ionR: Which Book Left the Biggest Impact on You?

Posted April 21st, 2018 by in Blog, Features, ionR / 32 comments

ionRomance: 

 

Which Book Left the Biggest Impact on You?

Hi everyone! My name is Cathy (@cathyrambles01 on the Twittersphere) and I am SO incredibly happy to be able to share my love of romance with you all! Thank you to Sara for creating a space for us all to chat about our love for love stories!
 
Today I wanted to talk about that book. You know, the one that left such a profound impact that it’s always there, in the back of your mind, influencing the way you see and interact with the world around you. The book that will forever hold a place in your heart and on your beloved book shelf.
 
I grew up in the romance genre. During my YA days in middle school and high school I always gravitated towards the novels that had the biggest romantic element. Why? Because they taught me not only how to love but how to let myself be loved. They taught me how to love myself and share that love with others. There’s just something about a story that sweeps us off our feet and shows us the power of our hearts that will always resonate the most with us and leave the biggest impact.
 
My senior year in high school, when everything was confusing and unknown, I discovered the NA genre. It was just beginning to take off and I was lucky enough to have numourous books that featured young women as the main protagonist. Young women facing the same unknown as me. Students leaving home for the first time and discovering independence while falling in love. I connected with these characters and felt empowered. I faced college and the unknown future with optimisim, courage, and my favorite books.
 
However, my junior year in college was a rough one. We all stumble and fall sometimes. Life was pretty hectic and I had no time to read. There were a few obstacles that I just couldn’t get passed. One day I stumbled upon a book review of Wild Reckless by Ginger Scott. The review was absolutely glowing and I thought “I need a distraction. I need something to pick me up, just for the few moments I can read.” So I grabbed a copy and read…and read…and kept reading until I finished the book. Tears were streaming down my face and suddenly I felt empowered again.
 
For those who haven’t read Wild Reckless I’ll give a short one sentance summary. It’s a story about tragedy, redemption, and the healing power of love and self-love. I’m a firm believer that the books we read have the power to change us, heal us, encourage us, and empower us. Each book we read teaches us something new and we carry these lessons with us throughout life. Wild Reckless was the book that gave me that extra bit of strength to push passed the remanining obstacles that once seemed impossible. It gave me the laughs and smiles I needed, the rush of butterflies every time a swoon-worthy moment happened, and through the main characters defeating their own obstacles it gave me the wonderful reminder of my own strength. Wild Reckless will always hold a special place in my heart and on my beloved book shelf.
 
There’s a quote by J.K. Rowling that perfectly sums up the feeling we get when we’ve read a book that’s given us the power to live more beautifuly and more couragesly:

“I don’t believe in the kind of magic in my books. But I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book.”

I’m so lucky to have discovered romance novels because, lets be honest, they are the books that let us dwell in the magic of love. They encourage empathy and compassion. I like to say I grew up in the romance genre because ever since I can remember, these were the books that I gravitated towards and these were the books that lifted me up when I needed it and taught me the most about the strength of love. With every book I read, I grow a little more. Wild Reckless, for me, was a culmination of all of these things and left a profound impact that I will always be grateful for.
 
 

So, my question for you, what is your book? Which book left the biggest impact on you? The book you always catch yourself thinking about every once in a while.

 

Cathy

Connect: Twitter
 
 
 

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32 Responses to “ionR: Which Book Left the Biggest Impact on You?”

  1. thepturnersbookblog

    I have a couple of books that changed my world. Both from very different genres.

    THE WIRE IN THE BLOOD by Val McDermid is a crime fiction novel and was my first ‘adult’ book back when I was 14/15… been obsessed with crime fiction since!

    But then… back in 2011, FIFTY SHADES happened and that changed my entire world as I then found a new love for contemporary romance novels.

    I find it incredible that a single book can literally change your life! 🙂

    Great post!! x

    • Cathy

      Hi! The Wire In The Blood sounds amazing! I will definitely have to check it out! I love those books we discovered when we were younger because opening them back up is so nostalgic and its like returning home!

      Yes fifty! The gate opener to the world of romance for many! Thank you for sharing!

      –Cathy

  2. Bec (@BookMagicReview)

    I’d have to say Racing Hearts by Melissa West. It’s about a hero horse trainer helping a female jockey that is determined to get back to riding after a serious race fall. I grew up part of the horse racing industry and saw a few race falls and Ms. West does a brilliant job with her descriptions and brings a wonderful amount of emotion to the story. It’s also a story I love to re-read.

    • Cathy

      Hi Bec! I really have to check this one out. I live out in the countryside where learning to ride a horse is essential, just like learning how to drive. I’ve always admired my friends who were in the horse racing industry because it takes a lot of courage, skill, and hardwork. I love that this a book that does a good job of portraying that industry! Thanks for this recomendation!

  3. Tonya Lucas

    HIS PERFECT IMPERFECTION BY NATASZA WATERS.
    All I can say is go get this book and read it. Wow, the power of love, knows no boundaries. Very few books and I mean, very few, have moved me the way this one did. It’s a must read for EVERYONE, man or woman.
    We’ve all been shunned for something at one time or another, whether it was our own doing or the hands of fate. We are all beautiful in our own way. Beauty lies within all Of us, although the world sees beauty through rose colored glasses 90% of the time, unfortunately.
    Cain and Mika’s love story is so powerful, you will never again take a person’s soul, personality, or inter-beauty for granted.
    Just grab this one and be prepared to be amazed. Natasza Waters And His Perfect Imperfection has just changed me forever.
    One amazingly written book that should be shared with everyone.

    • Stephanie Jenkins Ortiz Cerrillo

      I need this book in my life. It’s been on my to read list for a long time but I forget to seek it out!

      • Tonya Lucas

        Stephanie I’ll try and get it for your collection. Yep everyone needs to read it.

    • Cathy

      Hi Tonya! OH MY GOODNESS yes I am buying this asap! Especially in today’s world where we constantly see ads telling us to “buy this and that to look like this” it can be hard to turn away from these things and remember what really makes us beautiful. I love finding gems like this, the books that move us and remind us how beautiful we all are in our own ways.

      “Cain and Mika’s love story is so powerful, you will never again take a person’s soul, personality, or inter-beauty for granted.” This is so beautiful. I can’t wait to read this, thank you so much for sharing.

      • Tonya Lucas

        I’m so happy you want to read this,, it’s very moving & powerful book.

  4. Dale Stewart

    Mine is Summer Storm by Catherine Hart. In this powerful love story Summer Storm is promised to an Indian brave and does not want to go because she thinks she loves another, but her parents make her go. I don’t want to give the book away so I’ll just say it is chocked full of a powerful love that will make you long for one yourself. Heartache that you feel deep inside your own heart. And joy that will make you feel happy and filled will love.

    I read this book for the first time way back in the late 1990’s and instantly fell in love. I can tell you I have never cried as hard while reading a book as I did with this book. I’ve read it time and again and will never part with it. This is my all time favorite.

    • Cathy

      This is going to the top of my TBR pile. I love those love stories: the ones that sweep you off your feet, enrapture you, and never let go. That’s the sign of the greatest of love stories. Thank you for sharing this, I can’t wait to read it.

  5. Stephanie Jenkins Ortiz Cerrillo

    I’m unfortunately a very late bloomer to the wonderful world of reading. I need your list of books that need to be read because I have 14 and 21 year old girls. I’m single and fixing to turn 50 is it too late for me to benefit from these books? I obviously haven’t learned from my past relationship mistakes and haven’t given my girls very good examples of relationships. I don’t really have a book to add to your blog other than the book I just read, Ruth: The Rescued Bride (A West Texas Frontier Trilogy Book 1). This book blew me away. It’s a short quick read with a sweet romance and a book all Christians should read and think about forgiveness of others and of ourselves and how being able to do so or not doing so affects all oyr relationships. I highly recommend this short book.

    • Cathy

      Hi Stephanie, thank you so much for sharing. It’s definitely not to late to benefit from either young adult or new adults books. I think every good book, no matter the age of characters, has an inspiring message for all of us. As a Christian myself, thank you for recommending Ruth: The Rescued Bride. I can’t wait to read it.

      As for book recomendations, for your 14 year old I would recommend ‘A Dog’s Purpose’ by W. Bruce Cameron, the ‘Throne of Glass’ series by Sarah J. Maas, ‘Wonder’ by R.J. Palacio, and ‘Eleanor & Park’ by Rainbow Rowell. For your 21 year old, I would suggest the ‘Slammed’ series by Colleen Hoover, ‘Hopeless’ by Colleen Hoover, ‘Maybe Someday’ by Colleen Hoover, and ‘November 9’ by Colleen Hoover. (as you can tell I am a big Colleen Hoover fan). ‘The Hard Count’ by Ginger Scott and ‘Wild Reckless’ by Ginger Scott are also great. ‘The Sea of Tranquility’ by Katja Millay. A few of these recomendations are set in high school but have more mature themes. Please feel free to email me if you need more recs and I can send a longer and more detailed list! I love talking books!

      For you, I would also recommend books by Kristen Ashley. My favorite by hers is ‘The Will’. (it is on the steamier side) If you want something with less steam I would recommend ‘The Bronze Horseman’ trilogy by Paulina Simmons. It is a love story set during WWII that spans their lifetime together and apart.

      Welcome to the world of reading and I hope you find the best of books!

  8. Michele H

    There are so many wonderful romances to choose from but Swear on This Life by Renee Carlino absolutely wowed me. It was sweepingly romantic, heartbreaking at times, gritty and raw, but it was a journey that I think just about any reader would be able to connect with. The Story Guy by Mary Ann Rivers is my runner-up. Another knockout, highly emotional read.

    • Cathy

      Hi Michele, Renee Carlino is an author I’ve been meaning to check out but I had no idea where to start. Each of her novels gets such glowing reviews but now I know exactly where to start. ‘Swear on This Life’ sounds beautiful. I’m buying it now. The Story Guy sounds like an emotional journey and I am ready to grab my tissues and swoon/cry. Thank you for the recs!

  10. Jerri Hill

    I have not gotten over The Heart of a Texas Cowboy by Linda Broday. Houston Legend has everything a girl could want in a man. He is compassionate, loving, a protector, loyal, gentle, patient, committed, trustworthy, handsome, true, dependable, and he has a heart of gold. There are so few like him today.
    A second would be Cole Jacobs in Tougher by Kari Lynn Dell. That cowboy has my heart, too.
    Nastaza Waters, Shanna Hatfield and Hebby Roman, you also have branded my heart with your stories of love, redemption , and seeing beyond the surface of a person.

    • Cathy

      Thank you for the recs! I now have a whole list of authors and books to read and I can’t wait to dive in.

      I’ve been on the search for some great western novels so I’m really grateful for your recs. (:

    • Tonya Lucas

      Jerri- yes yes, Linda and Kari’s books are awesome! They have such great writing and stroryes to tell. Two that hold my heart.

  11. Charlene Whitehouse

    The Trumpeter swan. I received it when I was 12 years old and I still have it.

  12. orioles4ever

    The books that have made the biggest impact on me are all of Jane Austen’s books. I believe today there is no equal to how Ms. Austen expressed relationships and true romance living in a secluded lifestyle with her imagination, paper and pen and no technology!

  13. wendy rinebold

    I have a couple. All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood is my favorite book every written but I also have to add The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley by Shaun David Hutchinson. It was fabulous.