I remember my first book fair in primary school. I asked my mum for some money, imagining all the books I could choose from. She’d taken my sister and I to numerous bookstores before, but this was the first time I would buy a book on my own. Walking in, the library had transformed into something unrecognizable. I wanted everything. Did I really need that horse book with the sparkly necklace? Nope, but I grabbed it anyway. Then another book caught my eye: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. It came with a cool pen, and I couldn’t resist. Looking back, I never imagined that a simple pen could be the start of much more; it sparked my love of reading and my love for the fantasy worlds I still get lost in today. This November, I’m thankful for the authors who have made a lasting impression on me. These are my thank-you letters to them, and I hope they resonate with you too!
Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
When I first bought The Lightning Thief, one read was not enough. I went back to it over and over, wanting to remember every detail. I’d try to explain the story to my family and friends, talking about the gods, the monsters, and how Percy always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time (totally not his fault, just unlucky). I returned to my school library with a new goal: learning more about the mythological gods Riordan had brought to life. I headed towards the back shelves, and from there, I fell deeper into the world of Greek mythology. What started with Percy Jackson led me to The Iliad, The Odyssey, and even a Greek Mythology class at the UofA. Years later, with reprints of the iconic covers and a new, thriving TV adaptation, it’s comforting to see that Percy Jackson still creates the same excitement he did for me when I was a kid. Percy wasn’t just a demigod on a page; he was my introduction to a world that made me fall in love with reading. Thank you, Rick Riordan, for taking me on the odyssey that started everything.
Lightlark by Alex Aster
When my friend recommended Lightlark to me, they told me to think of the sun and the moon. That simple metaphor intrigued me, but what really drew me in was the cover. A bright red heart with flowers growing out of it, against a dark black background with gold lettering. It’s beautiful, and one of my favorite cover designs ever. My favorite books are stories with life-or-death stakes, lots of magic, and the kind of fantasy that makes you forget the real world. Lightlark gave me all of that and more. Every character has their own distinct qualities, backgrounds, and motivations. Reading this series has reminded me why fantasy will always be my favorite genre. I could be immersed in a book for hours, just me, my dog, and some ambient music adding to my immersion. Thank you, Alex Aster, for reminding readers like me why fantasy is so magical, and why it will always be a staple genre, no matter my age.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
A couple of years ago, I fell out of love with reading. Life got tough, and that fiery passion to get lost in a story had disappeared into thin air. Then one day, while reminiscing with my mum about our old story time adventures, I started missing that nostalgic feeling of curling up in my blanket and flipping through book pages. So, I decided to make a trip to the bookstore. I didn’t have a plan; I just wanted a book that felt like me. I grabbed a hot drink from the cafe and wandered through the store until I saw her: Brianna “Bree” Matthews. Seeing a reflection of myself on the cover shocked me. The same skin color, even the same hair texture. It felt too good to be true, so I read the synopsis. Bree is a strong, powerful Black girl attending college in North Carolina who discovers a secret magical society connected to the legend of King Arthur. With elements of fantasy, mystery, and self-discovery, the story brought back that same feeling I had in primary school. The Legendborn Cycle was everything I needed at the time. The way Tracy Deonn blends English myths with African roots truly resonates with me, because I am both. Seeing two worlds that make up my identity come together seamlessly was incredible. Because of her, I fell back in love with reading. She even inspired my upcoming trip to BookCon next April. Just thinking about seeing the person who made me feel seen and reignited my love for books is a dream come true. Thank you, Tracy Deonn, for showing me what it feels like to see myself as the main character and for rekindling my love of reading.
Truthfully, I don’t know where I’d be without my books and the impact they’ve had on me growing up. I’m so grateful for all the stories and journeys I’ve explored, and I wouldn’t change a thing. These authors have taken me to places I could only dream of, introduced me to characters I’ll never forget, and left me with a feeling you rarely get in real life. Books have shaped who I am, and I’m thankful to all the authors who brought these magical worlds to life.
Keonte Emerson, Pine Reads Review Writer, Editor, and Social Media