“What’s the worst thing I’ve stolen? Probably little pieces of other people’s lives. Where I’ve either wasted their time or hurt them in some way. That’s the worst thing you can steal, the time of other people. You just can’t get that back.”

“Once you realize there is life after mistakes, you gain a self-confidence that never goes away.”

1. The fault in our stars: this is a controversial one, a lot of people think this is overrated but in terms of books that shaped my life, this one takes the cake. This is a riveting novel that kinda opened me up to empathy in a way my teenage brain had not grasped yet. John green is an incredible writer, his writing style is so poetic and symbolic its awe inspiring. If you’re not afraid of an emotional read, I think this story has worlds to tell about being an empathetic human being.
2. The female of the species: this book is so freaking captivating it’s scary, it crazy entertaining and just a very real and organic story, that tackles the issue of sexual assault and rape and it just really makes you think about these heavy topic without feeling like homework. The way I would describe this story it’s a case study, you’re just really analyzing the details of the complex and emotional story but again, it doesn’t feel like work.
3. See you in the cosmos: this book is about the heart warming adventure of a boy as he goes to space camp. Everything about this book is heart achingly sad and sweet. It deals with a whole bevy of issues from broken family life, mental illness and so much more . This is one book I think anyone who reads it can walk away feeling like it truly made an impact on their lives. Just reading this book made me feel grateful for the opportunity to consume stories like this.
4. The song of DAVID: *scandalous gasp* an adult novel on this list! Romance/ erotic romance gets a bad rap for being frivolous but this is one romance book I would recommend to absolutely anyone, again, another heart achingly sweet read about a blooming romance between a blind girl and a sick guy. This was honestly one of the most eye opening books i’ve read about someone with a disability. It felt real and I truly feel like I learned about life with a disability; this story was so vivid and captivating it really took you into the life of this woman and that’s something you just couldn’t get from a nonfiction book. Warning though, this is adult so definitely read at your own discretion (but I can vouch to say it’s not too graphic).
5. All the bright places: another controversial one, this book isn’t on this list for it’s the plot so much as the impact it had on me, at the end of this book I was full on ugly crying. This story was so twisted and real it hurt. Looking back I fear it might romanticize suicide but I just had to add it, because if you know anyone or you don’t particularly understand depression this can be very eye opening. I feel like this book was very insightful and gave you a little glimpse into the mind of someone who’s struggle with depression. Trigger warning: this novel contains suicide.
6. Ruthless people: ahhh, another adult novel made it to this list. This book is a lot lighter than the previous books I’ve mentioned but just as important to me. The story and writing alone could carry this book, but if you’re even remotely interested in phycology, this book will be a interesting read for you. This novel follows the lives of a mobster couple in Chicago; Its addictingly twisty and almost like a novella. If you’re into crime, mystery and/or romance this book will check all the boxes for you. The reason I feel everyone can benefits from reading this though, is I feel like it really digs into the psyche of a criminal and it’s so fascinating. It dances over that line of wrong and right, in a way that addicting to read.  This book truly widened my perspective and it was interesting to dive into the brains of criminals and murderers and have good time doing it. I 100% recommend this book if you don’t mind the graphic sex scenes.