

I’d never read anything like this before and, at that juncture in my life, it made absolute sense to me: I’d written my book and it was up to me to choose which direction to take. It was a truly empowering read.

This is one of my all-time favourite books; it’s such a beautifully written love story, dark but humorous, and the concept and manner in which Niffenegger handled the time travel blew me away.

Here was a first-time author unafraid to look at the world from a different perspective.

My own books were often described as sweet or charming, but reading this gave me the confidence to let my writing reflect more of my quirky nature.

As an introvert myself, it was lovely to have someone recognise that not talking doesn’t necessarily mean you’re shy or that your mind isn’t engaged.

As an author, I live a strange dual life. I spend hours shut away in a room by myself, immersed in my characters. Then, when my book is published, I have to get out there and promote it.

Instead of being the observer, I become the observed. That’s tricky. Quiet has really helped me.

Feature image via: Styl FM

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