Eleven Books That Raised Me

Heidi

Like many of the books on this list, I do not remember specifically when I read it for the first time. However, I do remember that I re-read it multiple times afterward.

This sweet story about an optimistic young girl who is taken in by her grumpy uncle, set the stage for me to love books like Pride and Prejudice and Anne of Green Gables later in life.

I am a sucker for a grump who is actually a softie, and I resonate with bright and cheerful female leads.

Beatrix Potter

I have always loved cute little animals.

Beatrix Potter's stories of Peter Rabbit and numerous other little animals and their adventures, are a very early memory. As is clearly shown by the state of the book pictured, these little stories were staples in my upbringing. They were read aloud to me before I could read.

My favorite was the story of Thomasina Tittlemouse, because I loved her clean little house and domesticity. Frankly, I still aspire to that level of simplicity in life!

Ella Enchanted

I would characterize this book as my first modern "chapter book." And I remember distinctly being horrified by the movie adaptation. "It was all wrong!"

Ella Enchanted is such a lovely little fairy-tale that is thoroughly unique. It sated my love of fantasy with something more modern than Lord of the Rings and Narnia (see below). For ages Gail Carson Levine was my favorite author.

She also wrote another favorite that didn't make it into this list: The Two Princesses of Bamarre.

Roxaboxen

A true childrens picture book, this one has been in my life ever since I can remember.

As early as I could read without help, I remember reading this one to myself-- preparing myself for hours of curling up with a good book later in life!

This sweet story is chock-full of nostalgia and imagination. I remember attempting to build my own Roxaboxen and being sorely disappointed.

This story definitely contributed to my taste for the bittersweetness of nostalgia and growing up.

The Wind In The Willows

More little animals! And so much coziness!

I was first introduced to The Wind in the Willows when my mom read it aloud to us.

I honestly only have vague recollections of the story itself, but I fondly remember the images these stories conjured up in my mind.

Images of green rolling English hills, picnics by the river, living slowly and simply, and friendship and good food. I adore and value all of these things still!

The Chronicles of Narnia

What Christian homeschool girl DIDN'T grow up with these books? But really, upbringing aside, these are classics for a reason.

The Chronicles of Narnia were my first introduction to fantasy (to my knowledge), so to C.S. Lewis I owe thanks for that enduring love.

These books are so ingrained into everything I am that I hardly know what else to say about them! But I will say this: I have very high expectations for Greta Gerwigs upcoming adaptation.

Nancy Drew

I have always loved a good mystery! For someone who leans toward "cozy" books and classics, I also enjoy being gently spooked. As a kid and teenager, Nancy Drew was perfect.

I wanted to be Nancy! She is such a perfectly flat character, so she is perfect for inserting yourself into the story in her shoes.

One of my favorites, that I read and re-read, was The Secret of Red Gate Farm. I was also a stickler for only reading the classic Nancy Drew mysteries, as opposed to the modern ones.

The Secret Garden

Another early "chapter book." I don't remember the first time I read this, but I remember re-reading it.

A sweetly tragic story of an orphan taken in by her mysterious uncle, her discovery of a secret garden, and her journey from spoiled brat to the kindhearted soul who brings a family together.

Now, in my adulthood, I love to garden, and I love flowers, and I still imagine (or wish) that birds are somehow speaking to me. I am glad this book taught me to never let go of childhood magic.

A Series Of Unfortunate Events

While the rest of my friends were reading Harry Potter and Twilight (neither of which I was allowed to read), I was reading (and obsessing over) Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events.

Such unique novels full of angst and nihilism, yet also full of whimsy and unfailing hope. These stories certainly influenced my need for a little darkness to be mixed in with the lightness that I lean towards in the books that I read. Also, as a kid, my bestie and I made our own board game inspired by these books.

Just-So Stories

More animals, but this time, not so little.

So many quotes and poems from Rudyard Kipling's Just-So Stories are still an integral part of my family's vernacular to this day.

Whimsical magic, lots and lots of animals, and an air of mythology provide the perfect blend of silliness, thoughtfulness, and fantasy to these stories.

Among my favorites were The Cat That Walks By Himself, and How The Camel Got His Hump.

Lord of the Rings

While I didn't read this one for myself until I was a much older teen, my mother read these books aloud to my siblings and I many times growing up.

And I absolutely fell in love.

Eowyn was my idol, and either Faramir or Aragorn (depending on the day) was my crush; and this was well before I saw any of the movies! What can I say, I love a rugged softie!

I have since read these books through again as an adult. They are still some of my favorites.