12 People Discuss The Books That Saved Their Lives

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When I was growing up the world of reading was my everything. It was my escape, my safe place, a spot for me I could turn to when everything in life was becoming too much. There are so many books I’ve read that have saved my life in different ways, whether it was the timing they came into my life, or the way they made me feel less alone. A couple weeks ago I asked a group of people what books saved their lives. This is what they told me.

1.

“Every Judy Blume book ever. She made me feel as a little girl that the things I was dealing with and going through were normal. No one else explained life the way Judy did to me. If it wasn’t for her I’m not sure how I would have survived those awful middle school years.” – Rebecca

2.

“The Perks Of Being A Wallflower. I remember reading that when I was in 9th grade and for the first time in my life I didn’t feel so alone anymore. The style of writing and voice struck a chord with me.” – Daniel

3.

“The Harry Potter series, hands down. I grew up with those books, as so many people did, and for me it gave me an outlet to escape into this magical world where I could get away from my household where my parents were always fighting and arguing about things. I still re-read those books when I want to have a safe haven to retreat to when life gets me down.” – Patrick

4.

“I think To Kill A Mockingbird is the book that saved me. I had to read it in 10th grade English and it was the first time I read anything that really connected with me. It opened up this whole new world for me and before then I hadn’t ever been into reading.” – Christian

5.

Bridge to Terabithia. I lost my childhood best friend right before I read this book for the first time and it helped me through the grieving process. Every time I read this book again, even as an adult, it makes me cry. It still remains one of the most special books to me.” – Kerry

6.

“I don’t care if this is cliche but the two books that changed my life were The Catcher In The Rye and The Bell Jar. Both main characters in those books were so similar to the angsty asshole I was as a teenager.” – Lucy

7.

Where the Red Fern Grows! Oh my goodness, that book made me cry so hard at the end. I think that was the first time a book had really moved me. I was 8 years old and had just gotten my first puppy from my parents and that book strengthened the bond between me and my childhood dog. – Jenna

8.

Dune. That book was everything for me.” – Kyle

9.

“My brother has autism and growing up we just never really connected. Then one day I started reading The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy out loud and something about that book clicked with him. After that we became closer. Not sure if it was just that particular book that did it or what but I’m grateful to have something to share with my brother.” – Terry

10.

“I don’t know if any books ‘saved’ my life necessarily but I remember the first set of books that made an impact with me were the Anne of Green Gables books. I loved reading those with my grandparents as a kid.” – Kelly

11.

The Babysitter’s Club Little Sister books. The main character Karen had parents who were divorced and she would talk about how she felt like she had 2 lives. My parents were splitting up and by reading Karen’s stories I felt like I had a friend who were going through something similar.” – Megan

12.

Charlotte’s Web was always one of my main favorites. My grandma bought me that book for Easter one year and that book would go on to change my life and open up the door for me and my grandma to connect with our shared love for reading.” – Kris