Top Ten Tuesday #6

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten "Gateway" Books/Authors In My Reading Journey

Oh wow, I have a vague idea of which books will be on my list. My reading journey started in elementary school, then I took a break during high school, and now I'm back! Well, technically that's not true, but compared to elementary school and college, I read the least amount of books in high school. Damn those standardized tests. And English classics.

And without further ado, here's the list!

1. The Magic Tree House Books by Mary Pope Osborne

I would like to start off very early, more specifically, when I was a little kindergartener! I made my parents buy most of the series, because my teachers were reading it in class. I'm gonna bet that this series was officially my first gateway to the reading world! (picture books read to me do not count)

2. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

Completely obsessed with this book in elementary school. I absolutely loved fantasy, and this got me into the children's fantasy genre. Plus, after Inkheart, I read all of Cornelia Funke's other books as well, including Dragon Rider and Thief Lord. She was my favorite author growing up.

3. Matilda by Roald Dahl

My second grade teacher read every single one of his books during circle time. Matilda was my absolute favorite because she loved books, and she could move objects with her mind. Plus the headmistress and Matilda's parents got what was coming to them. 

4. Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce

I read this entire series in middle school, because it was just pure awesomeness. This was one of the first books that introduced me to YA fantasy, and also an amazing, kickass heroine. I can't wait to read it again over the summer!

5. Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

I read this last year in only one day. This book got me out of my book reading slump in college, and I'm so glad I stumbled upon it on Goodreads, and then decided to buy it off Amazon.

6. Hate List by Jennifer Brown

I actually hate books about drugs and school drama. But the Hate List was different. I made myself read this book for an All About Me challenge, since the main character's name is Val. I really didn't want to read it, but after I started, I couldn't stop. It made me think about who is really blamed for a school shooting, and how people just assume things so easily. It really adds a whole new perspective regarding these sensitive topics. 

7. The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot

My all-time favorite YA series, that introduced me to the YA paranormal genre. I absolutely loved The Mediator, and I am so glad I stumbled upon it in the library in middle school. One day, I will own the entire series.

8. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

I highly recommend this book. It's about the life and times of an autistic boy, named Christopher, who knows every single country in the world and every prime number up to 7057. This book led to read more fiction books about autism and other cognitive disorders, like Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend, Still Alice, and Flowers for Algernon.

9. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain

This is the first non-fiction book that I thoroughly enjoyed AND read on my own free will! I recommend this to anyone that is interested in psychology, or is an introvert. It explains everything using easy to understand words, unlike some other non-fiction books. Due to this, I am now more interested in non-fiction, and also memoirs.

10. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

This is an obvious choice. I LOVE HARRY POTTER!

I started reading the series in elementary school, and then waited for the rest (books 5, 6, and 7) to come out as well. My mom actually HID the one I was reading at the time because I just wouldn't stop reading it. Nevertheless, I got it back (thank god) and then just continued to read it. I'm pretty sure it led to other fantasy books, like Inkheart, but overall it increased my interest in reading.

How about you? Link your TTT below!