Books and reading have always been a huge part of my life, even before movies and television shows. Books have given me a ton of lessons but some books have touched me more than others. These are all books that I literally read before I even reached high school that have definitely impacted me in my young adulthood.
Speak
This is one of the most powerful books I have ever read. I know a few people have probably seen the 2004 film adaptation starring Kristen Stewart but it just doesn’t do this book justice. I don’t want to give too much away about this story but reading this book as a preteen has definitely had a large impact on how I treat sexual assault survivors. I really recommend this to everyone. Buy it on Amazon for $6.15.
The Clique series
Okay so hear me out. This book (and the accompanying series) does not, I repeat does NOT have the emotional impact of the previously mentioned Speak but it is most definitely my favorite book series of all time. Why? Because as a child I really struggled with making friends and as mean as they could be Massie, Claire and the rest of The Pretty Committee were my best friends. Also, the fashion I lived for the fashion in this series. Buy it on Amazon for $6.36.
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
I’m pretty sure this book is already considered a classic but boy is it iconic in my own head. It’s such an honest story of puberty and understanding who you want to become that it touched my heart. You can check it out on Amazon for $7.99.
The Giver
The Giver is one of those books that makes you think. It’s actually one of the first books that made me think. Again, I don’t want to spoil it but this book is definitely considered a classic and must read as well so please check it out. Get it on Amazon for $7.69.
The Uglies series
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
The Skin I’m In
Another one of those books my mom assigned me during the summer. This book is honestly the first times I had to confront colorism and I was in like the 4th grade. I think one of the biggest lessons this book taught me is to listen to people when they talk about their experiences. Check this out on Amazon for $7.40.
What are your favorite books? Let me know in the comments and hopefully I can check them out!
30 thoughts on “7 Books that Changed my Life”
Yessss! I LOVED The Clique series growing up! I still have all of mine…and Roll of Thunder hear me cry I have and loved too! I’m still an avid reader so I will give the others a try!! I know the giver is a classic I need to read!
Natalie
http://www.thegracereal.com
I love these suggestions! I don’t know these books but I will definitely read some of them. Thank you for sharing!
What an interesting list! I didn’t care for The Giver, but I did enjoy Uglies…but only the first two of the series. I love Rolle of Thunder. It’s wonderful and definitely made an impact on me when I read it. Also, your mom sounds like my kind of person. I’ll definitely give my children similar assignments.
Thanks for reading! I didn’t love the last Uglies because I think it wasn’t as well written as the first two but still enjoyed it a lot.
Unfortunately I’m not well read, so I’m not familiar with any of these! I made it one of my goals for the year to read 12 books so I’m slowly starting to get into the habit of picking up a book & getting some reading done. I recently finished “what I know for sure” by Oprah & it was amazing! I’ll definitely look into some of the ones you shared here!
-madi xo | http://www.everydaywithmadirae.com
I was looking for some interesting reads and I am really happy I ran into your blog. I will see which one of these I will start reading first!
I remember reading Speak and it kind of rocked my world. Are You There God is such a timeless throwback! Great list, thank you for the nostalgic memories 🙂
O MG! you jsut brought back so many memories. I read the clique series and remember every book always being checked out in the library because every other girl was reading them too. NOW! Uglies? Pretties? and Supernaturals?! I LOVEDDDDDDDDD those books. I still do. They were probably my favorite books that I have ever read in my life. I have a spin off book from thsoe at home now that I pick up and read here and here when my self help books get boring!
So many great book I was always a Judy Blume fan as a kid !
Oh I love everything that Judy Blume has ever written. Life-changing for sure!
The clique series was amazing!
Briana
https://beyoutifulbrunette.com/
Must say you got good taste of books. But unfortunately I am not in to reading books. I know I need to setup some target for me to read on. Thanks for reminding me that. I will consider from the book list you mentioned here.
Heena -https://travelandhikewithpcos.com/
After I read your first paragraph I was thinking to myself what book impacted me in my school days and I thought about “The Giver” such a great book. And it made your list!! Makes me want to read it again. Thanks for this list. ❤️
How interesting the topics we can find in your book selection. Now I am very interested in reading them too.
I have not read any of these books, but I will add them to my list. My favorite book from my preteen years is The Outsiders. Loved the movie too.
I have read three 😉 I had even forgot about them till you mentioned. Yes definately some great picks! I really like books by Jojo Moyes, and self help books – like last night my pick at Barnes and Noble was Smart Women Finish RICH by David Bach
I’m definitely going to check some of those out!
I haven’t read most of these but I do love The Giver and Are You There, God? Great list!
Lauren | https://www.laurelandiron.com/
I’m a person that like to read at least two books a month will check some of these out.
I lived and have read all of these. I believe that the clique was the inspiration for meN girls. Great list.
Giver sounds really intriguing. Will have to pick it up
It’s really good
I’ve read several of these, but Speak has a special place in my heart. I just read Laurie Halse Anderson’s new memoir Shout–it’s so powerful. It could be easily read in conjunction with Speak.
Ooh I might need to look into that one!
Such a great list! I’m in the process of creating a Contemporary Literature class for my high school students, and Speak is on my list. I need to check out The Skin I’m In…that sounds really powerful!
Omg I love the book the skin I’m in! I agree it definitely changed my life after I read it as a teenager. That a Tears of a Tiger! You should read that I cried real tears!
I’ve only read the Judy Blume book! I need to add the rest to my list!
I have not read any of these. I am going to have to add some of these to my reading list. Thank you for sharing.
I love getting new recommendations for books, especially this time of year when I will be spending more time by a pool. All the books you posted I have not read yet!
I love The Giver! One of my all-time favorite books. (I love dystopias). I also read Uglies. DId you know it’s part of a series?
A recent book I read that you might find interesting is “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” It’s the story of a black woman’s life in the 1950s and how her cancer cells became known as ‘HeLa cells’ and helped create many of the vaccines we have today. It’s a great read!
Sarah from https://happylittletadpole.com/blog/