Today’s Top 5 Wednesday topic is 5 books you wish you had read earlier on in your life. Actually, it’s Thursday as I’m writing this, but we’re going to pretend that never happened. Let’s get into it!





Quiet by Susan Cain
I read this book while in university, during my master’s year. I was having a hard time, for reasons I didn’t really understand. I just didn’t feel good, like I didn’t want to be there anymore. Quiet helped me understand myself better. I hadn’t realized what it meant to be an introvert, or what that truly entailed. This book was so reassuring to me, and I am so grateful I read it. I only wish I had done it sooner, so I would’ve known that not wanting to go to clubs/big parties often didn’t make me boring or lame.
Radio Silence by Alice Oseman
I wish this book would have been there for me when I was finishing high school. Unfortunately, it wasn’t even published then because Alice Oseman is really young as well. I think the conversation this book sparks on education and how not everyone has to go to university would have been beneficial to me. I might have considered alternate paths than the one I took.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
I wish I had read this sooner simply because it’s one of my all-time favorite books, and I wish I could have discovered it earlier so I could have spent even more years screaming about it. It’s such a beautiful story, and I cry every single time.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
I only just read this book. I know I should have read it last year, when it came out, but I somehow never got around to it. That’s no excuse, I’m aware. But I listened to the audiobook of it while walking around and discovering Seoul, and my mind was blown. It was honestly so fantastic.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
If you’re surprised I put a classic on this list, don’t worry, so am I. It’s no secret that I’m not a huge fan of classics. The reason for that, however, is that I hated the first few classics I read. Don’t even get me started on The Great Gatsby, because it triggers my rage every single time. I didn’t read any classics for quite a while after that one. I wish I would have read Jane Eyre first, so I knew that there are classics out there that I really enjoy. I’m hoping to discover more soon.
I really need to reat THUG this year too. Hopefully this fall.
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I wish I read TSOA when it was first released too, because I ended up putting it off for too long because of the monstrous hype…
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When I read it, I hadn’t seen any hype at all… I had never even heard of it before! I read it at the start of 2015. Still, I was I had read it earlier because it was released in 2011! I get that, though. The hype puts me off some books as well
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I’ve heard great things about The Hate U Give. I might not have the opportunity to read it, but I’m very looking forward to seeing the movie. Great post!
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I can’t wait either! I actually can’t remember when the release date is…
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I’m so glad to see your thoughts on Quiet! I’ve had it on my list for awhile even though I know it would be really beneficial to read! Great list!
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Thank you! I hope you’ll find it just as helpful and interesting as I did.
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Quiet is such an interesting book. It totally changed the way I viewed myself, my family and the world in general. I never would have read it. (Someone in my book club picked it.) Another reason I’m so grateful to my book club! They’re always picking books that expand my mind! Love The Hate You Give too. Oh and Jane Eyre. So wonderful!! At least you finally read them, even if you wished it had been earlier!
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That’s a huge advantage of book clubs! That’s true 😀
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I have Quiet sitting on my bookshelf unread. Right now I’m trying to get around to other books I’ve left too long and you’ve reminded me of this one. Thanks! 🙂
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You’re welcome! I hope you’ll enjoy it 😀
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I love THUG! It’s such an important and educational novel. Great post😊
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Couldn’t agree more! Thanks!
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