With life passing by so fast, it’s hard to stop and reflect on what makes you — well, you. I’ve had moments where I’ve fallen, cried, and nearly given up. But somewhere in the chaos, there’ve been glimmers — small semblances of hope and happiness. And oddly enough, some of those moments have come from beloved characters and stories. Stories that reached into my lowest points, picked me up, pointed to a door, and said: “Hey, it’s not over. Let’s try again.”
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
What started out as a school assignment for English Literature became one of my most reread — and most cherished — books. Fitzgerald didn’t just capture the glamour of the Roaring Twenties; he captured something deeper. Something I didn’t expect to relate to.
At its core, The Great Gatsby is the story of a selfless stranger seen through the eyes of Nick Carraway, whose narration strips away the illusion of high society to reveal something more fragile beneath. Gatsby might seem like the ultimate party host — charming, magnetic, generous — but there’s a quiet tragedy beneath the surface. He’s haunted by his past, grieving a love he can’t reclaim.
For me, Gatsby represents everything I find compelling in a character: mystery, depth, and contradiction. He’s a reminder that there’s always more to someone than what they show the world. And maybe that’s why his story stuck with me — because sometimes, I see a bit of myself in Gatsby.
And sometimes, I wish I didn’t.
The Art of War by Sun Tzu
This book changed my life in ways I didn’t expect. It’s not the easiest read — half the time it felt like decoding riddles — but something about it stuck. It came into my life right when I was shifting from childhood into something more serious, more focused. I started thinking about discipline, about purpose, about who I was trying to become.
The Art of War helped shape that. It made me see struggle differently — not just something to fear, but something to understand. I began to look at things like fear, doubt, even death, as things I could face head-on. And I wouldn’t say it made things easier, but it gave me a mindset. A way of pushing forward no matter how hard things got.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
In many ways, Mary Shelley captured isolation and indifference in a way that still feels painfully relevant today. The monster’s journey — his desperate desire to fit in, to love, to learn — only to be met with rejection and cruelty — felt like a mirror of my own struggles. There’s something deeply relatable in his pain, his longing for acceptance in a world that doesn’t want him.
Frankenstein speaks to the devastating effects of loneliness and the way society judges before understanding. Shelley’s words transcend time, addressing a flaw in human nature that we still grapple with today: assuming we know someone before we’ve truly seen them. For me, the monster’s journey wasn’t just his — it felt like my own, and perhaps it resonates with anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider. Thank you, Mary Shelley, for showing me that.
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Okay, I promise this list won’t be all classical literature — unless that’s your thing, in which case, you’re welcome. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet speaks to my heart more than my mind. The beauty and depth of their love represents many of our ideas of what true love is, which is probably why this story has been retold in countless ways over the years.
For me, Romeo and Juliet tells a tale of a struggle — a fight for love. Without that struggle, the love wouldn’t feel as special, as significant. And it’s a reminder that when you find someone you truly care about, you’ll fight to hold on to them, to keep their memory close — even when the world or life makes it hard.
But as we all know, life doesn’t always align with love, and sometimes love becomes a journey, an obstacle, or even an opportunity for growth. Look at Romeo, for example, when he takes his life — spoiler alert — in an attempt to “escape” the world that’s standing in the way of his love for Juliet. Shakespeare, why’d you have to break my heart like that?
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Similar to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, The Fault in Our Stars leaves me just as heartbroken, if not more, because of the symbolic nature of the tale. Hazel’s grief and her “giving up on life” attitude — trapped in her own misery and turmoil — leave her waiting for the inevitable, counting down the days until her death.
That is, until Gus shows her an open door to a life she never imagined. It’s that small glimmer of light in the darkness that shifts everything for Hazel. She never expected that moment to define the rest of her life. Gus helps her overcome her doubts, embrace love, and experience a life she never thought possible.
This book took me to some deeply emotional places and left me crying, reflecting on how life — and a person — can change forever in the blink of an eye.
Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
Transitioning to a completely different genre, Game of Thrones left me speechless. While the show is incredible, for me, the true magic lies in the books. I couldn’t put them down. Each page, each new character arc, each unpredictable journey pulled me deeper into the world of Westeros.
This series, masterfully crafted by George R.R. Martin, came into my life at a time when I needed an escape. His words, the intricate plots, and the captivating characters gave me hope. I found myself living alongside them, sharing their struggles, victories, and heartaches.
Game of Thrones became a gentle reminder that there’s a world beyond my own, full of untold stories and unimaginable adventures waiting just ahead.
Forrest Gump by Winston Groom
This one deserves an honorable mention. The movie profoundly impacted and influenced my life in countless ways. So, I decided to seek out the book that inspired this masterpiece. While the two versions tell almost entirely different stories, they both share the same core message: growth, self-compassion, and the importance of moving forward.
Forrest’s inspirational journey continues to motivate me, and his unwavering love for Jenny speaks to my heart. It’s a reminder of the future we all deserve — one filled with hope, perseverance, and the possibility of love, no matter the obstacles.
All of these books represent different facets of who I am. What holds significance for me might not have the same impact on you, but that’s the beauty of stories — they resonate differently with each of us. While this list may seem like a reflection of life’s more somber and tragic moments, for me, it symbolizes the stages I’ve gone through.
With each book, I’ve shared a moment of vulnerability, and my hope is that you’ll explore your own collection of books, media, or trinkets that define who you are, what you’ve experienced, and what brings you joy. Celebrate the happy memories, the heartbreaks, and the losses. But most importantly, take time to reflect on the present — because you are special. You are unique. And whatever books shape you, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. This is your story. So go, pick up some of your favorite reads, and come back to share them with us.
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