10 Books That Shaped Me

**10 Books That Shaped Me**

*Stories, chills, lessons, and sound effects.*

Admittedly, I haven’t read as much as I wanted to over the course of my life—unless I *needed* to. But there are books that stuck with me, helped shape how I see the world, and made me fall in love with stories. Some are childhood favorites, some are more recent discoveries, but all of them have left a mark.

### 1. *Bud, Not Buddy* by Christopher Paul Curtis

*The book that made history feel human.*

This was the first book I read where I felt emotionally connected to the main character. His journey felt real, and it was a powerful introduction to the Black experience in historical fiction.

### 2. *Corduroy* by Don Freeman

*The book that showed me what it means to be wanted.*

Simple but timeless. Corduroy was more than a bear looking for a button—he was looking for a place to belong. And when he found it, it was everything.

### 3. *Goosebumps* by R.L. Stine

*The books that introduced me to fear... in a fun way.*

I had a whole collection of these. Each one brought something creepy, weird, and wonderful. Whether it was haunted masks or evil dummies, these books kept me up at night—and I loved every minute.

### 4. *None of This Is True* by Lisa Jewell

*The book that showed me storytelling can still surprise.*

A recent read, but unforgettable. The structure, the twists, the pacing—it had me on edge the entire time. It reminded me how powerful and thrilling a good story can be.

### 5. *Think and Grow Black* by Dennis Kimbro

*The book that taught me how to imagine success beyond the norm.*

This book changed the way I thought about career, ambition, and what’s possible. It pushed me to dream differently—and more intentionally.

### 6. *The Witches* by Roald Dahl

*The book that made being creeped out fun.*

Read in elementary school, this book was weird and whimsical in the best way. It had that classic Roald Dahl strangeness that made the story stick.

### 7. *Edgar Allan Poe: Complete Tales & Poems*

*The collection that made me fall in love with the dark and mysterious.*

I didn’t read all of it in one go, but I returned to these stories and poems over time. Poe’s sense of dread and atmosphere showed me how writing could haunt you—in a good way.

### 8. *Harold and the Purple Crayon* by Crockett Johnson

*The book that made imagination feel limitless.*

A boy draws his own world with just a crayon. That idea blew my mind. It was playful and powerful and showed me that creativity is a form of control—and escape.

### 9. *Beach Party* by R.L. Stine (Fear Street Saga)

*The book that showed me teen horror was its own genre.*

This one had suspense, summer vibes, and mystery. It was part of a series, and I remember being obsessed with the whole storyline. I never forgot that cover either.

### 10. *Batman: The Case of the Missing Egg* by Golden Books

*The book that made reading feel like a game.*

This interactive sound book came with buttons along the side, each timed to go with a moment in the story. I thought it was the coolest thing ever. It made me feel like I was part of the action—pressing buttons at just the right moment to hear explosions, sirens, or Batman's theme.

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Books come and go, but the ones that stick stay in your bones. These ten are a strange but beautiful mix that shaped how I think, imagine, and write today.