- Dan Brown - Da Vinci Code - read this when I was 14-ish. This book made me ask myself if I really do believe in the things the Catholic Church says, made me question the church, made me realize that the world isn't as it seems (not in an ghost/magic/etc way but more like "wow what if we are just being fooled and stuff and things I firmly had faith in do not really exist?)
- Ann Brashares - The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - in all honesty I never thought of myself as a book lover until I was 17. This book started it all. If I didn't read this book I probably would still look for glossy magazines and gush over the glamorous lives of celebrities.
- Sarah Dessen - The Truth About Forever - started my slight penchant for books about death and loss and grieving, taught me that not everyone who's been to jail are evil, that tattoos are cool, that imperfections are beautiful, that I am not alone
- Jay Asher - Thirteen Reasons Why - first book that made me cry. reminded me of my hellish grade 3-4 years. taught me to be extra careful in what I say because who knows who might be affected -- "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will only cause permanent psychological damage"
- Tara Altebrando - The Pursuit of Happiness - sparked my tiny interest in US history hahah wow okay I just want this book in this list because I love it
- Melina Marchetta - Jellicoe Road - we all want to belong.
- Alice Kuipers - Life on the Refrigerator Door - I need to cherish my mother.
- Cassandra Clare - City of Bones - I avoided fantasy books as much as I could. I read this because I wanted to know what the fuss is about, and now I regret not reading the series sooner. Boys in tattoos and boys who wear black? YES YES YES PLEASE.
- John Green - Paper Towns - I am a Paper girl.
- Hannah Harrington - Saving June - Harper's thoughts about god and Christianity stuff? Same as mine.
oct 14 2012 ∞
feb 10 2014 +