This post is inspired by Ally @ Ally Writes Things! She shared some books that she wish she had read when she was younger because she thinks she would have enjoyed them more. I thought that was a really clever idea! There have been times where I read a book and thought that my twelve year old self would have absolutely loved it! I still enjoyed most of these books but I really wish that I had had the chance to read them when I was younger.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
I could not get in to this book and I think I found it a little bit too whimsical and out there. When I was younger that would have been right up my alley. It is very creative and I would have thought it was really interesting. I was not as critical of books back then and I would have been able to just take it at face value.
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
Now do not get me wrong, I enjoyed All Systems Red and thought it was really fun, but my younger self would have thought it was absolutely hilarious! It would have appealed to my sense of humour back then.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Obviously, I loved Six of Crows but it is not an all-time favourite but I think I would have REALLY LOVED it when I was younger. There is something about cast of characters that I just know I would have connect to and I would probably still be looking back on it with nostalgia.
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
I thought this book was good but the insta-love was a little much for me and I found it to be really slow at times. Twelve-year old Kristin would have found it so romantic and I would probably have been an absolute blubbering mess by the end.
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy Carry On! I think I was just comparing it to Harry Potter and it took me out of the story. I started reading Harry Potter when I was twelve and became obsessed with it so I would have KILLED to have a book like this one! I still do appreciate Simon and Baz though!
Tiny Pretty Things by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton
Wow! This book was a lot of drama, and I actually kind of enjoyed it! It was exhausting by the end though. Of course, Kristin at twelve was very dramatic so this book would have been perfect for me!
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
You might know that I was disappointed by The Nightingale and found it to be over-hyped. I have read so many WWII fiction novels that it is difficult for a book in that genre to stand out now. My love for WWII fiction actually started when I was twelve and I read The Diary of a Young Girl, which I still adore. I think I would have connected to this story when I was younger, even though it is a little long!
This is such a great post, I’m so glad you enjoyed my post and was inspired! I haven’t read any of these, but from what I know about them, I totally agree about A Wrinkle in Time and Tiny Pretty Things. Both are on my TBR and I think I’ll enjoy them, but I’m aware they’ll probably be a little young
I think they are definitely both worth read but go in to them with a less critical eye! You just have to take them for what they are!
Omg I would not be allowed to read Six of Crows as a 12-year-old, I think! And the Nightingale would have depressed me a bit too much. I was into more “upbeat” reads. All Systems Red would totally be something I’d love! Carry On too!
Nice post idea!
My parents are not readers but they love that I read so they didn’t really care what I picked up! I loved depressing books back then and still do..what does that say about me?
That you were emotionally mature, I think. I was the kind of kid who didn’t want anything sad. Now I love depressing novels hahhaha I like to think of it as growth!
Hahaha that’s a good way to look at it!
You’ve picked such a great selection of books. And you e given me several new titles to pick up.
I think I’d be more obsessed with Six of Crows than I am now, if I were to read it much younger.
Great post!
I haven’t read any of these yet, but from what i know about them, my 12 year old self would have enjoyed Six of Crows and All Systems Red.
Possibly even the one about WWII. I read way more historical fiction when i was young.
So did I! I don’t read as much historical fiction these days. I really should get back in to it because it’s a great genre.
I so know what you mean regarding Six of Crows, my 12 year old self would have loved that book then. I love your list!
I am currently in love with Tamora Pierce’s Immortals series and honestly wish I read her books when I was 12 . Her books are so charming, full of wonderful female characters that show that strength is not only kicking someone’s butt and blazing fire whilst doing so… 🙂 I also love Percy Jackson’s adventures and again wish I discovered them whilst growing up.
Thank you! I have heard so many great things about her books but I have never read them. I might have to pick one up! I liked Percy Jackson but that is another book that should have been on this list. I know I would have loved it when I was younger!
this is such an interesting post idea!! i agree with Carry On – i would have loved it at 12.
Thank you! I have recommended Carry On to so many teenagers. It has so much to offer!
Wow, I haven’t read any of these…nor Harry Potter…my 12 year old self would have though, I think – all of the above (as long as it was a book, I was in it; and I do believe that sometimes a book finds you at just the right age and time in your life to truly appreciate it).
I completely agree with you. There are books I read back then that I know I wouldn’t like as much now but still mean a lot to me because they meant something to me back then.
I felt the same way about The Nightingale. Too much hype. A Light We Cannot See was so much better!
I completely agree!!!!
This is such a great list and a great idea! My twelve year old self would have loved carry on and six of crows 🙂
Thank you!! Both books I would put in the hands of the twelve year olds in my life!
This is a cool idea for a post! I feel like i definitely would have enjoyed reading Six of Crows when I was young too, but it would have been so dark for little me!! Also, funny enough, I enjoyed reading A Wrinkle in Time this year more than I did when I was eleven… 🤔
Thank you! It is a little dark but I was in to that! That is interesting about A Wrinkle in Time. I think I would have appreciated it more if I had reread it when I was older as opposed to read it for the first time!
Yeah maybe that’s what happened with A Wrinkle in Time! I just didn’t fully appreciate/understand it when I was younger 😊
This is such a great post! And I definitely think 12 year old Chloe would have had a bigger reaction to They Both Die At the End too!
Thank you! I glad I’m not the only one. I was a little bit disappointed by it but realize I’m not the target audience and completely understand why it would appeal to many people.
This is a great list! I loved Six of Crows! My 12 year old self would’ve loved it too!
Thanks!! I really wish it was around when I was that age!