Oh, I really appreciate this post! I've seen these lists, and I keep wondering why are the books formative for these people, because no one has been terribly explicit. And that's what's interesting, is knowing why.

I had a similar experience with McCaffrey, except that she was the first author I went to after reading the books that got me interested in fantasy. But, the dragonrider books of hers that I read clinched my love for the genre.

And, Robert Jordan! Someone recommended his books to me years ago, and I've been trying to remember his name. Thanky!