[JayGalt]

Would you accept 3?
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

Cheaper by the Dozen (1948) by Frank Bunker Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, detailing the home life of an efficiency expert with 12 children.

Up the Down Staircase by Bel Kaufman which chronicles the first year of an idealistic teacher in a the NY public school system. “Let it be a challenge to you” the principal’s favorite rejoinder to questions about resolving unsolvable situations has reverberated through my life.

[Simon Green]

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

That's my #2.

[GOP Poet]

All excellent choices!! I love "Cheaper by the Dozen". It inspired my Mom too to have a huge family (besides out family's Catholicism--no birth control)!!! lol.

Also great to learn years later of Gilbreth's influence on Scientific Management. So unexpected when I realized he was the man who wrote this mesmerizing book that I not only enjoyed when I was young. But it influenced the size of my family. Ha!!! Not sure if you are familiar with Gilbreth's non fiction contribution. But if you get a chance. Check him out.

I have not read "Up the Down Staircase". But your being so influenced by it the way you stated, makes me very interested. Thanks!

"Atlas Shrugged"--outstanding!