What books inspire writers? We asked novelist Renee Rosen, author of Every Crooked Pot, to tell us what she's been reading. She graciously sent us these picks:

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. "This book is such a rare gem, it was perhaps my favorite novel of last year. A departure from Gruen's previous novels, Riding Lessons and Flying Changes (which I also highly recommend), Water for Elephants is set against the backdrop of a traveling circus during the Depression. It's part love story, part historical and altogether engaging. It's a story that will make you laugh and cry. Gruen's skill and immense talent is evident on every page. Her prose is stunning and her eye for telling details is always spot on! It's easy to see why this book has captured the hearts of readers around the world. Truly, this is one of those books that you'll never forget."

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