1. To Kill A Mocking Bird- Harper Lee
We all remember those books that we hated to read just because we were required to read, and our teenage brains protested just because we felt like we had too. You can deny all you want to, but there were some books that we actually ended up liking. To Kill A Mockingbird was probably one of those books. It talked about issues in society during a time that there was so much unrest among different communities. It brought so many issues to the surface that people didn't want to talk about, much less read about. It also taught to love, and you can't really beat that.
2. Hamlet- William Shakespeare
I know, I know. When you hear the name William Shakespeare all you can think of is Romeo and Juliet, the epic love story of the century. Well, Hamlet has it all. Romance, murder, conspiracy, sword fighting, everything that could appeal to any kind of audience. While it is written in old English it can be hard to follow sometimes, that's why I recommend SparkNotes while you read it. I had to read it in my AP Lit class my senior year of high school and that is the only William Shakespeare play that I made it through during my four years of high school. (Sorry teachers!) I even knew that we were going to watch the movie at the end of the section, and I still read it.
3. The Harry Potter Series
I mean everyone dreams about getting a letter from Hogwarts in the mail on your 11th birthday just like Harry did. J.K Rowling did such a good job writing the books, starting the first one with the kids at such a young age. I remember my sister reading the first one and as she got older the books just kept getting released. The kids that were 11 when the first book came out grew up with this series and grew up with the characters. They felt what the characters felt and understood the situations. It's a fantastic series.
4. Jane Eyre- Charlotte Bronte
Love, love, love. One of my all-time favorite romance novels. Yeah I know its super cheesy, but its such a good book, and the movie is pretty great too. Taking place in the very repressive Victorian era, this heroine faces many problems but still goes on despite her troublesome childhood. She goes on to be a tutor and falls in love with the master of the house. Don't worry I didn't ruin it, a lot more happens that that. She refuses to be broken. She shows strength and resilience. You definitely need to read it.
5. The Kissing Hand- Audrey Penn
This last one is a children's book. I think that every mom should read this to their kids. My mom read it to us when me and my sister were kids. I still have this book I think, it reminds me that no matter what my mom will be with me wherever I go. A lesson that I think that every little kid should learn. No matter how scared you are, no matter how alone you feel, no matter what situation, your mom will be with you. All you have to do is think about her. Think about what she looks like, remember the sound of her voice, remember that she loved you with every fiber of her being and she will always be there, right beside you every moment every day. A lesson that will last you a lifetime.
Books can effect so many people on so many different levels. If someone suggests you read a book, listen to them! Go read that book and maybe you'll understand that person just a little bit better. Sometimes we can take books for granted, its always good to just sit down and read one once in a while.
