So I'm curious...

What was the one book that had the most impact on you ever?

And why/how did it impact you?

In my case, I think it was "9 Princes in Amber" by the late and great Roger Zelazny. The entire series was impactful, but that first volume was the first thing I ever read by him, so in many ways it was more significant (even if there are other books by him that I feel are superior).

I discovered Zelazny through Role Playing Games, amusingly enough, when my DM inserted elements from his books into a D&D campaign. He actually used stuff from "Madwand." I can't remember now (it was a long time ago) if he also used stuff from "Amber," or if he just recommended that I start my reading with "Amber" or if it was my choice, but either way that's where I started (though I've since read pretty much everything Zelazny has written, including “Madwand”).

So why was it so impactful? Well, the first person narrative was part of it. As was the suspense. The way he blended genres (something I've always been fond of) and how he masterfully integrated elements of mythology. But, most of all, it was his writing style--flowery, dreamy, colorful, intriguing.

I think that book (and Zelazny's work in general) had a huge influence also on my own writing voice. Though in retrospect, it is difficult now to remember whether I loved it because it was similar to my own, or if my own was influenced by his. Probably the latter. Or, more likely, I was already going in that direction and Zelazny just lit the way :D

This was very early in my writing journey (mid to late 80's) so the impact was significant. Though enough time has passed now that I believe I've managed to forge a unique voice for myself (there's a clear difference when I look at my writing from before and after 1995).

So, what about you? What's your book? ;)