Life changing book you read as a teen

[Anonymous]

I love this thread. So many memories!

[Anonymous]

Mists of Avalon

[Anonymous]

The Fountainhead... but not in the way you think.

[Anonymous]

I am from Europe and a woman so it won't be helpful, but for me a turning point was Anna Karenina and Crime and Punishment. Yes, I was a huge nerd, and read it in 8th grade. As for advice, for my DS Holes and Hatchet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Fountainhead... but not in the way you think.

Sorry anything Ayn Rand deserves an

Kerouac is a snooze fest and Catcher in the Rye is one of the most over-rated books ever.

OP, if your teen hasn't developed a love of reading, he probably won't at this point. I'd take him to the closest comic book store and let him pick out some graphic novels for the summer. (Many very under-rated in terms of their literary value.) Take him to some plays. There are great playwrights not just great novelists. Rent Hitchcock movies and have him learn about great story telling. Take him to some concerts and learn to appreciate musical expression.

[Anonymous]

Way of the Peaceful Warrior: I had to read this as a collage freshman. Loved it.

Lame Deer, Seeker of Visions: read as a collage junior. Changed how I view everything.

[Anonymous]

I credit Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry as changing my entire worldview. I still have my original copy I read when I was eight. I've read it many times since and recommend to every preteen.

[Anonymous]

C'mon how about The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Fountainhead... but not in the way you think.

Sorry anything Ayn Rand deserves an

Kerouac is a snooze fest and Catcher in the Rye is one of the most over-rated books ever.

OP, if your teen hasn't developed a love of reading, he probably won't at this point. I'd take him to the closest comic book store and let him pick out some graphic novels for the summer. (Many very under-rated in terms of their literary value.) Take him to some plays. There are great playwrights not just great novelists. Rent Hitchcock movies and have him learn about great story telling. Take him to some concerts and learn to appreciate musical expression.

Not PP, but I disgree with you about Fountainhead. I loved that book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 6th grade teacher had us read Izzy Willy Nilly by Cynthia Voight. Girl loses her leg in some drunk driving incident, her life changes, etc...

Kind of controversial and likely wouldn't be allowed today but I felt it made a pretty strong impression about how small decisions can be huge, and the cusp of middle school is a good time to get this.

I read that book too (not for school). Completely forgot until just now.

[Anonymous]

Native Son

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Go Ask Alice

+1

+2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Bell Jar

I'll second I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, and all its sequels.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

I'll add on to my post To Kill a Mockingbird.

The Bell Jar dominated much of my adolescence. We read it in school as part of our curriculum; would they ever do that now. Also, The Great Gatsby and Woolf's A Room of One's Own.

[Anonymous]

If he's not into fiction, what about nonfiction. My teen loves travel books. What about Bill Bryson?

[Anonymous]

Flowers in the Attic