Inspiration Sandwich by SARK
I knew I wanted to contribute to this column “Books That Changed My Life”.  I also knew it would be a book by SARK, of course.  All of her books have touched my life.  I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to start the story or how I was going to say what I needed to say until I heard this quote by author Anne Lamott the other day.  “The written word sustained me –  that is why I didn’t commit suicide.”

I have to tell the story about finding Inspiration Sandwich and what it did for me. I was a junior in college.  Life wasn’t going so well for me, academically or socially.  As usual, I was trying to avoid everything; instead of going to class I went to the bookstore.  I automatically headed to the Self Help section and I just plopped myself down on the floor.  I sat there.  I stared at the books like they were supposed to help me without me actually doing anything.

I wanted to find “the” book that would solve all my problems.  I wasn’t finding it.  The book found me.  The colors caught my eye first.  It was speaking to me “Open me up and find the answers, I am here to help.”  I couldn’t believe it, I opened it and saw the most magical words and colors.  It brought me back to life.  Even though I knew my checking account was overdrawn, I knew that I had to bring this book home.  I had a feeling that this strange author named SARK could give me the strength that I so desperately desired.  I ended up writing a check for it; knowing that the check would probably bounce!

When I got home I ran to my room, snuggled into my bed and really opened my heart to this rainbow of a book.  SARK talked to me that day in my room.  She made me open myself up to thoughts of creativity and love for myself.  I knew that SARK was amazing.  (maybe I was amazing)  She was living the dream that I wanted to live.  The words that she wrote saved me.  Like I said, I was having a very rough time and SARK came at the exact moment that I needed her.  Inspiration Sandwich made my world brighter.

SARK gives me hope with her colorful paintings and inspirational words.  I bought her “HOW TO BE AN ARTIST” poster and still have it hung high in my apartment just to remind me to live life Juicy.  I thank her for showing up that day in the bookstore.  Her colorful spirit awakened my imagination at a dark gray time in my life.  I obviously still adore SARK and love her philosophy.  Some of my friends might think I overdo it a bit with SARK stuff, but I think whatever brings a smile to my face is ok for me to overdo.  - Stefanie Lindeen

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

When I look back on most of the books I read as a pre-teen, I feel a bit disgusted with myself. Like many other girls, I fell into the trap of formula series paperbacks about size-six blonde twins with petty problems and glamorous lives. The books were simple, predictable and inspired as much thinking and introspection as an hour of Must-See TV. But when I turned 14, I met some brainy, funny friends who turned me on to the world of science fiction. The introduction came through Ender’s Game.  

It’s a smart, satisfying novel about a boy genius that is taken from his home to train to save Earth from an encounter with an alien race. On a deeper level, it’s about Ender’s tortured relationship with his dominating older brother and the conflicting emotions that haunt him throughout his years in battle school. The book may be science fiction, but it contained more truths about being human than any of the books I had read prior to it. It not only changed the way I looked at reading and writing; it raised my expectations of myself and the way I choose to spend my time.  - Cynthia Morse