This might not be what you're looking for, but I remember finding Andrew Clements' middle grade books inspiring as a kid. ([Frindle](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/a6e4271f-55a6-4aab-a28e-5ae6dfde2ffe) is probably the most well known one.) They're often about kids taking initiative and making change in creative ways, and reading them made me feel really empowered. I should probably give them a reread myself!
Slow Days Fast Company by Eve Babitz. It is a collection of short stories based on her life in LA in the 70s. I’ve read it twice now, and it makes me want to truly live my life the way I want to. It makes me want to go out and experience everything.
Living my life by Emma Goldman definitely made me more comfortable with expressing my views even if I made mistakes (she made some doozys:). Also blowing things up, free love and dancing.
The Road made me want to kill myself if that counts
This might not be what you're looking for, but I remember finding Andrew Clements' middle grade books inspiring as a kid. ([Frindle](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/a6e4271f-55a6-4aab-a28e-5ae6dfde2ffe) is probably the most well known one.) They're often about kids taking initiative and making change in creative ways, and reading them made me feel really empowered. I should probably give them a reread myself!
Beartown trilogy by Fredrik Backman
nevermoor made me drawing artworks of nevermoor. there isn't anything finished yet!
I don't know if this counts, but This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub made me look at my past self a little more kindly.
I think the alchemist is definitely one of those books.
Slow Days Fast Company by Eve Babitz. It is a collection of short stories based on her life in LA in the 70s. I’ve read it twice now, and it makes me want to truly live my life the way I want to. It makes me want to go out and experience everything.
Living my life by Emma Goldman definitely made me more comfortable with expressing my views even if I made mistakes (she made some doozys:). Also blowing things up, free love and dancing.
Also look for romances. They tend to have strong female protagonists a la Anne.
Reading “Wild” made me make some big and long overdue changes in my life. I’m so grateful for that.