3 Books that Shaped Me as a Reader

I’m pretty sure that all of us bookworms have certain books that shape us as readers, both as kids and later on in our adult lives as well. We change, our preferences too, and sometimes a book can surprise us into a whole new genre we never even considered being our thing.

I thought I would share some of the books that has shaped me as a reader over the years.

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

My dad was the one that introduced me to Anne Frank. I was about 8 years old and I already knew quite a bit about World War II as my fathers side of the family has Jewish heritage, and actually had to get away from the Nazis by moving to Sweden at that time. So the interest in WWII came at a pretty early age for me, and The Diary of a Young Girl definitely shaped my reading a lot. It was where I truly discovered how horrific, but also interesting and fascinating that time of history was, and still is. I’m still a WWII fanatic, just like my dad. I love reading non-fiction and historical fiction, and the well-written ones (especially those who are based on true stories) always breaks my heart and fill my eyes with tears. Reading Anne Frank’s diary was also what made me start journaling back in the days, which is something that I still do.

I think every kid should read this book. It’s so important and captivating. My dad also took me to Anne Frank’s house later on, which was a really interesting but also intense experience. If I remember correctly, I believe my dad has told me that I didn’t speak for a good while after we got out of there, and it is something I will never forget. I also would highly recommend going there if you ever get the chance to.

Bag of Bones by Stephen King

Bag of Bones is not my favorite King novel, but it was my very first. I remember browsing one of my local bookstores as a teenager and coming across this particular book. I can’t remember exactly what it was about Bag of Bones that compelled me to buy it, but buy it I did, and it has been quite the journey ever since.

I remember bringing it with me on a family vacation (but can’t for the life of me remember where we went), and was so captivated by this story that I was unable at times to put it down. It’s one of those stories that just made such a lasting impression on me that I actually remember quite a lot of what happened even though it has been years, and I’m pretty sure I would be surprised to find out how much I’ve probably forgotten if I tried re-reading it today (which is something I’m considering doing).

Let’s call it love at first sight, and King’s writing and I have been in a happy relationship (for the most part) for many years now, and it will continue to be that way for two reasons.

1 – The man has written so many books that I hardly doubt I will get through them all.

2 – It’s first book love, and that lasts a lifetime. Everybody knows that, right?!

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Did you just roll your eyes at the screen?! Well, if you did, I don’t blame you. Twilight is not great. It’s not even really good, but never the less, it is a book that played a pretty big role in my reading life. At the age of about 20, I found myself not having really read much in a few years. I don’t know what started that massive reading slump, but I do know that the easy entertainment that Twilight offered was what got me back into reading, and with a whole new love of fantasy and paranormal fiction. And because of that, I got to discover so many great books! So, even though I fully agree with the eye roll (and I have tried re-reading it some years later and wish that I hadn’t) it still deserves a spot on this list, and it will always hold a special place in this book lover heart of mine.

These three books are not my top three of all time, but they are all very special to me. If I hadn’t crossed paths with them, I probably would’ve had a very different reading journey than I’ve had so far.

Do you have a book that defined you more as a reader than any other? I would love to hear about it💛

Dear Diary

I’ve had a personal diary since 1998. I was eleven at the time and had just read The Diary of Anne Frank for the first time. My father took me on a trip to Amsterdam where I got to see her house. Her story and that diary touched me in a way that books rarely do. It was so personal and so moving. To read someone else’s diary is something you rarely get the opportunity to do, and to get the inside look of a little girls life in the middle of such a cruel war is heartbreaking and mesmerizing at the same time.
I had already discovered my love for writing long before 1998, but Anne Frank inspired me to put my most personal thoughts down on paper. For many years I wrote down my joys and my sorrows. Every exciting news and every heartache. I wrote about my dreams and my goals. At around the age twenty I stopped writing. I can’t really explain why, but I did miss it. That private and quiet moment where I could go through my thoughts and my memories.
So last year I started writing a personal diary again. When feeling like I had fallen into a black hole, when everything was turned upside down, I grabbed my pen and I put it all down on paper. It was brutal and it hurt, but it was also a relief. A way of coping and learning. I got to know myself a little more by daring to admit my fears and my mistakes. My dreams are still many and I write them down as I go along.
I don’t think writing a diary is for everyone, but I have a sneaking suspicion that I’ll be writing for my own sake for the rest of my life. Not so much to document what happens in my life, but because it makes me a happier and more balanced person. Maybe it’s even somewhat therapeutic.
They will be the real story of my life, the way that no one but me can tell. Totally honest.

Dear Diary….