What Are The Books That Have Stayed With You

To be honest, I believe that there is something truly special about the books that we read during our teen years. Perhaps it's because we are at an age where we are still discovering ourselves and trying to make sense of the world around us. Whatever the reason may be, I find that the books I enjoyed the most during that time have stayed with me throughout my life. The stories we read during this crucial developmental stage can shape our perceptions of the world and ourselves for years to come. 

I can't help but feel nostalgic for some of the books that first made me fall in love with reading. Whether you're a teenager yourself or just looking to revisit some of your favorite books from that time, I encourage you to pick up a copy and see what kind of magic they might still hold for you.

Here are some of the books that I still pick up and read regularly;  

  1. The Hobbit - J.R.R Tolkien. I read this at 11 at the recommendation of my school librarian and there is a reason it’s on every classic literature list. Dragons, magic and adventure, what else do you need?
  2. The Outsiders - S.E.Hinton. A heartbreaking coming-of-age story. This was the first book that we HAD to read at school that I actually enjoyed. Even though it was published in 1967, it still speaks to the heart of what it’s like to “grow up”
  3. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - C.S Lewis. This one makes the list as it inspired me to write my first song at age 8. Still a captivating story even as an adult! 
  4. Tomorrow When The War Began - John Marsden. Growing up in Sydney, Australia, this was such a wonderful book to read as it was set in a familiar location! The sights and smells described still remind me of home! However, regardless of where you grew up, this is a powerful story of survival and heroism! 
  5. Alanna: The First Adventure - Tamora Pierce. This is definitely one for the girls, I loved this series! It tells the tale of Alanna who hides her real gender and identity so she can train as a knight in a time and place where it is forbidden for a girl to do so. Empowering and captivating. 
  6. Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone - J.K Rowling. My list just simply wouldn’t be complete without this book. It’s still one of my favorite stories to get swept up in. There is a reason why the series compelled a whole generation to read! 

‍

UNLOCK MORE