Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood was the inspiration for a new type of book, the non-fiction novel. 
Mikhail Bulgakov’s The Master and the Margarita inspired the Rolling Stones’ song Sympathy for the Devil.
Orson Welles radio broadcast of The War of the Worlds sent Americans into a panic 1938.
Margaret Drabble was inspired by personal memoirs of Crown Princess Lady Hyegyong for The Red Queen.

Each of these books exemplify how good literature transports the reader into another time, another place and in some instances another way of thinking or viewing our world.  We encourage you to begin your literary journey and discover the Penguin titles that appeared in 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die, ed. Peter Boxall, published by ABC Books - © 2006.