<div><p>The Bookmarked series focuses on a famous work of literature that left a powerful impression on an author (hence the name, Bookmarked—a book that left its mark). Each entry in the series will be a no-holds barred personal narrative detailing how a particular novel influenced an author on their journey to becoming a writer, as well as the myriad directions in which that journey has taken them.</p><p>In this entry, author Curtis Smith examines the influence of one of the most seminal novels of contemporary literature, Kurt Vonnegut's<i>Slaughterhouse-Five</i>, on his life and writing.</p><p><b>Curtis Smith</b>'s work has been named to the Best American Short Stories Distinguished Stories List, The Best American Mystery Stories Distinguished Stories List, and the Notable Writing list of The Best American Spiritual Writing. He is the author of the novels <i>An Unadorned Life</i>, <i>Sound and Noise</i>, and <i>Truth or Something Like It</i>.</p></div>