Books that Changed My Life

I don't think that any book-lover can truthfully say that their life hasn't been changed by books. But what about specific books? For me, that was a bit harder.

I saw this video on Sasha @ A Book Utopia's channel, and when I first saw it, I didn't think that I'd have anything specific to say. But then, as I was writing my post about my unfinished series, I thought about how much Discworld has affected me, and that got me thinking about other books that have shaped my life. Here are four of the most important.

THE WEE FREE MEN by Terry Pratchett: This is the series that helped inspire this post. I first read this series in third grade. I picked up A HAT FULL OF SKY in a bookstore in Florida, where my parents were trying to distract me from the fact that the reason we were across the county with no notice was because my grandpa had a stroke, and I didn't know it was the second books. When we got back, my mom got me the first book. I still have that beat-up, battered copy on my bookshelf. I loved it, and now, I can't imagine my life without Terry Pratchett books.

SAMANTHA SAVES THE DAY by Valerie Tripp: I could go with any of the American Girl books for this, but this is the one that I've read by far the most times. I still remember so many small details of this book, even though I haven't read it since probably fifth grade. I fully credit the American Girl books with my interest in history, and that has lasted my entire life. I really don't know where I'd be - or what I'd be studying - without them.

LOVE FROM YOUR FRIEND, HANNAH by Mindy Warshaw Skolsky: Another historical fiction book! So many years after first reading this series, I still want a roll-top desk like Hannah has, and I'm still utterly fascinated by player pianos. I didn't even realize how much it meant to me at the time that Hannah would regularly talk about matzah ball soup and celebrating Jewish holidays, but looking back, it was so important that I had that when almost every other Jewish book I read was about tragedy. They all have their place, but I'm glad that this series found its way to me. Also, I just have to say how much I love that Hannah has a problem with her pen pal and she decides that the obvious first course of action is to complain to the president.


CLARA BARTON: FOUNDER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS by Augusta Stevenson: Are we sensing a pattern here? I'm pretty sure I found this at a Friends of the Library Sale, and I honestly wouldn't be surprised if I grabbed it just because we have the same first name. I honestly couldn't have predicted how much more I have in common with Clara Barton. Her story continues to inspire me - she was quiet and shy when it came to standing up for herself, but fearless when it came to helping others.

What are the books that have changed your life? Tell me in the comments!