Top 5 books that changed my life
Hello bookworms!! Welcome to Top 5 Tuesday!! This week’s topic is top 5 books that changed my life. Now that we’ve been looking at our new beginnings all month, it’s time to see what inspired us!!
Honestly, why do I come up with these topics? I’m sure this sounded like a wonderful idea two months ago when I was writing topics, but now that I’m having to do it… ummm, I don’t know how to respond?! (Hence my later than normal posting time…)
If you missed the January-March 2022 topics please see this link. Top 5 Tuesday was created by Shanah @ Bionic Book Worm, and is now being hosted here @ Meeghan reads.
top 5 books that changed my life
I have to give credit where credit is due. Em (@booksaboutem) and Sarah (@commasandampersands) 100% brain-stormed with me when I was losing my mind earlier. Seriously, someone remind me not to go too big on topics for next quarter!!
Throne of Glass — Sarah J Maas
Odd choice, I know. But hear me out!! Throne of Glass was one of the first (if not THE first) proper YA categorised book that I read as an adult. And by “adult”, I mean “in my 30s”. And I did not read this recently. Or in the last 5 years.
In fact, kudos to the bookseller who found me wandering aimlessly in the aisles of Dymocks that day. She asked if I was looking for anything in particular and I was like “I want a FUN fantasy book, but I’m at a loss.” We then went on to chat about what I had read and liked — and what I had read and didn’t like.
When she walked me over to the YA section, I was dubious. At best. BUT, she sold me on Throne of Glass (and Crown of Midnight), Poison Study (by Maria V. Snyder), and convinced me to give Daughter of Smoke and Bone another go (I had previously DNFed it).
That bookseller changed my life.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone — Laini Taylor
Strangely, this is not a continuation of the above story — although, I could make that happen. But Daughter of Smoke and Bone is special to me for a completely different reason.
Prior to reading (and finishing) this book, my hairdresser had been experimenting with colour in my hair. But, the most “out there” colour he had convinced me to go was purple.
After reading Daughter of Smoke and Bone (and honestly just being life inspired by Karou), Josh finally tipped me over the edge to getting one blue chunky foil. Which then turned into several chunky foils, and eventually became an entire head of blue hair.
While I have since been other colours, blue is the one colour that I keep going back to. It feels like me the most, and I have Karou (and Laini Taylor) to thank for that.
Enchantment — Orson Scott Card
Enchantment is the book that really, properly, inspired my love of Slavic folklore and fairytale retellings. Which I both love and hate.
I hate it, because Orson Scott Card is actually a not-so-great human. He is staunchly homophobic (and I mean that he is actively still trying to have marriage equality reversed), and he’s racist to boot. I’m not up to date on his platforms of hate, but I would hazard a guess that his beliefs also probably align with the Rowling’s of the world too. So, I intensely dislike supporting his work on my platform.
At the same time, I adore this story, and it has influenced me greatly. Enchantment is the book that pushed me into researching and learning about Slavic lore and mythology. It is also the book that inspired me to chase (and write) fairytale retellings — particularly modern ones that flip the story in some unique way.
This book absolutely changed my life, and while I love and appreciate the story, I wouldn’t recommend supporting the artist. BUT, if you see it in a second hard bookstore, do yourself a favour and buy it.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up — Marie Kondo
I actually can’t believe that I’m putting this book… but it’s true. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is one of the best non-fiction books that I have ever read. In fact, after I read it, I felt like I had a new lease on life. I also got rid of more than two-thirds of my wardrobe. It was such a thrilling experience.
Even now, when something annoys me, or I have too many things in the way to find what I need, I start to categorise things to get rid of. I don’t always do it in the method that Kondo recommends. Sometimes I just do a kitchen drawer or my socks. But every time I find it invigorating.
The only things that I haven’t been able to apply her methods to, are books and stationery. And I think it’s because both of these things genuinely bring me joy. Which is actually the whole point. It has definitely made it easier to get rid of books that I did not enjoy though, so maybe it has worked?! I remember holding onto my copy of Cursed Child because I wanted the full set of books. But I genuinely hated that book (there are reasons, trust me), and the day that I sent it off to the second hand store made me so happy. It was like a whole weight lifted off my shoulders.
It’s a bit clichéd, but The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, did actually change my life.
The Scorpio Races
Ha! Did you think we were getting to the end of this list without The Scorpio Races?! You were sadly mistaken if you did.
The Scorpio Races is my favourite book. Of all time. I read it annually. My first edition signed and personalised hardcover is one my most prized possessions. However, that’s not why I love this book.
One of the most special things to me about The Scorpio Races is that it’s the book that made me realise that you can write a character-driven book in a fantasy setting. Apart from the fact that I think this is done AMAZINGLY well. It has this beautifully poetic writing style, that matches the quiet moments of the book. But it also has this slow (but sometimes fast) action-type plot that tricks you into thinking it’s a plot-based story. But it’s definitely not.
I know I talk about this book all the time, but honestly, I just LOVE the story and the writing so much. And it makes me happy.
Please don’t forget to link to one of my posts (not my homepage or a category, as I won’t get the pingback), or comment your link below, and I will link back to all of your posts as soon as I can!!
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DB’s Guide to the Galaxy
What are your top 5 books that changed your life?
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28 Comments
Janette
I’ve never heard of Scorpio Races but it definitely sounds like a book that I need to check out.
meeghan
It’s honestly just my favourite book ever. I love it so much. But it is also a character-driven book so a lot of people are disappointed because it’s not plot-driven. 🥰
Janette
I’ll take character over plot every time😀
Here-Be-Dragons
Great post 💕 I feel you with Orsen Scott Card though – I feel the same way about JKR. The HP books changed my life and I love them… but it’s tainted now.
meeghan
SAME!! It’s why I try not to talk about them at all, because they get so much love. I haven’t featured them for years because of her beliefs.
Here-Be-Dragons
It’s so hard and I hate it 😔
Alli B | On the Trip Side
I absolutely love hearing when someone loves a books soooo much, that they read it annually. These books always make me consider picking it up.
Thank you for sharing your top 5!
xo – Alli | https://www.onthetripside.com
meeghan
Thanks Alli!! And welcome!! I’ll come visit your post a bit later 😘
dbsguidetothegalaxy
I definitely saw The Scorpio Races being on here! And I do really want to re-read it now that I’m more of a character-driven book.
meeghan
*whispers* DO ITTTTTT 🥰😘
dbsguidetothegalaxy
😆 maybe in November? Cause that’s when people like to read it, right? The first?
meeghan
Meh. As a Southern Hemisphere person, I pretend it’s November in May, and usually read around May/June. Except for last year.
dbsguidetothegalaxy
😄 Yeah that’s why I never join in on the whole “read horror in October” because like I watch horror movies year round! Same with books! Christmas movies… I can only watch at Christmas time. Even though they’re all white Christmases 😄
meeghan
😂😂 I’ve seen one good (ok, trashy but fun) summer Christmas film. I’ll find it and let you know.
dbsguidetothegalaxy
😂👍
suzannarivera
I love Daughter of Smoke and Bone! Definitely a favourite. I was the same Karou made me tempted to have blue hair (haven’t done it but always thinking about it haha).
meeghan
It’s actually a lot of fun – I highly recommend it!! 😂💙
suzannarivera
Maybe I might need to 😂
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peatlong
Cool list. I should try Throne of Glass some time.
Also, maybe I should ask my wife if she’s still thinking of going back to red and purple hair…
meeghan
Red and purple are fun colours!! Mine is currently dark blue with green foils. I’m liking it, but I think I want the vibrant blue back. 💙💙
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journeyintobooks
Great post, I love learning about that in which books have influenced people 💜
meeghan
Thank you!! I had a lot of fun writing it!!
Sabrina @ Wordy and Whimsical
Wow, I love the stories behind Throne of Glass and Daughter of Smoke and Bone!! It’s so cool that Karou influenced your hair colour + it’s great to hear about a Dymocks bookseller being helpful.
meeghan
They nail it sometimes, but not always… 😅
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