Last month, we celebrated Library Card Sign-Up Month with one of our favorite heroes, the Transformer Optimus Prime. So, we asked you which books "transformed" you or had a big impact on your life.
Check out the whole list on our catalog here.
We also wanted to share some of the selections that made us smile:
All About Love by bell hooks
"This book made me realize that love doesn’t have to come from a romantic partner, but that its all around me. I carry love within me and sharing that with the world feels good. Love can be a verb and you can choose to act in a loving way."
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
"Although I started this book 4 times, I had so many “AHA” moments by the time I finished it. The information contained in the book encouraged me in a positive way to look at local wildlife, trees, plants, flowers, etc. from a new perspective."
Building a Non-anxious Life by John Delony
"I am building better friendships and setting up boundaries in my life."
Go, Dog, Go! by P.D. Eastman
"There was so much action to notice in the illustrations, and the storyline was nuanced and entertaining for a beginning reader. It wasn't just a simple linear story."
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
"It got me into a new series."
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
"I read this book over and over as a way to escape into a different world."
Kristy's Great Idea by Ann M. Martin
"This book was the start of years of my childhood spent reading about all the babysitting gigs that a group of middle schoolers got involved in. The Baby-Sitters Club was so empowering, diverse for its time, and educational while being entertaining. I could see myself in a bunch of the characters—Mary Anne, who was shy and studious; Claudia, who was Asian American and creative; Kristy, who disliked wearing dresses and was rather short. They really helped me believe that I could do anything I put my mind to."
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
"I learned the power of forgiveness and mercy."
On Becoming a Person by Carl Rogers
"Humans are inherently good and if someone feels cared for, valued, and respected they can truly be who they are and heal."
Ruby's Wish by Shirin Yim Bridges
"My preschool teacher gave me this book. It was the first time I'd ever read a book about a Chinese main character like me, and I loved that her greatest dream in life was to go to college because I, too, loved school."
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
"I first read this book in 2002, when it was recommended to me by Senior Composition teacher. I remember thinking "oh, this is what WRITING is. This is how a book should make you feel." I was immediately entranced by the story and the characters and it's one of the only books I've reread more than once. To this day, I can recite the first line of the book by heart and the ending still haunts me."
Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas
"This series reignited my love of reading! After having my first child I didn’t make much time for myself but this series hooked me and I couldn’t get enough. Haven’t stopped reading since!"
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
"To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the best-written books I have ever read. The middle of the story seems to drag on and on, but it sets the tone for the story. The pace is slow in the south and the pace of the trial is slow, too. The slow pace frames the story. This was a difficult case for Aticus Finch. He had to be methodical and precise in the courtroom. The slowness allowed me to feel the gravity of the situation and experience it. Lee mentions the heat of the south and the heat of the courtroom. All of the imagery made me feel like a part of the story. Fantastic read! I'll never forget it."
Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden
"I wasn't a strong reader in elementary school and didn't read much by middle school. I remember visiting the public library and a librarian recommending this series to me and it was the first series that I remember really getting into. The series is based in Australia and learning Australian slang made me feel like a very cool 8th grader (living in rural Illinois). That librarian and this series definitely sparked the start of my lifelong love of reading!"
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
"You can love someone who has flaws."
Find even more books that transformed you on our catalog!