Books that Rock My World

 

I love to read--this may or may not come as a surprise. I can't remember when exactly my passion for books formed, but I think it had something to do with my parents.

 

When I was young, my parents would read with me. They spent time with each of us kids every night, reading to us and--when we were old enough to read--with us. Together, we made it through countless books that I still adore today, and want my own children to love someday. Some of those books include Roald Dahl, Little House on the Prairie, Holes, and Wayside School. The list is extensive, but the common thread is that each of these books holds memories that pare priceless to me.

 

Even after my parents stopped reading with me, I sustained that growing love of books and began to find that although I loved many books, there were a few books that fundamentally rocked my world, and lingered with me long after I had read the final chapter.

 

Today, I wanted to share with you some of those books that changed me, and still have the power to change me when I read them today. This list is by no means comprehensive; these are books that I came up with during a (very) short brainstorming session, while at the same time keeping more obvious books like Harry Potter out of the mix. I also tried to keep the list limited to books I read pre-college. There are a couple I couldn't resist adding that have rocked my world in recent years, but the majority of these books are from elementary through high school.

 

So, without further ado, here are some books that have rocked my world:

 

 

Ella Enchanted (Gail Carson Levine). This book has been a favorite of mine since fourth grade. I got it from one of my favorite teachers in the world: Mrs. Callentine. I LOVE this clumsy, spunky heroine of this Cinderella retelling--it is a familiar story with a remarkably creative twist. For a story that has been retold countless times, this version of the story was unexpected and enjoyable. I fell in love with both major and minor characters, and want to travel to the town of Frell, where this story takes place. To this day, Ella Enchanted is a book that I turn to when feeling stressed or a need to feel reminiscent.

 

 

Why this book changed my life: I think this was the first time that I had really read a fairy tale retelling, and realized that the retelling of stories has potential to be as much fun as the original story itself. I realized that first-person perspective was a good way to really experience a book: to be able to take up residence inside a character's head and experience the story yourself (in a way).

 

 

Any book written by Eva Ibbotson. I know this is cheating, but I could not narrow this incredible author to one book. I do, however, have a couple "honorable mentions" that I will share with you. When I was young, I fell in love with Which Witch, a silly story about a good witch who desperately wants to be evil, so that she can marry an evil warlock. It was fun because of the unusual storyline: after all, in similar stories, doesn't the evil person want to change to be better? Not so with this story. I loved it. Several years later, I saw Eva Ibbotson's name again. I picked up a couple of her books, Countess below Stairs, and The Morning Gift. Eva Ibbotson uses language that soars. She has an incredible way with words that makes the story sink into you and stay there. It is beautiful--and I just feel happy whenever I read something by Eva Ibbotson.

 

Why these books changed my life: Like I said, Ibbotson's prose sings. I didn't know language could be built in that sort of pattern; I didn't know that describing a setting or event could be so captivating. For me, I sometimes skim through long paragraphs that have nothing going on, but with these books, I hold onto every word, since Ibbotson makes sure each word is put to use and there is not a syllable wasted.

 

 

Regarding the Fountain (Kate and M. Sarah Klise). This book is just--simply put--fun. The character names, the story, and the illustrations all work together to create a story you just want to be a part of. Each time I read this book, I notice something new to be entertained by. There isn't a whole lot to say about this book, other than it is wonderful. And, it made my list, so that has got to count for something.

 

Why this book changed my life: I loved the unique style of this book. It is written entirely in letters (the subtitle of the book is "a tale, in letters, of liars and leaks") between members of a class and the eccentric fountain designer. It was the first time I had read an epistolary novel, and have been drawn to them ever since. Actually, this book inspired me to start writing an epistolary novel on my own. That book never actually took off, but one day I would like to still write it. This book also made me really want a pen pal so I could write letters of my own.

 

 

The Hollow Kingdom (Clare B. Dunkle). This is TECHNICALLY a trilogy, but I didn't know about the final two books until a couple years ago. This book is awesome. I read it in junior high school, then didn't see it again for several years. It stayed in my mind, but I could never remember the title. Then one day, I had this crazy urge to read it again, but I had a problem: The only thing I could remember about it was the cover (which had a girl in a red cloak), and the fact that it had to do with goblins. After a bit of searching and due to the amazingness of the internet, I was able to actually find the book again (I firmly believe it was fate). The characters are so well-developed that they FEEL human, and the storyline is super intriguing.

 

Why this book changed my life: This was my first leap into what I would consider "deep" fantasy. I mean, it isn't as deep fantasy as some novels I have read since, but we are talking goblins, elves, dwarves, and magic. I loved it. Plus, the dialogue was clever and oftentimes witty, and everything was so well-developed that I could imagine Clare Dunkle's world with near-perfect clarity. I used to imagine that most books would be beautifully portrayed by a movie, but this book changed my mind. I don't think that a movie would do either the descriptions or characters justice. In fact, I would even dare say that most books are better served by the power of your own imagination. I wouldn't say that this book INTRODUCED me to the power of imagination, but it certainly strengthened my belief in the importance and power of a strong imagination. This is a lesson I hope I can carry to my future family, since imagination seems to be something that is scoffed at more and more,

 

 

The Water Trilogy (Kara Daley). I have to admit, the first hook of this novel was that the main character was a mermaid. There aren't many novels about mermaids, selkies, or sirens, so that was intriguing to me. However, I was not expecting to read the complicated and beautiful web of fantasy and myth that the novel delivered. This is another book that I couldn't find again until just a couple years ago; I reread it and fell in love all over again.

 

Why this book changed my life: This book reminds me of the simple joy of reading. Sometimes it is preferable to read a difficult book, to stretch your mind and completely engage yourself in the art of reading a novel. But this book is simple. The entire trilogy only took a few days (at most) to get through, and the language wasn't anything that was complicated. I found that it was a relief to step back and to fill in some of the story myself, instead of reading several hundred pages worth of description. In writing, this reminds me that I don't have to use lofty prose or complicated words to get my point across. The importance of a story is a matter of caring enough about the story to tell it in the way that best suits, rather than the most complicated way possible.

 

 

Anne of Green Gables. (L. M. Montgomery). I am ashamed to admit that I have only read the first book of this delightful series. But from the first novel, I have gathered one thing: Anne Shirley is my twin. I had no idea I could relate to a fictional character so well, but Anne Shirley is a redheaded version of myself. From her crazy antics to her wild imagination, I love this character. Now that I am a little older, I realize how many similar experiences I share with Anne, and how many times I created my own problems in my head. I now understand the frequent eye-rolls I saw as a child, but that the imagination I shared with my family has developed into something much more beautiful and less frivolous. Anne matures incredibly throughout the first novel, and it gives me home that I can have a healthy imagination and still be classy and elegant.

 

Why this book changed my life: Apart from the reasons I mentioned above, reading about Anne Shirley was a very sobering experience for me. I learned that I had some serious flaws that I needed to deal with, but that I could overcome them and become a better person. I learned that maturity is a process, but not one that involves giving up your fundamental values. I also learned that there are "fluff" books, and books that have a lot of substance. I think it is the same thing with lives. There are lives that have a lot of substance, and I would like to live a life like that. And this book was a guiding force that lead me toward that goal.

 

 

Peter Pan (J.M. Barrie). The whole premise and story of “the boy who never grew up” is actually [somewhat] of an obsession of mine. I absolutely ADORE Peter Pan. To me, this book is a perfect illustration of imagination. Plus, in reading and rereading this book, I have found such an incredible depth to Barrie’s writing that I learn something each time I read it. That is a conversation for another day, but one of my tell-tale signs of a good book is one I can read and analyze over and over and still enjoy reading.

 

Why this book changed my life: I immersed myself into this book so heavily, that Peter Pan became a part of who I was. I DREAMT I was Peter Pan, for goodness sake! Now THAT is obsession you can’t fake. This book has the perfect villain, and the childlike narration is delightful. This book helped me realize that an author can’t help but put a little bit of themselves in their writing; and that is okay.

 

 

Gone with the Wind (Margaret Mitchell). In junior high, I read this book because I had to take AR (accelerated reading) tests. Basically, every student had to read books and try to earn a certain number of points by taking tests about the books they read. I hated it, but tried to read as many “big” books as I could so I could take fewer tests. Gone with the Wind was one of the largest point values on the reading list, so I decided to give it a shot. I did NOT expect to love this book. But I do. I have a love-hate relationship with Scarlett O’Hara, and am one of the many women who has fallen in love with Rhett Butler. This story is very rich in its historical import, and feels very realistic.

 

Why this book changed my life: I never realized that you could hate a main character but still love a story until I read this. This was also my first time venturing into the realm of historical fiction. I found that the history aspect of the story pulled me in, and I found myself more interested in American History than I had hitherto been. I had never thought about what an incredible history America has, but this book made me learn more.

 

 

Inkheart (Cornelia Funke). This book is beautiful. Cornelia Funke is actually a German author, and all of her work is translated. I believe that translators stay fairly true to the original text (as much as is possible), so I think it is fair to say that Cornelia Funke is an incredibly skilled author. This book reminds me why I love books, and the storytelling transports me to such a beautiful medieval-esque land, where good doesn’t always come out on top, but where “the end” isn’t really the end. A world where stories exist before they are told, and where they continue on after that last page is turned. The cast of characters is a mix of good, evil, and in-between, and range from normal, everyday people to fairies and fire dancers.

 

Why this book changed my life: I think what I learn most from this book is that people are not 100% good, but neither are they 100% evil. People, for the most part, are trying to make it through life in the best way they know how. I think we forget that sometimes, and in reading about all of these flawed characters I learned that I am in no position to decide who is “good” and who is “bad.” In fact, one of my very favorite characters in the series starts off as a pawn for the villain in the novel. By the end of the trilogy, he has made such a complete change, that he makes an incredible sacrifice for a character he cares about.

 

 

Night Circus (Erin Morgenstern). This book actually only came out a couple years ago, but already it has had such a profound influence on my life. It is a difficult book to explain, because the imagery and story are very interdependent. Without the incredible descriptions in this novel, the book loses a lot of its charm. And without the compelling storyline, there is no reason for those descriptions. Every single element of the story is important. There is no empty movement in this novel. Each item, each interaction, and each element of the story has been thoughtfully planned out by the author, and each leads to enhance the story as a whole. This book can be accurately described as “enchanting.”

 

Why this book changed my life: Erin Morgenstern loves writing. And I am not just saying that because she has published a book. I am saying that because every word and phrase in this novel indicates hours and days spent agonizing over the perfect choice of words. Many other authors would have settled for less-perfect-but-still-beautiful words and phrases, but to me Night Circus feels like there was an incredible amount of thought put into it. I absolutely respect that, and admire Erin Morgenstern for her debut novel. To me, this novel seems like it must appear on paper as very similar to how the author first imagined it. This requires an enormous amount of skill, and the layers of meaning in this book are masterful. This is not a book to be devoured; this is a book to read and think and analyze, even as you enjoy the journey. Erin Morgenstern has made me want to write something beautiful and profound; that one day I can have my own novel that has depth and power, as well as an engaging story.

 

Well, there you have it. Ten books that have changed my life. What are some books that have changed yours? I would love to hear about books that you read over and over again, not just to find out how it ends (since that is accomplished by one reading), but those stories you read because you love the world, or you love the characters, or because you simply love the storyline so much that you want to get wrapped up in the journey one more time—even though you know everything that will happen by heart.

 

Those are the kind of books we need more of those are the books that really bring changes to us and the world.