Ever since I was a little girl, I was encouraged to read by my family. Throughout my life, I have read my share of books, and over time I’ve learned what books I love. I want to share with you the books that have altered my perspective on life, in hopes that they alter your life as well.
genres I love
Let’s start with my favorite genres. I’m not too picky when it comes to genres, and I love to explore new genres, but over time my favorite genres have included mystery/eerie books, books about complicated lives, tragic love stories, and historical tales. These are my favorite books to read, but you don’t have to feel the same way! These are just the books I gravitate towards.
one day
Written by David Nicholls, One Day is a story about two friends traveling through life together and struggling through the miscommunication of their feelings for each other. Each chapter is a look into the characters’ lives on the same day, July 15th. When reading, you travel through two decades of these two characters’ lives, watching them make the best and worst decisions. This book is very special to me for many reasons. I first watched the Netflix adaptation of One Day, and it ruined me in the best way. I then read the book at a very pivotal time in my life. This book has altered how I view life in general and how important it is to say how you feel. I fell in love with both characters and found myself in each of the characters. If I could only read one book for the rest of my life, it would be this book, and I feel like everyone should read it, if only to understand the importance of life and love.
The invisible life of addie larue
Written by V.E. Schwab, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is a magical book that tells the story of Adeline LaRue. In 1714, Adeline makes a decision that will alter the rest of her very long life. Three hundred years later, Adeline LaRue walks into a bookstore, and everything changes when someone remembers her name. This book takes you through the unforgettable life of a forgettable girl and how Addie travels through time and faces both her grief and joy. I own a well-worn copy of this book with many annotations covering the page. I read this book a few years ago, and ever since then, I have thought of Addie LaRue and how she chose to live her life in the face of so many sorrows. For me, her story taught me that even if you feel invisible, someone will always recognize you. Addie taught me about how sacrifice and love go hand in hand. This book includes adventure, love, and sadness and is a perfect book for a winter day.
talking at night
Written by Claire Daverley, Talking at Night is a coming-of-age story where we follow two characters who can’t work on paper but can’t stay away from each other. We travel through the stages of their lives, starting with times when they are together. But then, a horrific event causes a rift in both of the characters’ lives, separating them. But no matter what has happened, the characters find each other again and travel through life intertwined, no matter what stage of life they are in. This book is slightly similar to One Day but also has significant differences that make the book stand out. Every year around Christmas, I pull this book out and read it over winter break. I feel like I can really relate to the story, and it reminds me of how human connections can’t falter even when the worst events happen. I guarantee that you will fall in love with this book, and it will wreck you before putting you back together again. This book taught me about how grief might never go away, but it will get better, and I think everyone needs to understand that.
salt to the sea
Written by Ruta Sepetys, Salt to the Sea is an unfiltered account of the journey of four different young refugees who are trying to survive World War II. Each chapter is an account from a different character as they see both the best and the worst of people. This book shows the true colors of war and the extensive effects they have on everyone. I have read almost every book by Ruta Sepetys, and no book has altered my perspective on life more than Salt to the Sea. This book does not filter anything, and there were multiple times while reading the book where I had to take a break. I have read Salt to the Sea about four times, and each time I feel empty when I finish the book. This book will teach you the extent of human nature, both the good and the evil. It will show you the effects of war. I will warn you that this book probably wrecked me the most out of all these books, and you could argue that there is no happy ending. But the lessons you will learn from this book will change your life, and you are guaranteed to start living your life differently after reading this book.
blue sisters
Written by Coco Mellors, Blue Sisters is a novel about three estranged sisters who have separated after a tragic event. They must rebuild their relationship in order to save the one thing that connects them to their long-lost childhood. Each chapter shows a different sister’s perspective, allowing you to have a personal relationship with each sister. I chose this book because I am the youngest of four siblings, so I know how difficult sibling relationships can be. This story taught me the unexpected sides of addiction, grief, and self-forgiveness. The three sisters’ journey to regain their golden childhood taught me about growing up and how life can change. I still think about this book often since reading it, and I would highly suggest it to anyone.
prologue
If you can’t tell, I have a special liking for books that make me feel something. These are only a few of the books that have altered my life, but these books stand out to me because they face hard topics that are often not talked about in other spaces. Books are one of the best ways to understand your feelings, and no matter what kind of books you enjoy, I encourage you to keep reading no matter what.