A while ago, there was a meme going around on Facebook asking folks to list 10 books that have touched or changed them in some way, without thinking about it. Just spit them out. This was my list.
1. Clive Barker’s Books of Blood
2. Slowly, Slowly in the Wind by Patricia Highsmith
3. Carrie by Stephen King
I learned to love horror through books before movies, and the monsters in my head were way scarier than the ones on the screen. And I loved it. I lived for the goosebumps and shadows that jumped up and kept me from sleeping peacefully. Clive, Patricia, and Stephen all helped me recognize my love for the thrill and the creepy and the macabre.
4. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
I had never cried so hard like I did for that little girl in Bridge to Terabithia. Or for her best friend who was left behind. I was so invested in that friendship, that innocent, beautiful, true friendship, and Leslie just…died. And Jesse was left behind with his guilt, without Leslie. It was all too much. I sort of think this book made me feel human.
5. Stranger with my Face by Lois Duncan
6. Deenie by Judy Blume
I LIVED for these teen books. For a time, all I wanted to read were books by Judy Blume and Lois Duncan. I wanted to meet the girls in these books, be their friend, share secrets, and trade advice. I can still read these books today and feel all those things.
7. How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accent by Julia Alvarez
Julia Alvarez was the first Dominican woman whose books I read, and they floored me, including the Garcia Girls. Her family was very different from mine, but it was still great work by a Dominican woman. I’m still in awe of her.
8. Punishment of a Vixen by Barbara Cartland
My mom had a few romance novels in the house and I read them all. Barbara Cartland was my favorite romance author, and this book in particular has always stayed with me. Perhaps because I consider myself a vixen in need of taming. Or maybe I’m just reaching. I make no apologies.
9. Little Bee by Chris Clive
I forgot how I came to read this book, but MY GOD it left me wanting so much more. I had never read a book with female protagonists, written by a man, that was so believable.
10. By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept by Paulo Coelho
There are periods of times when I feel like I’m losing my Spanish. The bulk of my day is spent with non-Spanish-speaking people, and the English gets aggressive and takes over. During those times I like to read something in my native tongue. This was the first book I ever read in Spanish. It took me SO LONG to get through it, but damn I was proud of myself when I did!
I’d love a peek at some of your 10 books—leave a few in the comments!
xoxo
Raquel Ivelisse