As an English major I am expected to read multitudes of novels, but I used to never want to do this at all. It was a battle to get me to read when I was younger, but these novels influenced me and gave me the extraordinary love I have for reading today. From one reformed book hater to another, these novels are the top five novels that got me to where I am today.
5. Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
I actually did not start reading this series chronologically, but started with the fourth installment and skipped around. I had picked up the series immediately after making a move halfway across the country, and the Harry Potter series helped me adjust to my new school and town by showing me the magic in the world around me, despite the daunting task of being the new girl. The series also helped me gain my first friends in my new town through the love we shared of the series, and for that, the series will always have a place in my heart.
4. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
While the novel’s title makes it seem extremely girly, don’t let that put you off! At the heart of the novel is the moral that with hard work the belief in yourself, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. The novel is a quick read, and holds such diverse characters, you won’t believe you’re reading fiction.
3. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
This short novel found its way to me late in high school. After reading the novel for a class assignment, I found that I couldn’t just put it back on my bookshelf to collect dust. The story of Mr. Gatsby shows the intricacies and flaws of America in the 1920s. Told by Nick Carraway, Any reader will find themselves enthralled by the eccentricities of Mr. Gatsby. The "Great Gatsby" taught me how sometimes success and the glamorous life is hollow, and this is a lesson I try to keep through the excitement of college.
2. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
The first of many in the series, "Percy Jackson and the Olympians", "The Lightning Thief" is a witty masterpiece by itself. Going through the awkward phase of middle school is hard alone, and the characters of this novel kept me company during that scary phase. The main character is witty and the plot is action-packed. The mash up of the hero and now and Greek mythology will keep you reeled in for the whole story, and the characters will stick with for the rest of your life.
1. Eragon by Christopher Paolini
"Eragon" was the first novel I decided to pick and read on my own. It was a peculiar read for a little 8-year-old girl, but I was shocked at the idea of a different world held between pages. This book was the most influential on me because it started me on the path of reading, which shaped me for who I am today, and I can never forget that. I can still remember the first time reading through, and wanting to be able to ride a dragon with Eragon and from that moment on I was gone. Certainly Eragon was the most influential in my life.
These novels are all very diverse in their content and I recommend you check them out. They are timeless and a great escape, so go ahead and start reading!
