I have not read my favourite book in a couple of decades so I can’t say how it would effect me now. But as a young adult, “My Name is Asher Lev” by Chaim Potok was my favourite book and had a profound effect on my decision to go to art school and pursue my art. At the time I was struggling with art being frivolous and a luxury item for the wealthy when I idealistically felt everyone should be tackling world poverty and unequal global wealth distribution. The fictional book follows a young art prodigy who belongs to an orthodox Jewish community and his coming to terms with pursuing his art. In fact, I wanted to name any future son Chaim after reading it.