* "Around the World in Eighty Days" by Jules Verne: This classic adventure novel was extremely popular during Bly's time and inspired many real-life attempts to circumnavigate the globe. While Bly herself didn't explicitly state Verne's novel as an inspiration, it's likely she was aware of it and the public fascination with the concept of fast travel.
* The writings of Elizabeth Cochrane Seaman: This influential female journalist, known as "Nellie Bly" later in her career, wrote extensively about social issues and injustices faced by women. Her writing style and fearless investigative approach could have influenced Bly's decision to pursue journalism.
* The rise of "New Journalism": The late 19th century saw a shift towards more sensationalized and investigative reporting. Bly likely saw this trend as a way to make a name for herself and break into the male-dominated world of journalism.
While we cannot definitively say which specific book influenced Bly's career path, it's clear that she was inspired by the adventure of travel, the passion for social justice, and the changing landscape of journalism.