Growing up, I developed a lifelong obsession that I’d never grow tired of: reading. If I wasn’t curled up under a blanket reading instead of doing my homework, I was rambling on about whatever mystical adventures were in my head at the time. At first, all I wanted to read about was fantasy – dragons, heroic princesses who did their own saving… what’s not to love? But over time, my interests grew to include everything from young adult romance to the older classics. At eighteen years old, I have come to realize that the lessons on these pages have shaped me and are now integral parts of my identity. I decided to pick five random novels of different genres that I have taken lessons from and applied to my everyday life. Here they are! *No spoilers! Promise!*
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Genre: Memoir
“If you don’t want to sink, you better figure out how to swim.” -The Glass Castle
I could not put this book down, oh my gosh was it addicting. In Walls’ memoir, she recounts the struggles she faced through one of the toughest upbringings I’ve ever known of. Battling everything from poverty, dysfunctional parents, an alcoholic father, running from the law, and constantly moving homes, this book taught me the true meaning of “hardship” and reinforced how lucky I am to have the life that I do. Though the book deals with some heavy subjects, it was one of the most uplifting and moving pieces of literature that I’ve ever gotten my hands on. A must-read for anyone who loves a good story to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
Genre: YA Romance
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“I was happy before I met him. But I’m alive now, and those are not the same thing.”- Everything, Everything
I dream of one day having a romance as strong and sweet as Olly and Madeline’s. Due to suffering from a disease commonly known as SCID, 17-year-old Madeline is unable to leave her house. When the new neighbor, Olly (insert swoon here) moves in, Maddy has to decide how to weigh her own health against a chance at love. If you too are completely addicted to romance novels, this one must be on your to-read list. Nicola Yoon seriously has a gift for creating the most charming and relatable characters. Side note – this book was made into a movie (totally recommend it, by the way).
Brand New Emily by Ginger Rue
Genre: YA Fiction/ Coming of Age
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“I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Really cool people and nerds have one thing in common: they’re different from everyone else. They’re weird. The thing is, though, nerds are ashamed of being weird, while cool people celebrate it.” – Brand New Emily
A fun and meaningful teen read about popularity, image, and self-esteem. This is one of those books that I believe was destined to land in my hands when it did. One of my best friends to this day gifted me this book in middle school, and I still carry one of its central lessons with me: if someone doesn’t like you, the best thing you can do is compliment them and walk away. In doing so, you provide them with the positivity that they clearly lack, and you get to prove them wrong.
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Genre: Philosophical Fiction/ English Classic
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“Some things are more precious because they don’t last long.” – The Picture of Dorian Gray
I was assigned to read this book in high school, but let me tell you, I loved it. Out of the few classics I’ve read, this is my favorite for many reasons. Oscar Wilde wrote this with the most beautiful language while crafting such an interesting story about physical beauty, youthfulness, and morality. For the late 19th century, it was considered provocative and immoral because it contained explicit sexual content and homosexuality (which was a criminal offense at the time). In other words, it was groundbreaking and made history. I found it clever, creepy, and entertaining all at once. As far as classics go, this one should be given more credit.
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Genre: YA Fiction
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“She was elusive. She was today. She was tomorrow. She was the faintest scent of a cactus flower, the flitting shadow of an elf owl. We did not know what to make of her. In our minds we tried to pin her to a cork board like a butterfly, but the pin merely went through and away she flew.” -Stargirl
Need I say more? This book is pure, unfiltered poetry turned into a funny, meaningful, and beautiful piece of fiction. Stargirl taught me about the value of individuality over conformity, showing kindness to everyone (regardless of who appears to deserve it), and the value of genuine friendship. This is another book I read in middle school, and by the time I set this book down, I felt a new sense of self-confidence.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading! These are just a few of the novels that have added value to my life, and they all have a special place in my heart. I would highly recommend finding time to sit down with a book every once in a while. You never know what you might learn!