This is a response to 8 Books That Will Help You Think Deeper And See Clearer.

It's no mistake that books mean a lot to different people all over the world. Books shape us, help us escape and teach us new things.

Books have been a big part of my life, and I am not afraid to admit that.

Why were people shamed in their younger years for being bookworms? I will never know.

It all really started for me when I'd got home from the cinema all the way back in 2005 after seeing The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

At the age of seven, this movie and everything it stood for completely captivated me. I fell in love with the magical land of Narnia at aged 7 (now, 24) and I still am to this day.

So, I found an old copy that my grandmother owned of The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis and began to read it. It was the first novel I ever read from cover to cover and am convinced this was the book that shaped my love for the English language and storytelling.

So, Narnia has a lot to answer for! But I couldn't be more grateful if I tried.

I then read all of the books in the Narnia series, and they are still very important to me. They are arguably my most favourite series (chronicles?) of books to exist. They're just so magical and bring me an immense amount of joy.

As I got into my teens - another series caught my eye. This was The Maze Runner series. I was an avid fan of Dylan O'Brien and when I discovered he would be in the movies, I purchased the books. I do not regret it. These stories and characters were just so captivating.

The Scorch Trials was my favourite out of the series until the prequel, The Kill Order was released in 2016.

Most recently, I read One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus. This mystery was such a great book, I quite literally could not put it down.

This is now a popular Netflix series, and I hope it gets renewed for a third season. But for the meantime, I look forward to reading the next book in the series when I get to it.

At the moment, I am reading Waxing On: The Karate Kid & Me by actor, now author Ralph Macchio. I started it today after receiving it as a gift off my grandmother for Christmas. I am four chapters in and I just cannot put it down. It is so insightful and a definite must-read for fans of Ralph Macchio and The Karate Kid.

All I'm saying is - I like all kinds of books. From mystery, to fantasy to biographies. As long as something interests me - I will read it.

But the books of my younger years will always hold a special place in my heart, no matter how much genre swapping I do as I get older. The books that defined me and helped me grow because of their wonderful characters, stories and messages will always stay with me.

Reading is a powerful tool for good - especially in today's world.