In seventh grade in the late sixties, I found Outlines of Roman History in the school library.
I read it and instantly fell in love with history in general and Roman history in particular.
Many years after that (but still a long time ago) I found a copy at a used book store and had to pick it up.
At the same time I was reading all Jules Verne. Dr Ox's Experiment was a favorite.
It also kindled a love of SiFi. So much so that I have about 700 SiFi books in boxes in the basement. I probably should pull some of them out and start rereading.
One of my favorite authors was Cordwainer Smith. If you like weird and wonderful SiFi and have never heard of him, check him out.
Strange universes on par with Frank Herbert.