I’m not necessarily talking about the protagonist being the same age as when you first read it or anything like that. Just books that made you think “This probably wouldn’t have hit me as much as it did if I read this younger/older”. I find it fascinating how books mold and evolve with us as we change.
This question is extremely subjective, books hold different meanings for everyone so even if you don’t have specific names in mind, I’d love to hear your personal experiences!!
Some examples from me:
Read Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman at 16. I’m so glad I did because it was an eye-opening introduction to feminist literature (would’ve been a poor introduction to the ideology itself but I digress). If I had read it any later than 18 I know I would’ve appreciate it waaayyy less (and would probably end up hating it).
If I had read Normal People by Sally Rooney in high school I’m 100% certain I would’ve LOVED it. But I read it in my final year at uni and ended up hating it. Not because it’s set in high school at the beginning but because all throughout the book it felt like I was reading a bunch of kids going in circles rather than a ‘twin flame’ connection so to say. Miscommunication doesn’t work for me anymore.
On the other hand, I read The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath at 17. It defo had a profound impact on my teenage self, but I sometimes wish I had waited a few years to grow more into womanhood. I can't help but wonder how much more soul-touching it would've been if I had read it for the first time as a 20-something