I read The Hobbit for the first time when I was five or six, and it was then that I decided to write fantasy stories.  I can’t say that I am the greatest author on the planet.  In fact, among fantasy authors I rank pretty low.  Life has its distractions and it is difficult to dedicate oneself to a lifestyle that doesn’t support a family.

This interest in fantasy, however, has given me a number of skills that I doubt I would have otherwise acquired.  It lead me to study the art of writing, which meant that I learned to love to read.

It lead me to a love of role-playing, which lead to a love of computers and technology.  This lead to a deeper understanding of mathematics, science, and a general love of learning.

Because I picked up The Hobbit at such a young age and because I couldn’t put it down again, I have very much been inspired to become the person that I am today.

So I ask, what book inspired you?