25 books that have shaped my life

chloeharriswrites
1 day ago
6 min read

I turned 25 years old last month so I thought it would be fun to name the 25 books (or series...) that have had the biggest impact on my life, whether that's bringing me comfort as a kid, empowerment as a teen, or confidence as an adult.

I've ordered this as chronologically as I could, starting from my very first foray into reading to my most recent reads that I know will stick with me forever. It's cool to see how my reading tastes have changed over the years and also how much more diverse my choices have become which I think is so important!

Rainbow Magic series - Daisy Meadows

I remember storming through all of these books as a kid. I absolutely loved completing all of the different collections and my favourite fairies were the rainbow fairies and sport fairies. This series definitely helped me get through a lot of reading challenges as a kid.

My Sister Jodie - Jacqueline Wilson

My Sister Jodie is the first book that ever made me cry so I feel like it deserves a place on this list. It was the first time that I was moved enough by a story and its characters that I shed a tear. And I've sobbed over countless fictional characters since.

I also have to give an honourable mention to Hetty Feather by Jacqueline Wilson as well because that was one of my absolute favourite books as a kid.

The Gallagher Girls series - Ally Carter

I have always loved reading but this series was the start of a full-blown obsession. These are the first books that I read each book within a single day, counted down the days until the next release, and truly fell in love with the characters. As a kid, I used to pretend I was in spy school just like the main characters and it gave me so much comfort when I struggled at school. I still re-read this series to this day and I get so much joy and nostalgia from it.

The Soul Screamers series - Rachel Vincent

Along with the Gallagher Girls, this series is another story I attribute my love of reading to. Banshees are such an underrated and unused paranormal creature and this series still has all of my heart.

Morganville Vampire series - Rachel Caine

We all remember the vampire trend but, when Twilight and Vampire Diaries were leading the charge, I was falling in love with a 15 book series. Rachel Caine was also the first author I met when I went to a book signing of hers and she was so lovely and I have such fond memories of it.

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

This one should be pretty self-explanatory. The Hunger Games is a modern classic and, even though it was published almost two decades ago, it still manages to be incredibly relevant to our world today.

Soulmates - Holly Bourne

I absolutely love fantasy books but romance and contemporary hold a special place in my heart and this was the first romance that I remember really affecting. The end is so devastating and I remember re-reading this book every year, putting on The Power of Love by Gabrielle Aplin, and letting myself have a good cry.

Undone - Cat Clarke

This is quite a heavy and dark book but I absolutely loved it and re-read it on a yearly basis. It's got some heavy themes and is full of revenge and deceit and devastation and it really spoke to me during my emo phases as a kid.

The Covenant series - Jennifer L. Armentrout

It's no secret that I absolutely love Greek mythology and this series fostered that love so well. I genuinely think that Alex has some of the best character development ever - her journey from book one to book five is insane and she's such an inspiring character.

The DUFF - Kody Keplinger

The move is good but the book is SO much better (as is often the case). This book is so funny and charming and it's always stuck with me. I will re-read it when I need an easy read and a good laugh.

Scythe - Neal Shusterman

I don't read too much dystopian but this is such a solid choice and it stayed in my head long after I finished reading it. I also considered putting Dry by Neal Shusterman on this list as well because that book is incredible and scarily realistic.

Ignite Me - Tahereh Mafi

Was there anyone who wasn't obsessing over the Shatter Me series when it came out? Honestly, I try and pretend the latter three books in the series don't exist because I think the original trilogy is perfect and where the story should have stopped. And Ignite Me is the best book in the series because... Aaron Warner. Duh.

The Lunar Chronicles - Marissa Meyer

Sci-fi is another genre I don't tend to lean towards but this series is so cool and I love the twist on classic fairytales. I remember saving all of the fan art for this series as a teen and I got a little obsessed with all the characters, particularly Cress and Thorne.

Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo

No one does found family as well as Leigh Bardugo. The Crows are so easy to fall in love with them but my favourite part of these characters is that they're all so flawed and raw and real. This book is total perfection and I will accept absolutely no hate on it.

Anxious People - Fredrick Backman

This is one of my favourite books of all-time. It's not my usual genre but it's poignant and poetic and heart-warming and hilarious and I think everyone should pick it up.

The Deal - Elle Kennedy

I love ice hockey. I love romance. I seriously love ice hockey romance and The Deal is a classic in this genre. I don't think anyone could ever beat Garrett Graham, to be honest. He's the standard.

The Poppy War trilogy - R. F. Kuang

Of course I was going to include my favourite series of all time in this list!! I cannot stress enough how much I love this series. I read it back in 2022 and I've thought about it every single day since. No exaggeration, this series is my roman empire. It has a staggering list of trigger warnings that need to be considered before you jump into this story but it's such a perfectly crafted world and series.

Six Crimson Cranes - Elizabeth Lim

I have read quite a few Elizabeth Lim books now but my mind always goes back to Six Crimson Cranes. I think Shiori is such a strong and empowering main character and I fell in love with this world instantly.

We Hunt the Flame - Hafsah Faizal

This duology is just perfection. The plot twists, the world, the slow burn romance...I'm going to lose count of how many times I re-read this books but I can't get enough.

A Dowry of Blood - S.T. Gibson

I read this book in one sitting, it was so captivating. Vampires can sometimes be seen as a trend that has long been over and outdated but this book is proof that vampires are still cool! There are always to make a trope or a genre or creature new and interesting in your own unique way which is so reassuring as a writer and opens up a whole realm of possibilities.

The Hurricane Wars - Thea Guanzon

I love romantasy and I love enemies to lovers. Have I not made that clear yet? The Hurricane Wars is such a perfect example of this genre and this trope, in my opinion. There's no insta-love, there's no 'well, are they even enemies?' - it's pure slow burn and hatred and conflict which is *chefs' kiss*

The Knight and the Moth - Rachel Gillig

I discovered Rachel Gillig's books last year and she instantly became an instant-buy author for me. I love the gothic and dark feel to her books and I can't wait to continue her works.

Jade War - Fonda Lee

This trilogy has been one of my more recent favourites that I know will stick with me for a long time. I got very invested very quickly and this story had my jaw on the floor many times.

Katabasis - R. F. Kuang

R. F. Kuang can do no wrong. I'm not even a massive fan of dark academia, it's not a genre I tend to reach for. But I will reach for every single R. F. Kuang book with no hesitation, no matter the genre. Every time I finish an R. F. Kuang book, I feel like I've suddenly become ten times smarter and I appreciate that.