Most of us stumble into a work of art. We may read a book because we’ve read some of the author’s other work and are interested in delving into his or her career. Perhaps we see a film because a friend recommended it. Then there are those moments when we take a chance on a band we are not familiar with by buying one of their albums, hoping spontaneity pays off. Few of us, however, can anticipate the impact the work will have on our lives, the manner in which it will weave itself into our beings. And yet, we all know that interacting with art is a sacred communion, one in which the work becomes a part of us. That, in the end, is why we seek art: because it shapes us, lends meaning to our existence, and -- sometimes -- even pulls us through difficult times.

While culture always has the capacity to engage and entertain us, it's the rare experience of being nourished and changed by media that we explore in Life Savers. Here are the stories of how a band, book, show, movie, etc. really did save the lives of the writers -- if not literally keeping them alive, then at least offering a transformative experience that enriched those lives. In Life Savers, the writers explore their personal saviors in essay form by analyzing how this piece of culture or person kept them going, why they had the impact they did, and how they feel about them today.