It’s still kinda hard to believe it’s all over. That it’s really come to an end. There is no more Harry Potter. But that doesn’t mean our lives are over, it just means we have a little bit more time to reminisce about things from our pre-Potter days. Like other book series that used to get us giddy and excited.

Need a reminder? Look no further than what’s listed below.

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I work in a bookstore. I live and breathe books. I’m either ringing them up or, when I’m on my break, reading them, so I consider myself somewhat of an expert in the field. Most college ladies aren’t reading for pleasure these days. After reading all those books for class who wants to waste time on anything else?

Well, I’ve got a list of books here that are no waste. In fact, these are books that will change the way to think, the way you read and the way you view reading for pleasure. In that it may actually bring you some. I’m not selecting these books for their literary merit or their fantastic use of the English language. These are books that struck something in me, pulled at heartstrings, made me feel something. And I think that evoking such emotion is the only criteria for a great book.

In our desensitized world, when someone can make you feel so much with only paper and ink, I believe that’s an achievement.

1. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

Lolita was published in 1955, and when you read it, you can understand why there is so much hype surrounding it. It tells the story of Humbert Humbert, a man who claims he can never love adult women, only children. He calls them “nymphets” and one day stumbles upon the perfect nymphet, Dolores Haze. The book chronicles his love for Dolores, but what I found to be fascinating was how you eventually sympathize with Humbert, even though nowadays his picture would be plastered all over “Dateline.” Read More »