I have always been a reader. When I was a kid I preferred Harry Potter and other fantasy books, but as I got older, I expanded my reading tastes. I have read classics in different genres, and even some books in different languages. While I never regret finishing any book, I must say that these particular ten books have really captured me and continue to hold me. NOTE: some basic plot points are included, but no spoilers.

1. All Quiet On The Western Front by Eric Maria Remarque

This is a thinly-veiled autobiography of German soldier Eric Maria Remarque (protagonist Paul Baumer) during World War I. In war, who is the real enemy? This book will definitely change your perspective on war. Even though the wars fought today are different than the total war of World War I, the idea of questioning the notion of "us vs. them" is still very relevant. If anything, it is the most descriptive, gritty, no-nonsense history lesson you will ever get about war from a book.

2. L'hote (The Host) by Albert Camus

But not L'Etranger (The Stranger)?! While most of the absurdist literature I have read has had an impact on me, I think it was L'hote, in the original French text, that made me think the most. Basic plot: Daru, a school teacher, must choose between hiding or handing over an Arabic prisoner during the Algerian war. This was the book that really explained situationalism to me and demonstrated the power of choice. It has colored my thinking ever since.

3. Le Gone du Chaaba by Azouz Begag

Another francophone novel. Le Gone du Chaaba is the memoire of Azouz Begag, an Algerian boy growing up in France in the 1960s in a "bidonville," or "Hooverville" for my American audience. The residents of the Chaaba live without electricity and only one source of clean water. And yet, Azouz is not bitter or even really sensitive to his poverty. Instead, he strives hard to study and becomes first in his class, beating out his other more priviledged French classmates. I have always grown up white, privileged, and speaking the language of the majority. I have never had to live like Azouz, and this book was a serious reality check for me. Even though it is set in the 1960s, I think about the living conditions and struggles of other people trying to make it in another country today. In addition to that, Azouz's studies and success really demonstrate that life is made up of your choices.

4. Class by Paul Fussell

Class made me realize how ridiculous we can be in the quest to be "sophisticated." This was not one of the books that profoundly changed my thoughts, but opened my eyes a bit to the little things we do every day. I had a hard time trying not to classify people after finishing the book; it was like someone pointing out an extra picture in a painting, and now you can't unsee it. This was definitely a fun read.

5. Le Petit Prince by Antoine Saint-Exupery

This is a children's book that is written for the child in all of us. Le Petit Prince shows how bizarre the world truly is sometimes, from the drunk who drinks to forget the shame of drinking, to the vain man who is proud that he's the best at everything despite the fact that he is the sole inhabitant of his planet. I am inspired to see the magic in everyday life, such as boas eating elephants, and not just hats. If you can read the original French text, I highly recommend it.

6. 1984 by George Orwell

I think about 1984 a lot now. I think about how the Find My Iphone app makes it possible for others to track my location. I think about how cookies work, and how eerily personalized advertisements can be. It becomes hard to not think about it. Most who have read 1984 will admit how much it scared them, and how much it continues to scare them to this day.

7. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

In a similar vein, I think about how easily we get offended by differing viewpoints and how we think we should change words and ban literature for this, that, and the other reason. Sometimes, perhaps we should, but I think we walk a fine line sometimes. If there was a book that clearly demonstrates the importance of reading, this is it.

8. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

This book was a complete drag the first time I read it. But I gave it a second chance, and love is lovelier the second time around. The message of the book is that money and status cannot buy happiness or make you a better person. We all know this, but the message is stronger when you see Pip turn away from those who truly love him in the attempt to win over the vain Estella. Money changes people. As a young adult, you start to think about careers both in terms of passion and money. After reading this book (for the second time), I vow to not allow the pursuit of money and status to drive my decisions.

9. The Green Mile by Stephen King

Stephen King is a noteworthy author, but his works aren't really considered "literary classics." However, The Green Mile moved me deeply. It's a story about compassion and empathy. It will make you think twice about forgiveness for the evildoers of the world. I even ended up sympathetic to Percy, one of the most hated characters in the entire story, by the end of the book. I think if I learned anything, it's that even the worst deserve a little compassion. Warning: this book is an absolute emotional hurricane, but so worth it.

10. Emma by Jane Austen

Emma Woodhouse is vain, spoiled, rich, snarky, and yet you kind of like her anyway. Emma eventually realizes that her mean spirit is the cause of her own unhappiness. It's never too late for a person to change. While some people might not like reading about the "troubles" of a rich girl, I think that the overall moral of the story can be applicable to everyone.