Top Ten Tuesday: Gateway Books/Authors in My Reading Journey

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Whether they have 10 or not, everyone has a "gateway" book or author. These are the books/authors that have introduced something or changed something in your reading journey. Just like characters need to grow, I think readers do too. In no particular order, here's my top ten gateway books and authors:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

This is probably the most repeated item on my Top Ten lists, but it deserves it so much. Probably the first non-contemporary, non-historical book I read. The Hunger Games was my true gateway book.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

My first fantasy and the first book I read to review. Basically, the gateway to my blogging.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Somewhat of my gateway to New Adult. So this is my first and only New Adult I've read.

Ally Carter

IT'S ALLY CARTER! Not only did she write my favorite series, the Gallagher Girls, but she was my first ever author event. 

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

I credit this book for getting me out of my fuzzy slump period. Before it came along, I wandered from book to book, not really getting anything to truly stick. 

All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

After I listed this, I realized I did read and enjoy Tamara Island Stone's Time Between Us, but this book seems like a whole different kind of time travel. BLEW MY MIND. My gateway to...time travel? The book that dominated my End of the Year Bookish Survey? 

Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy

I knew before reading this that main characters should have flaws. I knew before that they can be unlikable. But I've always had high expectations of my MCs and probably still will. However, this is the book I remember reading and realizing that hey, I don't like the MC, but I still really like the story. 

The Song of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce

Thanks to Tamora Pierce's The Song of the Lioness series, it revamped fantasy for me and made a week of work bearable. Bless you, Pierce.

Forever Princess by Meg Cabot

My ultimate anti-slump book. If anything, I read my favorite Michael parts and—badabing!—I love reading again.

The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade

The book that I credit to getting me to really love dual POVs from each gender. Also, it's by Stacey Kade who wrote the first ARC I ever got.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

HELLO, EMOTIONS. Not only did it bring out more emotions while reading than I ever experienced before (Mockingjay aside), but it was the first book I ever read by a male author and LOVED. Possibly the first book I ever read by a male author period. 

What books, authors, events, etc. have helped your reading journey?