I’ve wanted to be an author since I was really young. Of course, my aspirations weren’t always so clear, but I often circled back to wanting to write for a living. Like most authors, there were some books I read in my youth that really stuck with me. These books helped me escape the real world for a while, and showed me the kinds of stories that could be written if I applied myself. Unsurprisingly, some of these books have similar themes to one another. Ghosts and the paranormal are a particular interest of mine, and romance also has a key role to play in some of the these stories. So without further ado, these are the books that helped shape my writing:
Molly Moon series by Georgia Byng
This was the first book series that really sparked my interest in paranormal, mysterious powers beyond normal reason. It’s a children’s book series that I read in late elementary school, and I was captured by this story of an orphan girl named Molly Moon who discovers a book on hypnosis in the library. She uses hypnosis to become a famous star, and in later books learns to time travel through hypnosis. I was enthralled. I remember being eager to go back to the library to get the next book and then the next book. Admittedly, I don’t remember most of the details of this series, as it was quite a while ago now, but I do remember that excitement I had to read about Molly Moon’s next adventure in hypnotism. This series was hugely influential in the types of books I chose to read afterwards.
The Mediator series by Meg Cabot
Most people know Meg Cabot for her wildly popular The Princess Diaries series, but I always knew her for The Mediator series. It’s a story about a teen girl named Suze who can talk to ghosts and attempts to guide them to the afterlife. When she moves to California, she discovers a handsome ghost residing in her bedroom, and he just won’t leave! You can probably tell where this story is going. While I was gripped by the romance and supernatural elements of the series, this was the first series where I really picked up on a writing style I absolutely loved! It’s witty, it’s humorous, but still has just a touch of darkness without being full-on horror. I loved Suze’s inner dialogue as she navigates through life as a mediator in a new town, and I distinctly remember thinking I want to write just like this. I’ve read this series multiple times since the first time I read it in middle school, and frankly it might be about time I pick up this series again.
The Darkest Powers series by Kelley Armstrong
This series is likely my favorite of all time. I can’t really put my finger on why, but it’s one I keep coming back to again and again. Similar to The Mediator, Chloe has the supernatural ability to talk to ghosts. Not only that, she can summon ghosts and turn them into the undead. Unlike Suze from The Mediator though, Chloe only just discovered these powers and is told she’s schizophrenic when the adults in her life learn she’s been seeing things. She’s put in a home for “crazy” kids, only to slowly discover that the other kids seem to have strangely supernatural abilities of their own. And, like many other young adult novels, there’s a bit of romance thrown in there, too. It has the same paranormal themes that drew me in like many prior books, and I quite enjoyed how relatable Chloe was as an awkward teen who just wants to fit in. I read through this series so quickly the first time through, and every subsequent time as well. The fact it was an easy read that I could get lost in greatly inspired my own desire to write.
Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
The only book on this list to not contain anything paranormal, Flipped is a story I hold very near and dear to my heart. It’s a beautiful love story told from the perspective of two protagonists and their feelings for each other, or lack thereof. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll find the urge to reach into the pages to smack Bryce upside the head for not taking a liking to Juli sooner. I very much enjoy a good romance, and a love story so simple and pure as this one makes my heart skip a beat. If I can write a romance that I adore as much as this one, I will die happy.
What do you think? Have you read any of these books? Please share what books you love the most. I’m always happy to take suggestions on what I should read next!
B. L. Allen Books 