We read many books over the course of our lives and the ones that impact us the most possess a deeper meaning that leaves a lasting impression. These stories are the ones that we carry in our hearts for years because even if we did not realize it at the time, the stories shape us into who we are today. Here are six books that have influenced my journey as a writer and shaped my outlook on life.

1. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone" by J.K. Rowling

Originally, I had no interest in reading "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone." However, my mother convinced me to give the series a chance when I was 12 years old. I am beyond grateful that she did because if I had not read Harry Potter, I would not have developed such a strong passion for writing. Rowling writes in a way that is engaging and made me realize that the smallest idea can grow into something remarkable if it is given time, thought and a life of its own.

2. "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank

I read Anne Frank’s diary in high school because I knew that the memoir was a crucial piece of literature. Her account of her life during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands sparked my interest in learning more about the Holocaust and other genocides around the world. Since reading the memoir, I have taken two classes regarding the Holocaust and I have learned more than I could have imagined about one of the darkest points of history.

3. "Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger

I openly admit that I did not like "Catcher in the Rye" when I was required to read it during my freshman year of high school. I found Salinger’s protagonist to be whiny and toxic in every aspect of his life. Regardless of these opinions, four years after having read the novel, I now realize how relatable Holden Caulfield is to many of us. Given that I read the novel at a time in my life where I was experiencing the transition into my teenage years, I did not want to believe that I was anything like Holden. Now, I realize that there is a bit of Holden in all of us, and that is simply the result of growing up and realizing that the world is not an ideal place. Honestly, I think that the book would have been more effective to read at this point in my life, as a sophomore in college, but reading it when I did provided me with the hindsight that I otherwise would have lacked.

4. "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

I have been hard-pressed to find someone who was not impacted by the classic novel, "To Kill A Mockingbird." Like "Catcher In the Rye," I was required to read Lee’s novel in school. However, also like the former, I believe that I should not have read it when I was as young as I was. As a 12-year-old, I had a limited appreciation for the central theme of racism in the South and how that racism impacted the lives of all the characters, whether the prejudices were directed at them or others. The events of the story were jarring, but they painted an accurate picture of life during that time period. If you have, for some reason, not read the novel, go immediately to your local bookstore or library because you are missing out on the experience of reading a crucial piece of American literature.

5. "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak

The impact that "The Book Thief" has had on my life is less obvious than the other works that I mentioned above. Unlike the other books that changed my worldview, the style that was written in "The Book Thief" impacted me as a writer. I love how the narration is ambiguous and how the voice itself is supposed to be Death. The way that the story is written is unique and is not a style of writing that I have encountered in the past, which made Zusak’s novel stand apart from others that I have read. I am more likely to take risks as a writer after reading Zusak’s book.

6. "The Five People You Meet In Heaven" by Mitch Albom

I was given "The Five People You Meet In Heaven" by my mother’s former English teacher. Although the story was dark in nature, Albom shed light on how a person’s life can influence even those whom he or she does not know. I thought that his theme was especially profound and although I believe that there is an afterlife, I am still fearful of dying, and I found a sense of comfort in the story.

Books are what we make of them. Everyone is influenced differently by certain stories and these differences are no less valid than anyone else’s. What books were influential in your life?