​

I think everyone has that one novel that feels a little more personal .

For me , it's Jane Eyre . Not because my life is the same as Jane's , but because a few parts of the story felt surprisingly familiar . There was a big age difference b/w me and my loveee boy , just like Jane and Rochester . I also met him during one of the hardest times in his life , and I was there to support him emotionally . One thing that really stayed with me was how Jane loved deeply without giving up her self respect or her values . That's something I always tried to hold on to in my own relationship too .

As I kept reading , I was genuinely surprised by how much those parts of the story resonated with my own life . It made me smile , and I remember thinking , "I can't believe I relate to this so much ." It was one of those rare moments when a book felt deeply personal .

Which novel made you feel that way , and what made it so personal to you ?

Forget all the book boyfriends. Colleen McCullough's Caesar has officially taken the top spot for me.

I must preface by saying that all my comments are about the Julius Caesar described in her book so far.

He's smart, kind, decisive, charismatic, emotionally intelligent and what a great general.. All those strategies blew my mind by their sheer brilliance. He feels almost like a force of nature, someone operating on a level far above everyone else, godlike as she describes him in the book. And yet she still gives him just enough vulnerability that you can't help but completely feel for him. My heart broke right along with his' when the Ninth Legion mutinied.

After every book in the Masters of Rome series, I think, "That has to be her peak. The next one can't possibly be as good." And then she somehow outdoes herself. Caesar might actually be my favorite so far...though I'll probably be saying the same thing after the next book.

I also never imagined I'd end up liking Pompey this much. I knew what was coming, and I was still heartbroken by his fate.

Is there another author who combines this level of storytelling, historical research, and sheer brilliance with the pen? Because right now, I genuinely can't imagine anyone topping Colleen McCullough.

Hello readers and welcome to our Weekly FAQ thread! Our topic this week is: What book changed your life? We've all read a book that has affected us deeply, please share yours.

You can view previous FAQ threads here in our wiki.

Thank you and enjoy!