DISCUSSION POST: What book(s) were the catalyst for your book obsession?

After many inquiries through email from other bloggers and readers, I decided to start a discussion post about a book or series of books that influenced your reading obsession.  For me, it is very easy to narrow this down. Let me give you a little background history first.

After high school, I was done with anything that involved opening a book.  Like any teen who leaves the world of school behind, I was happy to never have to read a "required reading" anytime soon.  You see, I didn't go to college after high school -- at least not right away.  I wanted to focus on family and love first.  I had children at a young age and married young as well.  The only thing I read was books to my children and magazines that I had picked up at the store.  I was determined not to step foot in a library as well.

As my children grew, and my oldest daughter became a teen, I noticed that she loved to read.  I never discouraged reading to my children.  If they wanted a book to read, I bought it for them.  Just because I had lost interest in reading didn't mean I was going to keep it from children.  When my oldest daughter came to me asking for the Twilight series, I purchased it for her.  She was constantly telling me that I just had to read them! I was getting recaps of this story each night from her.  I kept putting her off and didn't read them as they came out.  Finally I caved and read them but not until Breaking Dawn was already on the shelves at stores.

I started Twilight after the kids went to school one morning, and needless to say I forgot to pick my children up from school that day.  I was in awe of the story and couldn't put it down.  I couldn't believe reading a book could be so enjoyable!  I quickly finished the whole series within a matter of 2 days.  Afterward, I needed more books to devour.  The Twilight Series corrupted me.

I now own more than 2000 books with an entire room in my house filled with 8 bookcases! Each one has rows of books stacked twice on it and I still need more! When I am asked what  I want for a gift, I always say either books or gift cards to buy more books!

"Hello, my name is Amy.  I am addicted to books.  No I do not plan to get help."

My questions for you is this--- What book or series of books started your obsession of reading? Have you always enjoyed reading or did it take a certain authors work to spark it again?