The most inspiring books about finding yourself (for senstivie teenage girls)

This was my favourite adventure series as a teenager - set in pre-historic times - and remains embedded in my heart because the main character, Ayla, had such a beautiful balance of qualities that I hadn’t read in other female-led YA novels, and made me feel so empowered over my transition into womanhood.

She is fiercely brave, independent, smart, and courageous, but at the same time can be vulnerable, gentle, loving, and express qualities that are traditionally feminine. The way she navigates adversity and the challenges of being an outsider in a tribe who all look and behave differently to her is inspiring.

A true example of staying true to yourself regardless of external pressure to change.

Full of Sufi wisdom and fundamental human and spiritual truths, this book has the power to awaken something profound within the heart of any reader but is especially relevant for women on a path of finding, or in Ella’s case, re-finding herself.

As someone who read Rumi poetry books until the pages start falling out, Shafak’s thoroughly researched depiction of the relationship between Rumi and his Sufi master Shams was profoundly impactful.

It is so beautifully seeped with ancient wisdom and insights into the Sufi path walked by sincere seekers of love and freedom themselves I found myself hanging onto every page.

Interwoven with the modern day story of Ella - a woman who is on her own journey of self-discovery and redefining love, it is very acceptable to the modern reader.

This is a book of poetry, but it speaks so deeply to the exquisite beauty, simple joy, and profound presence available at the heart of us all, if we are quiet and still enough to listen.

People who are already sensitive seem to drop into this space more fluidly than others, more consumed by the outer world because they are, by nature, closer to the source and often more aware of the subtle forces that run beneath the surface. These ‘ecstatic’ poems always help me return home to the space inside that reminds me what a blessing it is to have the capacity to feel so deeply.

The story of a curious young woman on a quest for knowledge and insights into the deeper mysteries of the world.

With the guidance of a wise shaman and a witch who have both walked the path of truth before her in different ways, she learns magic and how to overcome fear. It is a book that takes the reader on a journey alongside Brida and leaves space for one’s own moments of self-discovery, learning, and growth.

The title almost says enough. This is a deeply healing book for a shy, sensitive, introverted, or just generally quiet person who may not yet understand the power within feeling deeply and contemplating perhaps a little more than others.

Personally, this was a very intimate read that I wish I could have read as a teenager. It would have helped me sift through so much of the confusion of being a quiet-natured, introverted teen in a society that celebrates extraversion and loud voices.

Susan Cain’s gentle, deeply compassionate voice shines through the words, serving as an example of the power that can be conveyed through softness. It was a turning point in my journey of truly embracing my own softer nature and learning how to be unapologetic.