Books are so much more to us than just words on a page. I’m sure all bookworms have their all-time favourite books which are special to them in their own way, so today I want to talk about a few of my favourites and why they mean so much to me!

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

I’ve read this book 3 times and it is by far one of my favourites. I absolutely adore the film adaptation too – which is also one of my favourite films. But the reason I love this book so much is because it spoke to me about exactly how I was feeling when I didn’t really know what to feel. It kind of, in a weird way, made me realise that everything was going to be okay. I remember reading this book for the first time in 2012; I’d just quit my college course and my volunteer placement in a school because my anxiety was so bad I couldn’t handle it and it was making me ill. I didn’t have a job, or a hobby (this was way before book blogging!) or a plan and I felt completely and utterly lost. I got in the bath one day with this book, eager to start it and the line on page 1, “I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I’m still trying to figure out how that could be” spoke out to me like nothing ever has before. I was happy that I’d quit my course which I wasn’t enjoying but I was sad that I was now back to square one. I didn’t know how to feel and it was like that line had been written for me.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief is one of the most beautiful, heart-wrenching and devastating books I have ever read. I’ve read it twice and again, own the film adaptation which is now one of my favourites too. For me, it was one of those books that you literally couldn’t believe an author, a normal person, had strung those sentences together to create such a outstanding piece of art (because that’s what literature is, isn’t it? Art). Whenever I’ve read The Book Thief I’ve taken so long on every paragraph, every sentence, every word to try and breathe every aspect of the book in. The Book Thief summed up for me the intense power of books and words on the human soul. How incredibly meaningful and essential they are to life. It made me appreciate books and writing and words more than I ever have done before and as cliché as this sounds, I honestly don’t think I’ve looked at books in the same way since. I don’t think words could ever do justice to this book, which is ironic, considering that’s what the entire book is about.

Looing for Alaksa by John Green

I read The Fault in Our Stars as my first John Green book and loved it; it’s an incredible book but when I got my hands on Looking for Alaska, I could see and appreciate the extent of John Green’s talent, immensely unique and intense talent for writing and particularly, creating characters. Alaska is one of my all-time favourite heroines; although I can imagine a lot of people disagreeing with that. I love how beautifully messed up she is yet how her friends still massively admire her. I love the mystery that surrounds her and the story that evolves. Alaska, in some weird way, made me want to be more adventurous and care-free and not to worry so much about our insecurities and problems because everyone has them. She also has her “Life’s Library” in her college room; a room so full of books that she always has something to read, which I loved and that in itself encouraged me to buy more books! (Now my bookcase is overflowing!) I also adored the “last words” aspect of the book; Miles, the main character loves memorizing famous peoples last words – which is something you can find in most, if not all, John Green’s stories. Weird little quirks to make his characters memorable and unique.

I would love to know what your all-time favourite book/s are and what they mean to you. I’d love to hear the story behind why it’s your favourite! Let me know in the comments below!