I have loved reading since before I can really remember. I'm sure there are books that have changed my life that I don't even remember having read. I swear reading has saved my life, ruined it, and saved it again.I have fallen in love with characters only to see them change before my eyes or die before I felt they were ready. Has anyone ever done that thing where you finish a book, and you have to wait a while before reading a new one, because nothing compares to the experience you just had? I just want to say a quick thank you to a few of the books that have left me speechless. These aren't reviews, nor are they suggestions (though I do suggest them), I simply believe these books warrant my written admiration, and I believe it is long overdue.

The Book Thief- Markus Zusak

Remember when I said books ruined my life at times? This one was the knife to my heart, and the CPR that brought me back to life. Falling in love with the character, Rudy, took maybe three lines. He's the kind of character that makes you laugh and cry at the exact same time. I found myself constantly yelling at him for being the dumbest kid in the entire world, while thinking to myself how brilliant he is. Death is a character in this book. Yes, Death. He has vast emotions and an insight on life that made me consistently rethink my own. He describes the world as colors and describes those colors as having their own emotional value. After reading this book, every color became more important to me. They meant something new, and were something much bigger than the rainbow. If I ever quote a book, this one is it. I want to thank this book for getting me through the toughest time in my life. The Book Thief showed me the beauty in grief, the opportunity in misfortune, and the life-saving qualities of love. Thank you.

Impulse- Ellen Hopkins

This book made me stop reading for quite some time. Nothing compared to it, and nothing made me feel the sense of understanding this book gave me. The book follows three young people and their experiences in a mental hospital. At times, it was scary how much I related to the characters in this book. I eventually figured out that that was the very thing that made this book beautiful. It wasn't the experience I related to, it was the emotions. The characters displayed every emotion in such an honest way. Happiness was never complete happiness. Sometimes it was laced with confusion, doubt, and sadness. Sadness was never complete sadness. There was love,joy, and excitement in the background. It's rare to see a book that displays emotion as such a diverse quality of human life. This gave me the ability to feel like someone understood, like I wasn't alone. Everyone needs to feel heard, and that is exactly what this book made me feel. Thank You.

"My happiest memories have no place in the past; they are those I have yet to create.” - Ellen Hopkins

“I have to say that although it broke my heart, I was, and still am, glad I was there.” - Markus Zusak