It’s TTT time! As usual, if you’re curious about this, Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl hosts these weekly challenges (so, see her blog for more info). Today’s prompt takes us back to our younger selves. What books would I recommend to little Juli? Just for reference, I am still little, aka short, but much older 😉 This question actually fits well with a personal quest I am on, which entails reading books kids in the USA read growing up. I did pull a lot from that list when compiling today’s TTT. But I also added a few more recent books. I refuse to consider whether or not a book I recommend here was published while I was young. I am just going to imagine myself time-traveling back to young Juli and bring those books along. As you’ll see my list is also far longer than 10 books. I read all the following books as an adult but wish I would’ve done so much earlier. These are in no particular order and are not an exclusive list. Their titles are linked to Goodreads.
Books that would’ve made me feel seen. I spent my most formative years living with just my dad and younger sister. My grandma was a sort of surrogate mom. Both, my dad and her, were super open and for the most part tried to make me feel heard. But, you know how it goes, teenagers are notoriously secretive and difficult and I was no exception. I often felt like I had no one to ask the hard questions. I selected these books because in one form or another I found myself in them.
The Princess Saves Herself in that One
Books that would’ve given me magic, warmth, and wonder. I have always been a ferocious reader and definitely used books as an escape from reality. When I read the following books I felt like a kid again and I can only imagine how I would’ve loved them as my younger self.
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Books that would’v been perfect for my broody teenage angst. Who hasn’t been there? I seriously channeled my inner teenage asshole into watching every horror or Gothic film I could get my hands on. Why I didn’t actively expand that to dark and eerie literature is beyond me. Anyway, I think the following novels and short stories would’ve blown my mind back then.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
Books that would’ve broadened my horizon. I was kind of a German-literature snob with the occasional excursion to authors of adjacent countries. I mean I don’t regret reading Schiller, Fontane, Goethe, Böll, Kästner, and Rilke except that because of that I discovered own-voices literature way too late. I mean even the female voice wasn’t very loud in my youth. So, I wish I would’ve explored more and read books such as the ones below.
Link me to your TTTs so I can check out what you’re recommending to your younger self. Does a book I listed resonated with you? Why? Or why not?
ICH LESE 
The Poet X was on my list, too! And, yes, being seen is so important for readers of all ages…but especially young ones.
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This is great! The Poet X and I’ll Give You the Sun are also on my list. The Princess Saves Herself in This One is a great choice- very empowering!
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Thank you.
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I love that you included categories of why you would have liked to read these books earlier. A Wrinkle In Time is one that I did read at the target age, and I loved it. It really did fit as both an escape and an inspiration for me.
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I think that’s definitely one of those books I feel like I totally missed out not reading earlier.
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I think it’s a good book to read whenever, but that it definitely made the most impact on me since I read it when I was youjng.
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Stunning list! I’ve actually read some and a few are on my to-read list. Others I’m off to learn more about 🙂 Happy reading!
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Thank you so much for stopping by.
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I read that Scary Stories one as a kid and I liked it then. More than I would if I read it now, so I’m glad I read it then. Great list!
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Whenever I read a book intended for a younger audience, I try to put myself in the mindset of that age. It doesn’t always work but most often it does.
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Yep! I do that too.
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Good list. Wrinkle in Time was written for my generation but I woudln’t touch it back then. I’m still not a sci fi reader, but I did come to read and LOVE Wrinkle and it’s sequel as well as others of her books.
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I think I would’ve eaten that book up at that age. It has the perfect mix of sci-fi and magic.
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I love your idea of reading books kids grew up with in the US, what a fun thing to do! Anne of Green Gables seems to have been a formative read for lots of people in the blogging community, I’ve noticed, and while I’ve never Mockingbird I know people who love it!
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I love the way you’ve curated this list! It’s kind of a tradition in my house to watch Little Women (the one with Winona Ryder) every Easter, but I haven’t read the book yet. I think little me would enjoy it too. As a formerly angsty teen who was obsessed with the Phantom of the Opera for quite some time (still am to be honest), I’m sure you would’ve enjoyed it.
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I totally listened to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s version of The Phantom of the Opera all the time as a teen. I was completely ignorant to it being a book until much later.
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I love that you gave different books for different groups of reasoning. I love that! I honestly don’t know if my teenage angsty self would have wanted any books from current days, only because I feel like I haven’t been reading many angsty books! Although I should 😀 Great list!
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I didn’t read angsty books as a teen really, but since then I have, and every time I do I think I would’ve enjoyed that so much more as an angsty teen.
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