There so many books I’ve read that I hold dearly in my heart and mind, but only a few have managed to change how I saw the world around me. here are my top 5:

1. “The book thief" by Marcus Zusak:

This was one of the first books I read and which have magnified my love of words and reading. A story about a little bookworm whose life has been completely changed by words, it is in itself a teller of how words can be powerful enough to make you feel, react and be utterly surprised. It was one of those books that required looking at the ceiling for about 30 min after finishing it trying to grasp its beauty. It certainly makes you think and I’d highly recommend it.

2. “The Fault In Our Stars” by John Green:

Before reading this book, I used to be one of those people that pressured themselves into becoming someone important enough to be loved widely and remembered. This book reminded me how I was blinded by quantity over quality. Sometimes the things that should matter to us are taken for granted and we only realize that when it’s too late.

3. “Divergent” by Veronica Roth:

Aside from the view that you can be more than one thing, this series always gets me in touch with my wild side. I always admired the dauntless faction for their bravery, which I started employing in my own life. I am so far from being adventurous, brave or risk-taking, but every time I read this series, I feel like I can be/do so much more than I allow myself.

4. “The Sheltering Sky” by Paul Bowles:

This book showed me that the search for purity will always leave you empty handed. Throughout the book, I felt like this aspect of “the grass is always greener on the other side”, is nothing but a source of pain and discontent. Also, finding yourself doesn’t always mean you have to go away, though sometimes it can be helpful.

5. “The scarlet letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne:

Along the line of the search for purity, this book reminded me that we are faulty by nature. I have quite the active conscience which makes me feel bad about the most frivolous things and it is not always good. It reminded me that none of us can claim absolute piety and even those who are judged as so tend to have some skeletons in their closets. Working on the improvement of oneself is always a good thing, but feeling guilty about who you are because you’re not “pure” isn't.