25 Books/Series to Read While I'm 25

As I turned 25 yesterday, I started to think about if there were some books that I have been putting off reading for a long time, that I know that I really need to read while I'm in my 20s because it's the perfect time to do so. That had me using Google to search lists of books to read while you're in your 20s. While I took some suggestions off of the different lists, I also threw in some books that I feel are fitting. Ultimately, I wanted to make sure that this was still a list of books I really wanted to read, since I am pushing myself to make sure that I read all of these books before I turn 26. I think that it will be a fun challenge for myself, and I'm really looking forward to reading some of these books. Some are re-reads, and some are classics that I should have read a long time ago. Nonetheless, I think 25 is the perfect year to read them! 

1.Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

Why? This one is definitely a re-read for me, but it's a long time coming. I read the first book again last year, but had planned to get through much more than that. I love the HP books, and it is definitely my favorite series. It seems like the perfect time to finish my re-reads.

2. The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer

Why? This is another re-read for me, and it's also a long time coming as it has been years since I first read this series. You know, when the hype was high and everyone was reading them. Now that the hype has died down, and I've seen all of the movies, I'm interested in going back and reading these again.

3. Sarah Dessen's Books

Why? Yup, all of them. I am a HUGE Sarah Dessen fan, and have always picked up her books right away (so excited for her new release this year!!). Despite loving them so much, it's been a long time since I've read any of them, so I've decided to change that. Not only do I want to re-read them all, but I want to re-purchase all of them in the new paperback covers as well.

4. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling

Why? This book was on several of the lists that I found on Google. Since I already have it sitting on my shelves, it seems like the perfect time to pick it up. I have heard good things about it, too.

5. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Why? This is another one that was on almost all of the lists that I looked at, so that had me pretty much assuming that I need to read it. I am also a big fan of memoirs lately, so I am definitely interested in giving this a read very soon.

6. Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding

Why? I think that I probably should have read this book a long time ago, so it's about time that I finally pick this one up. I hear that it's supposed to be really funny, and then I suppose I should watch the movie afterwards because I've never seen that either.

7. Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close

Why? This is another book that showed up on almost all of the lists, and I have been told by several people that I do need to read this book in my 20s. It might not completely relate to me, but I do think I would still really enjoy the story.

8. The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger

Why? This is another one that a lot of people have read that I have not. It's all about getting your dream career, which is something that I still daydream about as well. This is another one that I can watch the movie for once I read it because I haven't seen it yet either.

9. Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek by Maya Van Wagenen

Why? Because I really want to read it...

10. I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

Why? I have heard great things about this book and author. I want to start getting into some adult books, and this seems like a great starting point.

11. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Why? I have two copies of this book now, from the same friend. I think that is a pretty big sign that I finally need to read this classic!

12. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Why? This is another classic that I cannot believe that I have not read yet. They even talk about it on Friends, which I'm obsessed with...I know, shame on me.

13. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Why? This has been one of my favorite movies since I was young, so I think that it's probably about time I read the book it was based off of.

14. The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer

Why? I have heard so many great things about this one. As I'm trying to pick up adult books, it seems like a pretty good choice.

15. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Why? This is another one that I have been meaning to read for a long time, but everyone tells me it's pretty depressing, so I put it off. It's another one where I can watch the movie afterwards though, which is especially great because Andrew Garfield is in it.

16. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Why? I am already passed by college years, which means that it's about time that I actually read this one. I have not read anything by Rainbow Rowell either, so it's about time that I change that.

17. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Why? This is another one that I should have read a long time ago. It showed up on all of the lists that I found, so I think that's a pretty big sign I need to read it now.

18. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson

Why? I have heard great things about this adult novel as well, and it won the Goodreads aware in 2013. I think that is more than enough reason, especially since it showed up on a couple of the lists that I found.

19. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Why? This is another one that I just really want to read, and tons of my friends say that it's amazing. Then I can watch this movie as well.

20. He's Just Not That Into You by Greg Behrendt & Liz Tuccillo

Why? I LOVE this movie. It is so, so funny. I had no idea that the book was actually nonfiction, and while I'm not sure it will be completely relevant to me, I still really do want to read this. I'm sure it's going to be pretty amusing.

21. Something Borrowed by Emily Griffin

Why? This is another movie that I absolutely love. It's one of those that I could just watch over and over again. I have also had this book on my shelf for a couple of years, so it's about time that I finally pick it up and read it.

22. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Why? I have been meaning to read this one for awhile. A friend got it for me probably a year ago, and I still haven't read it. I did pick it up at the beginning of the school year, but things were hectic and I didn't get too far in. I've heard amazing things though, so I do want to read it soon.

23. Anything by Nicholas Sparks

Why? Yup, another popular author that I have not read yet. I have seen plenty of his movies (he sure likes to kill characters off at the end, doesn't he?), but I haven't read any of the books. This is the year that I'm going to change that, though!

24. Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Why? Like I said earlier, I really do enjoy reading memoirs. This one won a Goodreads award in 2012, so that definitely says a lot as well. I know this one is a movie now, and I have heard that it's a wonderful story. I'm just very interested in it.

25. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

Why? Yup, you guessed it, another memoir. I can't help it, I just really enjoy it. This one seems to be a lot of short stories, so that will be a bit of a change for me. This one has been on my radar for quite some time, so I'm excited about actually reading it.

Inspiring Female Characters

One of the things that catches my attention the most about YA novels these days are the strong female characters that leap out of their pages. Sure, YA books have always focused mostly on female characters, but I do not feel like they have always been as strong, independent, and brave as they seem to be now. My coworkers and I often talk about this - how happy we are that our middle school girls are growing up with these characters, learning at a young age that you don't always need a guy to help you through everything, that sometimes you're strong enough on your own. This isn't to say that I don't love the male characters, I do, but I feel like this is a strong message we are sending to girls. With all of the negative they see on television and in the media, it's about time we find a way to get some positive inspiration to them as well. Now, we just have to get them to open the books. So, to continue with my thoughts on this, I decided to share some of the female characters that have inspired me the most.

1. Hermione Granger - Harry Potter series
Now if I'm being honest, it would be no shock that Hermione has found her way into the number one spot on my list of inspiring females. She is, by far, my favorite character ever. Not only is she brilliant, and does not feel the need to flaunt it, but she is brave, sincere, fiercely loyal, and relateable. She is the girl that doesn't want to get into trouble (read me in school), but she is also willing to throw herself directly into the same trouble if it means helping her friends and saving innocent people. She cares for others, even if they might not deserve it, and that is something that I can respect.

2. Beatrice "Tris" Prior - The Divergent Trilogy
Tris is a character that I absolutely love, and also envy because I know that I could never be here. From the very beginning she is told to conform to one faction or another, when that is one of the most difficult things for her to do. She is determined to figure out who she is, but she also has guilt about possibly leaving and hurting her family. She is brave, selfless, sometimes a little careless, but always seems to want the best. She goes through so much, loses so much, and is still willing to stand up and do what she knows is right up until the very end.

3. Angela Chapman - Pretty Girl-13
This is a book I just finished yesterday, and I really cannot stop thinking about it. It was so haunting and beautiful, and I have to give most of the credit to Angela, as she is the main character throughout the novel. Well, mostly here-and the different personalities she has to deal with. Not only does she have to deal with a kidnapping that she cannot remember, but she has to struggle with the problems her own mind is causing. I know that I could never handle things the way she did, and that is why she is an inspiration. I believe that she is a character that could help another person that went through something like she did, even if her story is fictional.

4. Katniss Everdeen - The Hunger Games
Honestly, I was a little hesitant to put Katniss on the list, but then I realized that this is supposed to be about characters that could inspire others, even if they might not necessarily inspire me. Along with that, I shouldn't take my feelings out on Katniss for she is an innocent character. I am not fond of how the series came to be, and so the whole thing is a sore topic for me. Still, I do realize just how inspiring and brave Katniss is as a character. She goes through so much, and continues to fight because she knows she needs to. She needs to protect those she loves, and that is all that matters to her.

5. Liesel Meminger - The Book Thief 
If you have read this book, you already know how amazing Liesel is; how much she goes through, and how she still seems to manage some faith in humanity. I feel like I would have given up if I were in her position, but that is why she is an inspiration. You fall in love with her, with everything about her, despite everything that she is struggling with. I believe that it shows young readers, and readers in general, that you can make it through life no matter how difficult it might become. She gives hope to people who are struggling.

I decided to keep the list at five this time, though if I'm being honest I could go on and on. As I think about the books I just read this week I can think of how each female lead could have made it on this list for one reason or another, and I LOVE that thought. That thought, on its own, is an inspiring one for me.

What about you? What do you think about YA heroines lately? Any that have inspired you that are not on the list? I would love to know!