Books that Taught Me About Books

Last month, I posted about a book and author that I feel shaped me. Today, I'm going to continue in that vain. In this post, I'm going to do things a little differently, and briefly discuss some books, and how they changed me or my reading habits. Click on any of the cover images to go to that Amazon.com page.

Another book that I think really changed me as a reader is A Wrinkle in Time. That book, which I read for the first time when I was about eight, is a big reason I ever bothered with sci-fi. That's not to say that I would never have gotten into dystopians without having read it, but it made me far more open to a genre I used to think was all aliens and space cowboys. Not that I have anything against those.

The Giver (which I read at 11), marked my official leap in to the realm of dystopian novels. It also taught me that just because I dislike the ending to the book doesn't make the book bad. It was also the first book I remember reading with that kind of an ending. The type of ending that made me realize that I am a pretty pessimistic person.

The Mysterious Benedict Society taught me that the suggested age on the book doesn't have to mean anything. That book is wonderful however old you are.

For some reason, I couldn't find the original cover on Amazon...

Twilight taught me that you can enjoy a not very good book. I will honestly say I enjoyed reading those books. They are quick reads, and they are page turners. When I finished Breaking Dawn, I though back on it, and realized there wasn't a whole lot I liked about the book. I didn't really like the characters, the plot, or the writing. But I still enjoyed reading it, and I don't regret reading it.

My favorite Sarah Dessen book.

Various Sarah Dessen books taught me that, despite my aforementioned pessimistic tendencies, I am a sucker for a good romance, and I will NEVER expect the ending to one of her books. Honestly, I keep reading them in the hopes that one of them will work out.

The Fault in Our Stars taught me that a sad ending can still be a good one. I actually cried a little at that one.

Which reminds me, I can only remember crying a few times while reading a book. Along with TFIOS, the only one I can remember is Little Women, though I'm sure there must be more. I came very close to crying at the end of Darkling Plain (the last Hungry Cities book).

What books taught you things, or changed the way you thought, either as a reader, or in general. Also, what books made you cry?

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