The books that defined me over the last decade – Listed!

I saw this over at Lori’s blog, so the credits definitely go to her, but this is so emotional, that I need to write this as well. Books definitely define you as a person, and the last decade was the most important one of my life: it was primary school until the almost end of high school and that’s the most influential time as a young person. Naturally, there are many books that defined me, here’s the list and how they managed to change my life!

Harry Potter by JK Rowling

Harry Potter is super obvious and that’s why I wish to keep it short: the world that opened up to me felt like a second home, the characters like friends I’d known for my entire life and with every person that felt the same way came a new instant connection.

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

My dad got me the first Penderwicks book when I was 5 years old and I wasn’t convinced. It had four sisters, a dog and a bunny on the cover and five-year old me made the biggest mistake of misjudging it. My dad read it to me anyways and my whole family has been the biggest fan ever since. We listen to the audio books on every long car ride, we quote the books, we joke and above all else: we love this whole family.

Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan

All the series by Rick Riordan taught me that history isn’t something you must simply learn at school, but something that can be full of suspense and fun. When I read these book, there was nothing else I thought and talked about because I’d just discovered the most gripping and hilarious story ever.

Shadowhunters by Cassandra Clare

The summer of 2016, the year this was released, was traditionally spent in Vienna. I had no idea who Cassandra Clare was and what Shadowhunters were. I saw this cover more than three times at different book stores and thought the plot of people chasing demons was super intriguing. Yet the book was huge and it cost 20$ and I didn’t know anything about it (no Goodreads at that time) and so I didn’t buy it. Until one day, my dad said he’d had enough of me staring at it every time and bought it – I read it, fell in love and read every other Shadowhunters novel ever since. This book introduced me to the most magical fandom (besides Harry Potter) that I’ve ever had the chance to whitness, the created world is full of magic and creativity and love and all the characters are connected and I just couldn’t wish for more (except for Chain of Gold to finally be released!).

The Ruby Red Trilogy by Kerstin Gier

This series was the first intense (for that time) young adult series I’ve ever read and it therefore left a huge mark on me. I was shocked by the new dimensions that came with this new genre and the whole different intensity that comes with protagonists being seventeen or eighteen years old.

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

No matter how much people (me included) rant over this series nowadays, it was my first (and only) romance series I’ve ever read. I was 12 years at that time and laying the book down in order to eat or speak simply wasn’t an option. As of today, I’m not a fan of the Twilight Saga because it’s all a little too much (really, was marrying necessary?)and too cliché (the vampire vs. the werewolf) and I neither like Edward nor Jacob, and Bella neither, for that matter, but they shaped my teenage years and I’m thankful for that. Additionally, I still sometimes watch the movies with my mum because they’re funny and not too bad (the first one is my favorite haha).

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I’m not the biggest fan anymore, but I was mind-blown when I was 14 years old. I watched the movie (unknowingly, simply because we knew it was hyped) with my best friend and we were shocked by the intensity and realness of it, so I decided to read the books. Katniss and Peeta were my absolute favorite couple ever and their story was so moving that I reread every book at least three times. Who likes Gale btw?

Black Blade by Jennifer Estep

Me discovering this series was such a mere coincidence but I am IMMENSELY grateful I found this in the books of things my best friend wanted to throw away. This series was absolute magical – I was overthrown by the magical system and the described town and characters and Lila, Devon and Felix were the absolute best and hilarious characters ever. I wanted to reread this last year, but realized that it didn’t have the same appeal as I’ve read way more books and can (for myself) distinguish between a really good and average story…

Mythos Academy by Jennifer Estep

I started reading this series immediately after finishing Black Blade. I was, again, astonished by the brilliancy of a fantasy world that enchanted me and made me forget everything else. I was 15 years old, staying at my grandma’s house in Vienna and instead of spending time with my family or strolling through the beautiful city, I spend my whole week reading one book after the other.

Silver by Kerstin Gier

At first, I didn’t want to read Silver because my dad had got it for me and I didn’t trust his judgement (sorry dad, won’t make the mistake again!). I had already read some of Kerstin Gier’s books, yet hesitated for whatever reason. Mistake: this trilogy is one I hold (almost) nearest at heart. Everything is on point and I lived in this world for weeks after starting.

That’s it – the past decade was practically my whole life, so I have many books that influenced me greatly! Tell me, do we have any books in common and what are yours? Happy reading!