1. Holes by Louis Sachar 

The first book I finished this past month was Holes, one of my favorite books from middle school. I know, it's a kid's book so why is a 20-year-old college student reading this? Well, I'm taking a Literature and Film class, and my professor wanted to get us to unwind so our last assignment of the semester was to read Holes. I can't tell you enough how much I love reading this book, and how exact it is to the movie (which is one of my fav's too!). I love books that bring stories together. Kissin' Kate Barlow is one of my favorite characters! 

Verdict: If you haven't read this, go pick it up! If you've got little ones in your life, read it together! 

2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky 

This was another assignment, although I got to choose this one. My partner and I did a film and novel analysis for our last presentation. 

I think I first read this two years ago, but it's such a great story and I realized I should have put it in my list of 5 Books to Read Before You Turn 21. If you haven't read this yet, go pick up a copy and sit down for a few hours; you'll have this done in less than a day. You get so immersed into Charlie's thoughts and you won't be able to put it down. 

Charlie's a relatable character for those high school misfits, or any high school kid that just doesn't belong. He's just trying to find his niche in life, but unfolds a lot of "heavy shit" that he's needed to deal with half of his life. The characters are so real that you forget that they're just words on paper. 

Verdict: What are you doing with your life? What do you mean you haven't read Perks yet? Do you hate yourself (Please go get it)? 

3. A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin

Here we really get into the scandal that is the world of Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire. With five kings in the realm and Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and of the First Men, all of the plots begin to unfold.

I really love Bran's point of view, and how you can see through Jon, Bran, and Arya, how they're all seeing through the eyes of their wolves. I don't want to spoil too much, but I thought this was pretty exact to the second season of the TV series. 

Verdict: Of course you should read this series. I tell everyone I meet they should read this series. 

4. The World's Great Civilizations: The Rise and Fall of Nations, From the Ancients to Today by Life 

I picked these next two books up at Barnes and Noble. I really love history books and I thought that this would make a great addition to my personal library. It has dozens of great civilizations and a little history on them, along with pictures of ruins and the remains left behind. 

Verdict: For anyone who's a little nerdy and interested in these kinds of things, this book is for you. It's a great way to pass time and flip through the pages. 

5. Mysteries in History: A Journey Through the Great Unanswered Questions of Our Time

Mystery stuff truly intrigues me, and this is the kind of stuff that will keep me up all night just thinking about everything! This goes over the Mayans, the ancient pyramids, conspiracies, freemasonry, and my favorite, dinosaurs! This is kind of one of those books with a little bit of everything in it. 

Verdict: If you're like me and like knowing about the unknown, go get this!