Long-time readers know that I grew up in an extremely politically conservative family. However, my parents didn’t raise me to be a broken-glass Republican, but a true conservative who embraces social and fiscal conservative values. They were also readers, and both of my parents love Ayn Rand and JRR Tolkein. At the dinner table we were just as likely to discuss Hobbits as we were politics.

I remember reading The Fountainhead in ninth grade. By far, it’s one of the most influential books that I’ve ever read. It’s one of those books that I try to re-read every five years because I always get something new out of it. Until I reached college, I had always planned on a career in art, and the struggles of Howard Roark resonated with me.

Admittedly, I’ve never read Atlas Shrugged. Oh, I’ve tried. It’s been on my reading list for at least 10 years now. I know this hurts my conservative street cred, but Rand is incredibly difficult to get into. With the popularitiy of Rand on the rise, maybe I’ll be hip and try to get through it.