10 influential books that made me who i am today (must reads)!!!

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Thank you for all of the sweet birthday wishes! ☺️ I feel so lucky to call you my friends 🤍📖

[@audreycashmore1749]

Happy birthday, dear Carolyn! 🎉 You are such a joy and bring so much light and positivity to the world, I am so glad I found your channel when I did. You’ve been a lovely constant through a couple of years that have been filled with change. Thank you! p.s. We are true birthday twins!! I am turning 26 today too.

[@suespiers9943]

Happy birthday ❤🎉

[@heatherdorsey4770]

Happy birthday!🎉 I was in my 3rd year teaching 6th grade when The Giver came out. It was back in the day when the Scolastic Book Fair sent book "trailers" on VHS tape to the school ahead of time. My students begged me to buy the book and read it to them. I purchased the book as soon as the book fair opened. After lunch, we got comfortable, and I read the entire book to them. It was an amazing experience. They spent the rest of the year taking turns checking the book out so their parents and siblings could read it as well. I wish I still had that copy. It eventually fell apart. Such a precious memory. Those students are turning 28 this year!

[@bdidaho9572]

Whew, tough question, good answers. I would have to break it into life phases. My top 5 life-changing books as an adult are: (1) Tale of Two Cities, Dickens, taught me about the best and worst of humanity and the reality of the human spirit; (2) Lord of the Rings, Tolkien, taught me about nobility and courage against impossible odds; (3) 1984, Orwell, taught me about the dangers of collectivism and the values of individualism and liberty; (4) The Road, McCarthy, taught me about what it means to be a father and the value of giving your life for someone else; (5) Hunchback of Notre Dame, taught me about the difference between religiosity and morality and gives a wonderful trip back in time to 15th century Paris, a real world that has all but vanished.

[@MikaelOdqvist]

Have a great day of days Carolyn. Thanks for sharing this list of yours.

[@bujobyfilo]

Happy birthday Carolyn! A fine balance and Anna Karenina would be the 2 books that have influenced me and how I see life today. I'm so happy we share 1, and I'm convinced you'd love the other one too! 😉

[@rich_in_paradise]

Happy birthday! I was also behind in my reading at school. In the end, being a nerd I ended up getting most of my english skills from reading computer magazines. But I did have one favourite fiction book series as a young teen: Hitch Hikers Guide To The Galaxy. That really got me into reading with its humour.

[@MaryReadsToLive]

Happy Birthday!!! I hope you have a wonderful day full of books, love and fun!

[@shawngay6533]

Happy birthday! Loved hearing about the books that most affected you. Literary resonances make life sweeter.

[@lalainetanishasulicipan7240]

Happy birthday to the first booktuber I ever followed! I was just searching for videos about annotating books and yours came first.

[@samyanggg-b6z]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CAROLYN! 🤍 It was you who prompt me read Jane Eyre this year, and now it has become one of my most treasured books! I never knew I could meet my second self with Jane Eyre. Thank you, Carolyn! 🌟

[@gl4621]

Happy birthday!!! Many blessings to you!

[@bkjunkie1553]

Happy Birthday! Thank you for this video & all your videos. The Giving Tree us such an awesome book & makes a great baby gift. Im gifting one to my brand new neice this week. Children should grow up being influenced by the great gift of gratitude in this precious story.

[@crystall31cl]

Happy Birthday 🎉 Carolyn i hope you have a wonderful day and birthday.

[@Filmguy525]

Happy Birthday Carolyn. I think you are a really sweet person and I really enjoy watching your videos.

[@AChilly]

Happy birthday lovely Carolyn!! 💕💕

[@mercury5136]

Happy birthday Carolyn! Your channel is one of my favorite places on the internet because of how cozy and positive it is. Hope you have a lovely day!

[@hhira7225]

Happy birthday, beautiful soul🎉🎊

[@lauravaillancourt2518]

Happy birthday!!! Thank you for sharing these books

[@jimirdas4993]

Happy Birthday dear Carolyn❤️ because of you I got into classics,,,,still new to it but it really made great impact on my life ,,, thankyou ❤️ once again ,,,a very Happy Birthday to you

[@MariiRiveira]

Happy Birthday from Brazil!!! Love your videos Carolyn! God bless you!!

[@pialikaushik5437]

Many happy returns dear. Stay blessed always ❤

[@MariaMedeiros]

Happy Birthday Carolyn! Wishing you all the best and may all your dreams and wishes come true! 🥳

[@renee1292]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! And thank you for all your videos. The Little Prince for sure. The Artist's Way

[@madelinebull4788]

Happy Birthday!!! These are great books and the ones I haven't read are now on my TBR.

[@marijakuncic]

Happy birthday, dear Carolyn Marie! I love hearing you talk so passionately about books, especially children's books and illustrations. I, too, struggled with reading as a child, and Charlottte Bronte's Jane Eyre and Beatrix Potter's collection of stories helped grow my love of reading. Later in life, Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go extended my reading journey, and I will forever be grateful for that book coming into my life. Lots of love and warmest of wishes 😊!

[@Kyle4k9]

Happy birthday, Carolyn. I hope it’s wonderful for you. Watching your video, I was thinking that books have often affected me most through their impacts on other people.

[@jenniferk1724]

Happy happy birthday Carolyn! wishing u a wonderful adventurous year ahead in the UK with Leon! :)

[@joobydoobydoo]

Happy birthday Carolyn!!🩷

[@sofiaborges3853]

Carolyn, happy bday!🥳 your channel always gives me so much calm and happy energy! I hope this is also what you feel filming for your channel!Thank you for sharing your life and your thoughts!

[@munirafatima3414]

happy birthday Carolyn! your videos brighten my day and I have loved seeing your journey from a uni student during the pandemic to a small business owner far away from your home. sending lots of love to you❤

[@deannpost4432]

Happy Birthday!!🎉 I’m going to have to read Jane Eyre now! Have read the other 9, very great books!

[@thaliafernandez1378]

Happy birthday Carolyn 🩷😚 I love your videos and your art. I hope you have the best day ever in the UK. Enjoy!!!

[@nissasbookcorner]

happy birthday!! :) i loved hearing about the books that are part of your soul ❤️

[@RandallGriffithCHt]

Happy B-Day! Such a great topic.

[@jinuelzymon]

happy birthday carolyn!! i love it so much when people share the books that shaped them 🤍 also, i’m so excited to read anna karenina, i’ll be reading it hopefully right after i finish east of eden (which is my current read right now).

[@peachyb6528]

11:28 Happy birthday Carolyn! And I agree so much about The Little Prince! I did not realize it was the second most translated book, next only to The Bible, that’s even more incredible.

[@PatrikOrjes]

Happy Birthday Carolyn! 🥳🎉

[@uzairyousuf3481]

I can’t imagine my life without Harry potter book series. These are the books which transformed my personality. These are the only books which got me into habit of reading and a dream of having own home library just like yours. It taught me so many things all at once. Best wishes for you future and thanks for uploading this video Happy reading 📖📖

[@OboyJave17]

It's my birthday today too! You have no idea how excited I was to learn that we have the same birthday, I screamed and told my sister hehe. Happy Birthday Carolyn!

[@GabrielMaland]

This is such a special video, the two books that have meant the most to me is Tolkien’s collection of essays/short story’s titled “Tree and Leaf” as well as CS Lewis book “Mere Christianity”

[@ruthjones-hernandez7307]

Happy, Happy Birthday, Carolyn. 🎂💐

[@mangledolaf]

Happy birthday Caroline!

[@midori8er]

Happy birthday!! I wish I had read so many books when I was 26!

[@lesandthecity]

Happy Birthday to my fellow Libra! Thanks for sharing this list of influential books. I will be adding a few to my TBR list.

[@TheLinguistsLibrary]

Happy birthday, beautiful Carolyn! Wishing you a lot health, wealth and joy, cheers to many more trips around the sun!

[@KamelyFessler]

Happy Birthday, Carolyn! I hope you have a great day!

[@pallavikrishnan8660]

Happy Birthday Carolyn ...your book tastes shaped my own ...❤❤❤

[@subtlefire7256]

Happy birthday! I hope you're having a wonderful day. ❤ Loved the video, I always enjoy hearing people talk about the books that shaped them. And I love what you said about Anna Karenina being a whole world rather than just a book, I felt that.

[@sumedhareads]

Happiest birthday Carolyn

[@martinelanglois3158]

A very happy birthday ! ❤

[@Katt_Dubbs]

Happy birthday, Carolyn! 🥳

[@brentmonnett953]

Happy Birthday, Carolyn! I am honored to engage with your content. It is always delightful for me to find others who share my love of literature. You are brilliant and much love to you and your husband! 😊

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

Happy belated birthday! My sister and one of friends have October birthdays. Books that shaped my childhood were Gooebumps, Amelia Bedelia series, Harry Potter (Pre-teens), Dancing on the Edge, The Night I Disappeared, Animorphs, The Velveteen Rabbit, The Cat in the Hat, Jane Eyre (teens), Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, and Mrs. Piggly Wiggly. As a reader, I feel bad that I have to admit, that I remember movies and shows from my childhood better than the books. I remember participating in a reading camp, but I can't remember all the books I read during that, but I wish I could. I do believe that's when I read Dancing on the Edge, Gathering Blue, and The Imposters.

[@almaseed1413]

Happy birthday. Your are such a blessing. Enjoy your day! ❤❤❤

[@AnaRitaGaspar17]

Happiest of birthdays, Carolyn! ✨️ Your passion and enthusiasm for literature, art and nature are truly contagious and inspiring, and your videos and artwork bring me so much joy! I don't think I ever left a comment on a KZbin video before, but I really wanted to leave you a small birthday message (we are even the same age hehe) ☺️ I hope you have a lovely day and keep enjoying your time in England! Super excited for you 🍂🍁 (also, thanks for introducing Anna Karenina to me last year! It became one of my favorite books as well)

[@melyibarra809]

Happy birthdaaaay💕💕💕

[@SciVerse111]

Belated happy birthday dear🎉❤ I am so thankful to you, Carolyn, for encouraging me to read Kazuo Ishiguro's books. He has now become one of my favorite authors. Lots of love from India❤

[@annek4885]

Happy birthday Carolyn! I would say the Anne of green gables series made me who I am today

[@oumaimasbooks]

Happy Birthday💙💙

[@laceandlibrary]

Happy birthday!!! 🎂🤍🍂

[@evamatlach1986]

Happy Birthday from Austria! Love your Videos and the positive and heartwarming way you speak to us, about reading or about your life! I love Winnie the Pooh since I read it with my Kids and the Illustrations of Beatrix Potters books are adorable! I want to start with Anna Karenina and I am curious of my experience with this big book! 😊

[@kasiawasilewski6052]

Posted 1 minute ago is crazy. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

[@jeckalla]

I will be reading Anna Karenina next year! You've made me so excited to dive into it.

[@cindyurban150]

Happy Birthday Carolyn ! You have great taste in books.For me it was also Jane Eyre that got me into classics. I also loved Great Expectations, Alice In Wonderland, Wuthering Heights, and To Kill A Mockingbird. Enjoy your special day !🎂

[@Greta.Anderson]

I love this post and thinking about this idea. I will give it more thought but my initial picks for influential books are- The Babysitters Club series, Little House on the Prairie series, Harry Potter, Jane Eyre, A Christmas Carol, Mistborn, A Song of Ice and Fire, Grapes of Wrath. I haven’t read as many classics as you have, but I’m starting to really enjoy them.

[@mirandarm97]

Happy birthday, Carolyn! Hope you have a wonderful day today 🥳Much love to you from Spain ❤

[@booklady8888]

Happy Birthday! I hope you enjoy your day 📚😊 Happy Reading

[@leonkamitsis7167]

Happy birthday, Carolyn🎉

[@JennyFernBooks]

This was such a beautiful and relatable video! The Little Prince is also a part of my soul ✨️

[@CarolynMarieReads]

☺️📖✨

[@jeevratankaur]

Happiest Birthday Carolyn ❤️

[@christyforest141]

I read the Giver when I was little. But I didn't know it's a quartet. Thank you for introducing the Giver series! I'll check them out very soon :) Have a great day! You're a wonderful person!

[@coco_blade]

🎉Happy Bday!

[@rachitgupta1819]

Omg a very happy birthday carolyn!! I love watching your videos so much ✨😭 I hope this new chapter is full of good reads🤎✨

[@pawsonpages]

Happiest of birthdays to you ❤🎉

[@HealedandThriving]

Happy Birthday!!! ❤

[@elenianagnostopoulou8979]

Happy birthday dear Carolyn 🎂 Your videos are such a comfort to me. May you and your husband have love, health, and happiness always 🎉 I also adore your author portraits (I have 3 😅) and aim to frame them and create a mini gallery wall above my desk 🤎 Also, welcome to England! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@itsjelenaaa]

Happy birthday 🎉🎉🎉 I just read "and the way home every morning gets longer and longer" and i cried on every page. Im probably going to read jane eyre and never let me go next per your recommendation. Thank you for another amazing video ❤❤

[@DudaKleinchannel]

I thought about how much I missed your videos just last night!!!! Happy birthday ❤

[@Lynn_Ann_Jackson]

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday, Carolyn! I’m so pleased you are able to spend it in England, my second home, which was Loughborough in my junior year at university, and in York after I was married. I miss it very much, so enjoy every minute of your time there. My defining books would probably be Little Women and Charlotte’s Web, to name only a couple. Your list provides me with some new reading inspiration…thanks for these.🍨🎂💐📚❤️

[@janaroumieh6773]

Happy birthdayyyyyy!!! You share the same birthday with my dad🥰🥰🥰❤️❤️❤️

[@StashaA.]

Of course you were born during the best month of the year! 🥰 May your birthday be as extraordinary as you are, and the year ahead filled with exciting opportunities, new achievements, and beautiful moments! 🌠🍀🥳 I will be forever thankful to you for introducing me to Fredrik Backman. 🙏💖

[@Bms-girl]

Happy birthday Carolyn, have a wonderful day with your lovely husband 🎉

[@empea3837]

Happy Birthday Carolyn 🎉 📚 🎁. You are a gift! Books that changed my life: The Hobbit, Siddhartha, The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe, The Little Engine That Could. And the #1 book that changed and continues to change my life is the Bible. ❤

[@jean-lucmora6834]

Bon anniversaire Carolyn ! Un petit bonjour de France. The books I love the most are: Alice in wonderland, Alice au pays des merveilles. The Lord of the rings, le Seigneur des anneaux. As you said Le petit Prince is a true masterpiece, a french classic. Merci.

[@efluvial]

Happy Birthday!🎁🎂🎉

[@jillenglish5878]

Happy Birthday Carolyn, I hope you have a wonderful day. You would make a fine teacher with your enthusiasm and love of reading. Do you like the Brambly Hedge books by Jill Barklem. If you are in any second hand shops have a look for the old Ladybird Nature books from late 1950's illustrated by C F Tunnicliffe. They were what to look for in Summer, What to look for in Winter, Spring and Autumn.

[@erika20099]

🎉Happy birthday, Carolyn🎉

[@emma_margaret]

I love this video, I have since been thinking about which books shaped my life and it’s so interesting to look back on! Also happy birthday to my almost birthday twin (mines the 16th 😌)

[@ksenijasotin2672]

Happy birthday!! 🎉🎁 Wishing you all the best! 💖 Very interesting topic. I would say that 20.000 leagues under the sea by Jules Verne is the first book that showed me how interesting and adventurous is to read.

[@zoftft5502]

Happy birthday dear Carolyn 🎈🌼🎉

[@insearchofwonder]

Happy birthday! Loved this! Winnie the Pooh is a heart favorite of mine as well. ❤❤

[@jasonmeade955]

Happy Birthday. The books that influenced me the most: On Liberty by JS Mill taught me the importance of trying to listen to and understand those I firmly believe are wrong. 1984 by George Orwell taught me the dangerous nature of words and the dangers of concentrated power. The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine taught me the importance of free thought and the dangers of organized tradition. The Razor's Edge by W Somerset Maugham taught me that feeling disconnected while longing to gain some sort of understanding and meaning are part of the human experience. A Man Called Otto by Fredrik Backman was the most beautifully painful novel I have ever read, and related to the main character far more than I like to admit. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis was the book I read when I was very young that made me fall in love with reading. The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien introduced me to my life-long obsession, which is all things JRR Tolkien (not just his writings, but his life; he is one of the most interesting and wonderful people I have ever learned about, while still being incredibly boring, but in a good way). Only Begotten Daughter by James Morrow showed me that theology can be combined with dark humor, satire, and excellent prose to create a compelling story that explores so many facets of humanity, spirituality, and society without getting preachy. The Discworld series by Terry Pratchett have been a godsend; smart, funny, quick reads that always give you a lift, even while pointing out some of the most serious absurdities of humanity in brilliant satire.

[@kimbarbeaureads]

Happy birthday 🎂 My top six influential books are, in chronological order are: 1. The Little Golden Books version of The Three Bears. It was the first book I read by myself. 2. Charlotte's Web. I didn't read it until I was in eighth grade, but I read it all in one go and adored it. It was a nice reprieve from my moody, Poe obsession. 3. The Holy Bible. Jesus, and by extension, the Bible, pulled me out of a really dark place. I continue to read it daily thirty years later. 4. Fahrenheit 451. It made me conscious of how easily freedoms can be taken and encouraged me to register to vote 5. The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. It make me feel brave, like I could stand up to injustice. 6. Jane Eyre. It's a comfort novel

[@Lavfei]

Happy Birthday!🎉

[@78nisan]

happy birthday :)

[@mabelmoreno1]

Happy birthday, Carolyn!!! 🎂🥳🥳🥳 I hope you’re having a wonderful day. 🎉🎊🎉🎊 What a fantastic way to celebrate your birthday, in England; with your husband. 🥳🥳🥰🥰 May today be the beginning of new 365 days full of blessings, lots of good reading, and amazing moments. Sending you big hugs. 🤗🤗🥰🥰

[@LindsayBraunwalder]

Happy birthday! We are both libras! 😂 Thank you for your kind videos. Relating to this video... you are right that most don't realize "The Giver," is part of a series. I had no idea... I want to read them all. ... Also oh goodness I love Frederick Backman as well, "Anxious People,"... ❤❤❤. Gosh this video, again thank you.

[@LindsayBraunwalder]

This book holds a piece of my soul, "The Girl in the Tree" by Sebnem Isiguzel, translated by Mark David Wyers. I want to re-read this soon, but I just remember it making such an impact on me when I first read it.

[@verodunstan7864]

🎉🎉 happy birthday! 🎉🎉

[@denisefreitas6727]

Happy Birthday, darling Carolyn! We have some influential books in common: The Little Prince, The Invention of Hugo Cabret and Anna Karenina. Other books that made me: Swann's Way, Alice in Wonderland and Eugénie Grandet. Love from Brazil! 💖📚