As I am now approaching 25 I thought it would be a great idea to look back on the books that defined my teen years. I have always been a big reader and this was something that could definitely be said about my teen years. At this time in my life, I was reading entire series of books in one go and getting through more than three books a week. 

The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

It would not be a best or top books post from me without at least one mention of Cassandra Clare. For me, her books have always been a huge part of my life. The Mortal Instruments in particular was one of the first times that I truly fell in love with an author and the worlds that she created. Her books have carried me through my teens straight into my adult years and I am still reading them to this day.

I can’t actually remember how old I was when I read City of Bones, but it must have been one of the first proper lore-rich books I read.

I think the main reason why I loved these books so much is that I found myself relating to traits from certain characters. Also, Cassandra Clare created a book world where for the first time in my life I found myself wanting to be there and be a part of the action. It probably sounds pretty lame, but I definitely wanted to be a shadowhunter in my teen years. 

Synopsis: When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder― much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing―not even a smear of blood―to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know…

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini 

I did a re-read of the first book recently and I have to say, I still really like this series. I’m yet to re-read the rest of the series, but I’m definitely planning to do so at some point. I worried it was too juvenile for me now, but it’s not.

I’m a massive fan of Greek mythology and this series has such an interesting take on it. The whole series is also quite a quick read. Once you get stuck into book two, you are desperate to know what is going on.

I read this entire series back-to-back when I was probably around thirteen and it was an absolute obsession for me. Being at school then meant I didn’t have much time to read, but I remember coming home from school and reading these books all night.

Synopsis: How do you defy destiny?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is – no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it’s getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she’s haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood… and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they’re destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together – and trying to tear them apart.

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