7 books that made an impact in the quarter (-ish) of my life

Sharing some well-loved #books and why they became so to promote #reading and literacy.

Some books entertain us, those that change us, and those which become one of our confidantes in life and for life.

My appreciation for books began with the adventures of the Berenstein Bears, Dr. Zeus, and Arthur when I was about 7 years old. Eventually, I progressed into reading Nancy Drew and the Goosebumps series which I often borrowed from our school library; and YA novels I often found in bookstores. School and University readings and literature assigned as homework and discussed in class only expanded my love for reading and literacy. At 26, I've mostly been reading memoirs; books on philosophy, Art, creativity, psychology, and marketing; and exploring other classic literature but still enjoy a good YA novel.

Books that made an impact in the quarter-ish of my life, I realized, were pivotal moments. Moments wherein I probably discovered something about myself and shifted my worldview which hereinafter heavily influenced and affected much of my life decisions--- beginning in college and hereinafter. The books I featured are contemporary literature and those seven (7) that I think to express much of creative writing, the use of imagination and metaphors of how the world & society is, and reflections of existentialism and stoicism through creatively written work--- all of which played a role in my life transitions and to those I've connected and related within those moments.

1. The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

is a deeply affecting coming of age story that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up.

Synopsis:

' I walk around the school hallways and look at the people. I look at the teachers and wonder why they're here. Not in a mean way. In a curious way. It's like looking at all the students and wondering who's had their heart broken that day... or wondering who did the heartbreaking, wondering why.'

Charlie is a freshman. And while he's not the biggest geek in school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years yet socially awkward, he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it. Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through unchartered territory: the world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends, the world of sex, drugs, and the Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite. But Charlie can't stay on the sideline forever. Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.

The first big leap I ever did take in my life was in college. From a business course, I pursued the liberal arts because I've always been compelled towards art subjects and saw it was where I excelled. By the second half of my third year in Entrepreneurial Management, I was finally approved by my director to shift. Like Charlie, I knew myself and knew I fit elsewhere.

2. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

is a modern, sophisticated novel from National Book Award finalist and Printz Award honoree, E. Lockhart. Read it. And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

Synopsis:

A beautiful and distinguished family.

A private island.

A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.

A group of four friends- The Liars- whose friendship turns destructive.

A revolution. An accident. A secret.

Lies upon lies.

True love.

The truth.

This encounter was mostly liberating because before, I had my impressions of how one should write to be regarded as a "good writer. But with this creatively and simply written novel, its word choice and approach, I found out that there are various ways of writing, and how you construct your narrative and deliver your story is what makes you a great writer. Writing is really about finding your voice, being comfortable with expressing it, and affecting an audience.

3. Paper Towns by John Green

Synopsis:

'The thing about Margo Roth Spiegelman is that all I could ever do was let her talk, and then when she stopped talking encourage her to go on, due to the facts that 1. I was incontestably in love with her, and 2. she was unprecedented in every way, and 3. she never really asked me any questions...'

Quentin Jacobsen has always loved Margo from afar. So when she climbs through his window to summon him on an all-night road trip of revenge he cannot help but follow. But the next morning, Q turns up at school and Margo doesn't. She left clues to her disappearance, like a trail of breadcrumbs for Q to follow.

And everything leads to one unavoidable question: Who is the real Margo?

At the time I read this, I was in transition from EM to the Humanities and I couldn't wait till my papers were processed and I was officially on my way to a Bachelor of Arts degree rather than of Science. (haha) I understood how complex of a character Margo Roth Spiegelman was and why she so direly longed to leave. At some point, I could relate to that longing.

4. Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman

is the story of a sudden and powerful romance that blossoms between an adolescent boy and a summer guest at his parents' cliffside mansion on the Italian Riviera.

Synopsis:

Each is unprepared for the consequences of their attraction, when, during the restless summer weeks, unrelenting currents of obsession, fascination, and desire intensify their passion and test the charged ground between them. Recklessly, the two verge toward the one thing both fears they may never truly find again: total intimacy.

During one of my lows while working for "corporate", I came across a period of nostalgia; wherein I not only felt foreign and isolated but also deeply ached and searched for something. Reading the novel brought me back to my whys: why I love culture and travel, why I want to live abroad, and why, out of all the courses, I chose the Humanities. If I can recall correctly, this was one of the reasons for publishing my blog and deciding to write more.

5. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

is a work that transcends its moment, yielding poignant insights into the nature of American violence.

Synopsis:

On November 15, 1959, in the small town of Holcomb, Kansas, four members of the Clutter family were savagely murdered by blasts from a shotgun held a few inches from their faces. There was no apparent motive for the crime, and there were almost no clues.

As Truman Capote reconstructs the murder and the investigation that led to the capture, trial, and execution of the killers, he generates both mesmerizing suspense and astonishing empathy.

While finishing the novel that so got me hooked (and because I was obsessed with Riverdale, I saw how they thread their storyline, being this as the inspiration), I came up with a resolution to practice my writing; reading more books and engaging in prompts. Oh, how I adored Capote for this! I also discovered why I loved complex, mysterious, and psychological storylines and characters--- because they evoke emotions and poke at your brains which are the core of being human.

6. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Angie Thomas's searing debut about an ordinary girl in an extraordinary circumstance addresses issues of racism and police violence with intelligence, heart, and unflinching honesty.

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor black neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend, Khalil, at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.

Soon afterward, Khalil's death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Starr's best friend at school suggests he may have had it coming. When it becomes clear the police have little interest in investigating the incident, protesters take to the streets and Starr's neighborhood becomes a war zone. What everyone wants to know is: What went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.

But what Starr does--- or does not---- say could destroy her community. It could also endanger her life.

Starr Carter's voice empowered me in ways. When I read this, I was yet again, facing another crossroad in my life: should I stay or is it time to go? and I meant, quitting my first job to transfer to another company or pursue something else. It was something I didn't want to deal with or was still trying to figure out and the story just taught me to go for it---whatever it was I decided to do, I had to leap. At that time, I didn't expect myself to become an entrepreneur.

7. Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

Synopsis:

There is a door at the end of the silent corridor. And it's haunting Harry Potter's dreams. Why else would he be waking in the middle of the night, screaming in terror?

Harry has a lot on his mind for this, his fifth year at Hogwarts: a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher with a personality like poisoned honey; a big surprise on the Gryffindor Quidditch team; and the looming terror of the Ordinary Wizarding Level exams. But all these things pale next to the growing threat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named--- a threat that neither the magical government nor the authorities at Hogwarts can stop.

As the grasp of darkness tightens, Harry must discover the true depth and strength of his friends, the importance of boundless loyalty, and the shocking price of unbearable sacrifice.

His fate depends on them all.

At the time I read the Harry Potter series, I was beginning my first official job. It was another big leap for me to gain some work experience in the real world, leaving a family business. I guess, like Harry, I had to face responsibilities and was learning in the process.

How about you, reader, what are your seven books, and what did they mean to you?