We all know books have the power to change us, but it's definitely true that some books affect us more than others. I know many books have influenced me, but here are a few that I think have changed me the most:
How to Build a Girl
Although this book wasn’t heartbreakingly beautiful like some of the other books mentioned, I think it has changed me. Before this, I had never (and still haven’t) read a book that’s so outrageously and unapologetically feminist. It gets a little graphic in places, but that’s one of the reasons why I love it so much - it taught me things that no other book has yet been brave enough to explore. It’s changed my feminism, and I think it has changed me as a person too, even if not much!
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
I first read this book in one sitting back in 2014, and I really enjoyed it, but it didn’t really move me. I revisited it over the new year (I knew there was something completely special about it, that I would benefit much more from now), and it instantly became one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read.
The thing that struck me the most about this book was the protagonist, Charlie. There was something about him that I know is in myself, and in some ways it hit too close to home for me. The story is told entirely through Charlie’s POV, but because there were elements of Charlie that were me, I utterly lived in the story too.
It was so heartbreaking, and only the second book ever to make my cry. I was thinking about it for so long after (I’ve come up with so many analyses and interpretations of the ending!), and I think the poignant messages are with me now. This book has taught me things that I will take away forever.
Divergent
The thing that struck me the most about this book was the protagonist, Charlie. There was something about him that I know is in myself, and in some ways it hit too close to home for me. The story is told entirely through Charlie’s POV, but because there were elements of Charlie that were me, I utterly lived in the story too.
It was so heartbreaking, and only the second book ever to make my cry. I was thinking about it for so long after (I’ve come up with so many analyses and interpretations of the ending!), and I think the poignant messages are with me now. This book has taught me things that I will take away forever.
Divergent
I’ve loved reading ever since I learnt to, but the Divergent series were the ones that introduced me to YA. I got hooked on them, and wanted to continue my addiction onto other books. I gradually discovered the YA genre, and look at me now... I’m addicted! Looking back, they’re far from my favourite series, but they’ve definitely changed me. If I didn’t read them, I don’t know if I’d be here! Hopefully, I would have discovered the YA genre and community another way, but who knows...
Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock
If I was to be asked to only pick one book to be my favourite, this would be the one I would choose, without a shadow of a doubt. It’s fair to say that I absolutely adore this book with all of my heart. When I first read it, I found it deeply moving, but it didn’t touch me in the way it did the second time round. The character of Leonard struck a chord with me, so it will always be extremely special.
If I was to be asked to only pick one book to be my favourite, this would be the one I would choose, without a shadow of a doubt. It’s fair to say that I absolutely adore this book with all of my heart. When I first read it, I found it deeply moving, but it didn’t touch me in the way it did the second time round. The character of Leonard struck a chord with me, so it will always be extremely special.
Suicide is an issue that has become very important and poignant to me, so I don’t usually enjoy reading books about depression - recently I have been avoiding them for this reason. But, it is handled so well in here. This has really helped me, and I know will continue to help so many other people. I’m sure this is the book that has changed me the most, because I think I look at the world - and the people around me - differently. It was also the first book ever to make me cry!
What are the books that have changed you? Are there any books that have really impacted on your life?
Hello! I'm D - a dog-loving feminist from the UK. You'll probably find me with my nose in a book or playing my clarinet
