Reading has always been a huge part of my life. Since I was little, I've always loved to get lost in characters and plots and one of my favorite things to do, even to this day, was spend hours in bookstores. I have drawers of books in my room, and some that I won't go anywhere without in case I find myself in need of a good read. Some may call me nerdy for my unending love of books, but I say they're missing out. Here are some of my favorites.
1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
A book I read in ninth-grade English changed the way I looked at narrators. Following a young girl in in World War II Germany, The Book Thief is a story of love, loss, and the value of a novel in a violent atmosphere where reading isn't allowed and refugees make great friends.
2. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Probably my favorite love story (and Jane Austen novel) of all time, Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy have my enthralled every single time I cross their paths. Austen's signature style of writing makes the reader feel as if they are really living in the 1800's with the beloved Jane, Mr. Bennett, and all the other characters that are met throughout the novel.
3. The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
These books were literally my life my freshman year of high school. I read them just as the first movie came out, and was instantly hooked and obsessed with Katniss, Peeta, Gale and Panem. I read and reread and reread some more, and to this day I am still not tired of this trilogy full of action, dynamic characters, and the most uncomplicated-complicated love story of all time (if you get what I mean).
4. Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Possibly one of the most profound books I read in grade school, the story follows a young girl, Salamanca Tree Hiddle, in a cross-country road trip with her grandparents. The novel says a lot about loss, love, and connections bigger than one can imagine.
5. Paper Towns by John Green
Although it's number five on this list, John Green's Paper Towns takes the cake as my favorite book ever. His writing and perspective are some of the things I admire most about the author, as well as his wit and ability to seamlessly tie plots and circumstances together. This book taught me some of the most significant lessons I have ever learned. (Read to find out what they are.)
6. The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth
I read these books my junior year of high school, a little late to game. The first movie was just about to come out, but I hadn't known that when I picked the first of the three up off of the shelf in the bookstore. I found myself absorbed within the first few pages, and the character arcs are some of my favorite in literally history.
7. The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
If you've ever seen the movie, you know how deep this story can get. As sad and lonely as it can be, it's also full of laughs, happy moments, and a whole lot of heart. Although introverted with his own problems, when the beloved Charlie stands in the tunnel like he's on top of the world you feel like everything is going to be okay.
8. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
What one considers a very teen-girl love story, I consider a great work of art. Not only is author Huntley Fitzpatrick's writing some of the most unique I've ever seen, but her use of character development is one of the things that makes Samantha and Jase's story so incredible. Admittedly, I've read this book four times. I have no regrets about it.
9. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
Theodore Finch and Violet Markey taught me a lot about mental health, being a teenager, and first loves. What might sound like an odd combination makes for a remarkable, yet sad, read. This book introduced me to author Jennifer Niven, and I anxiously await the release of her new novel.
10. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
What I consider to be a classic, The Outsiders continues to be one of my favorite stories to date. A book I read in seventh grade and a movie I saw not too long after, the story of Ponyboy, Johnny, and the rest of the Greasers and Socs is both tragic and full of a lot of emotion. I highly recommend to anyone who's in that weird part of their teenage years where they still feel like a kid but want to be independent.
So, there you have it. These are only ten of the books I have read in my life, but are the ones that have probably affected me most. I'm constantly falling in love with new ones and currently have about six or seven on my Christmas wish list for this year. If reading isn't your thing, that's alright. But if it is, take my advice and read some (or all) of the ones I listed above. You won't regret it.
