Books from my life that have stuck with me

I was recently thinking about books that have left a lasting impact on my life, and books that have stood the test of time in my consciousness. It’s interesting what makes a book memorable and what cements one as a personal classic. I made a really big list so I’ll only go over my personal highlights and favorites. I separated these by the era of school I was in, and honestly I was a little surprised by what I found!

Elementary School

By far the book that will always have a special place in my heart is Anne of Green Gables. This was the first chapter book I can remember reading and completing, and it was a big deal for me at the time. This was definitely early elementary school, and it truly was a fantastic book to read. I loved the characters who filled Anne’s life, especially her adoptive parents and her classmates and friends. I loved the sound of the life she lived, and the beautiful landscape, while the tragic ending of the book really struck a chord with me. I honestly can’t remember if I read the rest of the books or realized they existed, but I loved this book nonetheless.

Percy Jackson was definitely a lot of people’s favorite books as a kid, but this was genuinely life changing for me. I love Greek mythology. I love any kind of mythology really, and I definitely credit that prolonged interest to the Percy Jackson books. I read the Harry Potter books later in my elementary school experience, because everybody kept saying I needed to read it and I stand by Percy Jackson supremacy to this day. Just absolutely incredible books, exactly what child me wanted out of a book. I haven’t really kept up with the newest ones, just because some of the humor isn’t really for me anymore, but I have held onto my books for a long time. I even went through an online thrift shopping hunt to get the first series in the original covers. I was a little obsessed.

Lots of books I could talk about, might make a part two to this, but I want to mention a graphic novel series I read, the Bone series. I honestly think this was the only graphic novel series I’ve ever read and loved, graphic novels didn’t really captivate me much for some reason. These graphic novels were so good, genuinely so incredible. Such a captivating fantasy story with such an interesting art direction. There was supposed to be a Netflix series based off these graphic novels and it got cancelled, and that was honestly so devastating for me. It’s such a fascinating story with so many interesting and captivating characters, the world is also so interesting while leaving some questions unanswered. I genuinely would recommend this to anyone, I’ve been wanting to reread for years now.

Middle School

I’ve got some random books here. I was kind of reading all over the place in middle school, but my first one has got to be Jurassic Park. This was a recommendation from my dad if I’m remembering correctly, and I was so starved for books at the time I just picked it up to read. I remember being so bored by this book at first, I was never really one to enjoy scientific explanation, but when the action gets going this book is just incredible. It is genuinely akin to horror, there are some brutal kills in this book, and a state of fear that overhangs every scene. The inclusion of the kids made this book more appealing to me as it gave me someone to project onto, and someone to relate to which enhanced the fear factor more than anything. I’m now one of those people insisting these books are adapted all wrong, and the movies need to focus on the horror aspects of the book. 

Looking for Alaska was probably one of the most influential books I’ve ever read. Back in the John Green craze I made it my mission to read every other book by him, and Looking for Alaska is my obvious favorite. There are such fun highs in this book, with the characters being pranksters and class clowns, but then the lows are crushingly low. The characters are so well fleshed out and feel like a real group of friends, making this such a fun and wild ride, while also making it that much more devastating. I didn’t mind the mini-series adaptation of this book, but nothing can compare to the original. One of the books that really inspired me to write.

I can’t get out of this without talking about Throne of Glass. Imagine my shock at these books going viral now when I was reading them so long ago. When I started reading both this series and A Court of Thorns and Roses hadn’t even been completed yet. I’m not sure how well these books have aged, I haven’t really reread them in a long time, but at the time they were absolutely captivating to me. I was in a bit of a slump and Maas’ prose was so readily consumable to me. I remembered recommending them to friends who were in slumps, because I thought her work was so good to get you out. It’s not difficult to understand, it’s not excessively flowery, and the plot leaves you wanting to know more. There are definitely criticisms of this series as it has become more popular, but at the time I just really loved the series and it was very impactful for me.

High School

Lots of required reading will make an appearance here, just because I was slowly being introduced to different types of writing and that alone was incredibly impactful. The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion, is one of the most impressive books I’ve ever read. It is a devastating memoir, and the saddest book I have ever read. I remember just having to take breaks because of how often it would bring me to tears. Didion’s writing is absolutely captivating and impressive at showing her state of mind. Her prose is so clear for someone reflecting on something so horrible in their life, as she expresses her own inability to grapple with her emotions. This book is not for casual reading. This book requires time and space. I highly recommend it.

High School definitely heightened my love for fantasy, and my favorite series The Folk of the Air. After reading the more masculinized versions of fae and fairies written by Sarah J. Maas, the more true to myth version by Holly Black was welcome territory. I was so consumed by the characters and the underlying romance over the political struggle. There is something so fascinating in making your main character someone so complex and morally grey. I still have a deep love for these books, and I aim to reread them soon.

The Great Gatsby has to make an obligatory appearance on this list. I think junior year English class really changed the way I read books, and this book was definitely a factor in that. Learning so much more about the meaning written throughout the prose, and all the fascinating aspects of this are incredible. But honestly this makes the cut just based on the final two paragraphs, possibly the best closing to a book I’ve ever read. 

Now

Of course this list could change in the next ten years, but here’s what’s captivating me now. 

Woman, Eating is a book I read for class, and absolutely astounded me. Such an incredible story with such fascinating themes, and a strong voice. I’m a sucker for any vampire fiction that takes risks and finds new ways to use the vampire, and this book is definitely that. So, so good. My only critiques are about the ending, which I felt was a little rushed, but otherwise fantastic.

The Bell Jar. What is there to say? I think this should be required reading. Being in my early 20’s, this book really spoke to me and made me think more about my life and the world around me. The prose is excellent, with such interesting wording and phrasing, and answers questions while hiding some answers. I loved it, truly read it at the right time in my life and I highly recommend it.

Tender is the Flesh. As I delve more into horror and offbeat books, this book came to me at a perfect time. A fascinating and disgusting story, this is definitely not for the faint of heart. A book whose ending rewrites the entire story, ripe for rereading and analysis. Possibly another closing line that sits with me. A strong voice, and a world that leaves you brimming with questions. Absolutely excellent.