Books That Changed My Life

Why did I start reading? Why do I still read so much? A reflection on the books that (I believe) changed my life—and the stories behind them.

Some books shape you. They open doors to new worlds, shift your perspective, and leave a mark—sometimes forever. I wanted to share how my journey with reading began and a few of those books that changed something in me.

How It All Started

I’m the youngest of four siblings, which basically meant I had a lot of freedom... and not always a lot of attention. I had access to my oldest siblings’ books, so I learned to read early and devoured entire collections of Astérix and Tintin, whose adventures mesmerized me.

One key turning point for me was a teacher who made a deal with us: for every four books you read, you’d earn a top-grade point that would count toward your final mark. That was all the motivation I needed. I wasn’t reading for the love of literature at first—it was all about the quantity. But through that, I accidentally stumbled upon the joy of reading.

Around the same time, my father made a house rule that had a big impact on me: for every hour of reading, I could watch one hour of TV. That was during the TV boom of the late '70s and early '80s, and like most kids, I was glued to the screen. But suddenly, books became the key to accessing that other world I loved—so I read, and read, and read.

From Quantity to Quality: Discovering the Power of Great Literature

It wasn’t until I studied at Atlantic College, in Wales, aged 16, that I truly discovered the quality of literature. The credit goes to an exceptional Spanish literature teacher who introduced me to two life-changing novels: Cien años de soledad by Gabriel García Márquez and La ciudad y los perros by Mario Vargas Llosa. Interestingly, they both lived in Barcelona and were close friends (until they famously fell out, a story captured in the book Los Genios). These two literary giants, both Nobel Prize winners, opened my eyes to the depth and emotional power of language.

As a bit of an author groupie, I once ran into García Márquez at a restaurant. I sprinted home, grabbed my entire collection, and returned… with a suitcase full of books for him to sign. It was 3:30 a.m. by the time I got them all signed!

When Work Inspired me to Read

I lived three years in Mozambique, from 2004 to 2007. During that time, I became deeply interested in books about Africa, especially those by Ryszard Kapuściński, who captured the continent’s complexities in works like Ébano.

My work on causes of death also led me down a reading rabbit hole into forensic science, with books like All That Remains. In the realm of science dissemination, Far from the Tree by Andrew Solomon stood out for how it challenges assumptions about identity and difference—like how some Deaf parents hope their children are also Deaf, seeing it not as a disability but as a distinct and valuable trait, and as a way to preserve a “sense of closed community”. Other books about medicine I’ve found fascinating include The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and The Family That Couldn’t Sleep.

For me it’s just as important, though, to read books that confront the darker chapters of research history, like those on the thalidomide catastrophe or Nazi human experimentation. It's worth trying to understand that not everything is valid to progress in science.

Unusual Obsessions: Cults, Climbers, and Fiction That Hits Close to Home

Some of my reading interests veer into the unexpected. As a teenager, I had a strange fear of being pulled into a cult, which sparked a fascination with books like El poder de las sectas, in which the author infiltrated cults and shared his experiences. That curiosity grew into a broader interest in deception—not impostor syndrome, but real impostors, people pretending to be someone they’re not.

Another recurring theme is climbing, particularly epic stories from the Himalayas. I’ve never climbed myself (Montjuïc is enough!), but I’m drawn to tales of endurance, tragedy, and loyalty at high altitudes.

Then there’s Patria, a beautifully written novel about Basque terrorism, and Two Brothers by Milton Hatoum, set in Manaus, Brazil (gratitude to Prof Marcus Lacerda, who introduced me to this author). It's a gripping tale about twins, another topic I’m oddly obsessed with. There’s something extra special about reading fiction set in a place you know… It deepens the whole experience.

A Few More Personal Favorites

If there’s one book I’ve gifted the most, it’s Silk by Alessandro Baricco—a short, poetic novel about a man traveling to Japan to buy silk. Just 120 pages, but unforgettable.

This year, I added La mala costumbre by Alana S. Portero to my list of must-reads. It tells the raw, powerful story of a transgender girl growing up in 1980s Madrid. It is harsh at times, but it is a much needed read in our current political context.

Though I once dreamed of becoming a photographer, I quickly realized I had no talent for it. So instead, I became a devoted admirer. My favourite, without a doubt, is Sebastião Salgado, whose work captures the landscapes of Africa and the Amazon, along with powerful portraits of the people living there. When a journalist once tried to label him “the photographer of misery,” Salgado calmly replied: “I’m not the photographer of misery. I’m the photographer of dignity.” That says it all.