Spring Break is just around the corner, as I’m sure all of you are well aware. You may be looking forward to going on a trip, staying at home, seeing friends, family, or maybe you’re just looking forward to relaxing without any homework in mind. Regardless, there is always room for a book by your side, and sometimes we need that escape from reality.

Recently, I have found myself being drawn to social media or something on tv, and I have realized that I’ve stopped reading for fun. I used to be a very avid reader, but my life got busy and my priorities changed. I am glad to say that I have started reading again, and I have realized that I have missed it. Now, some of you probably dislike reading, or, on the contrary, you love reading! No matter your stance, there is something for everyone on this (long) list, and sometimes reading is the thing that can rekindle the joy in our lives that we can find ourselves missing.

Over the fifteen years that I’ve been alive, I have read a lot of books, which is why I compiled a list of 30 books that I recommend reading. These are some of my absolute favorite books that I have read, and many of them have been adapted into a movie and/or television show, which I also encourage you to watch. The list is long, so feel free to jump around! The books aren’t in any specific order either, so, without further or do, I hope you decide to give one of them a try! Remember, don’t judge a book by its cover (see what I did there?)

1. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah- This is my favorite book of all time! This book is beautifully written and tells the story of two young sisters, Vianne and Isabel, in France during World War II. There’s romance, themes of sisterhood, and a whole lot of feminism. Make sure to bring out the tissues for this one though, because it’s a very emotional read. The book is around 500 pages, so it is longer than a typical book, but believe me when I say that it is worth every page. This novel is also soon to become a movie in which Elle and Dakota Fanning will star in.
2. Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery- This is a classic, but nonetheless a wonderful series. Personally, I have only read the first book, and the show Anne With An E on Netflix is based on the first book and partially the first half of the second book. The series follows a young brightly spirited girl whom a brother and sister adopt after they originally had wanted a boy. There is romance in the series, and there are plenty of hilarious scenes that are sure to make you laugh.
3. The Kingdom Keepers by Ridley Pearson- If you love Disney even half as much as I do then you will love this series! All of the characters are tasked with defeating the villains while keeping Disney World in Florida safe. It’s a gripping series and will take you on an exciting adventure, sparking vivid images of what might really happen behind the scenes at Disney.
4. The Selection Series by Kiera Cass- This book series isn’t new to many, but it’s very fun to go back and read! It is soon to be a movie on Netflix, and you definitely won’t want to miss it. If you like the Bachelor or the Bachelorette, this series is for you. You will find yourself rooting for which couples you want to end up together, as it follows the life of America Singer who enters into the Selection Competition in hopes of winning the Prince’s heart. However, while she doesn’t really want to be there, romance isn’t too far out of reach.
5. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan- If you’ve seen the movie, you will love the series! I’ve only read the first novel, but it was amazing. You will get to learn the backstory behind more of the characters, and you can keep reading to find out what might happen in the next movie.
6. Becoming by Michelle Obama- I read this autobiography last summer, and it was the best book I read during that time. It’s a touching and intimate book, in which Michelle Obama shares a lot of unknown truths about her and her family. I highly recommend this read, and I guarantee you will learn something new about her. There is also a film on Netflix about this as well.
7. I Am Malala by Christina Lamb and Malala Yousafzai- This is also a wonderful autobiography about the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. It is evident that Malala is one of the bravest and smartest advocates for women and education in the world. This is truly an inspiring read, that hopefully sparks some much-needed change in our world.
8. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen- This is yet another classic, and you really can’t go wrong with any of Jane Austen’s pieces. The story is centered around a young woman named Elizabeth Bennett, a feminist of her time, who is supposed to be finding a suitable husband, according to her family. Then there is Mr. Darcy, the cold, reserved, man who is secretly after Elizabeth’s heart. There is also a movie adaption of the book which is equally as good.
9. The Color Of Lies by C.J. Lyons- This is a spectacular mystery that takes a surprising turn of events. The story follows a young girl named Ella whose parents died in a fire which might not have been an accident. Also, she has synesthesia, meaning that she can read the colors that surround people and their personalities. She befriends an attractive journalist named Alec, and she starts to figure out who she can really trust in her life.
10. Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly- This is yet another phenomenal read that inspired the movie by the same name. The book’s main protagonists are Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughan, who are mathematicians and scientists at NASA. They had the disadvantage of being women and African American at the time due to gender inequality and segregation, but still, they persevered.
11. The Crossover by Kwame Alexander- This book has received many awards, as it should have. This book is composed entirely of free verse poetry about a young boy who plays basketball and manages the dynamics of a loving, yet slightly complicated family life. I know this might not sound like the most interesting description, but I wouldn’t have put it on this list if it wasn’t worth your time. Also, poetry is underrated in my opinion, and this book is just too good to go without reading.
12. The Girl and The Blue Coat by Monica Hesse- This is a very thrilling book, as it is set in Amsterdam during World War II. The protagonist, Hanneke, works as a receptionist, and secretly works as a trader on the black market too. It is a very well-researched novel, meaning it is historically accurate, and it is an interesting mystery.
13. The Maze Runner by James Dashner- If you love adventure novels, then this is the series for you. There is also a movie series as well, which is action-packed. Anyways, I read this entire series in about 2-3 weeks, because I couldn’t put it down, and there are five books in the series! The story follows Thomas, who wakes up to find himself stranded in the middle of a labyrinth maze, hence the name, not knowing how he got there. He befriends others in the maze, but he needs to find a way out, not to mention the fact that there are monsters that find humans tasty.
14. The Mother-Daughter Bookclub by Heather Vogel Frederick- This book is recommended for middle schoolers, but it is a really sweet series. You could read this with a younger sibling, but regardless of your age, you can relate to the time when middle school was all the rage. The main theme is friendship, and the mothers and daughters read the classic, and as they grow, so does their friendship which is displayed throughout the series.
15. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee- This is a classic, and you will probably find yourself encountering it some time or another during your English Literature “career” at school. The story deals with themes of race, and law, but also how some things can be so clear to children, while adults complicate the reality of our world.
16. Lovely War by Julie Berry- Though the title is an oxymoron in many ways, the book is beautiful. The story follows the accounts of four different people and their experiences during both World War I and World War II. There is a pianist, a soldier, a Belgian girl with a broken heart and the voice of an angel, and a musical genius. Their stories are heartwarming, and the book gives an interesting look at how in some ways war can be lovely.
17. Once and For All by Sarah Dessen- Sarah Dessen is the queen of young adult romance novels in many ways, and this book is one of my favorites of hers. Louna, the main character, finds herself grieving the loss of her first love until she meets a guy at a wedding. This story is touching and reveals how love doesn’t always come without pain.
18. Solo by Kwame Alexander- If you already didn’t get my hint from above (The Crossover), then here it is again. Personally, I liked this book better than The Crossover, but they are both fantastic. It is in the form of free verse poetry, and Alexander writes about a boy named Blade who finds himself in the shadow of his famous father who is dealing with an addiction problem. Blade learns a shocking secret that turns his world upside down and turns to music in hopes that he can rediscover himself.
19. Field Notes On Love by Jennifer E. Smith- This was a surprisingly touching story! I didn’t think I would like this book, but I finished it in a day. It’s about two teenagers, a girl and a boy, who meet each other on a train and travel together. The boy had just split from his ex-girlfriend and was in need of a guest who had the same name as her so that he could still travel. Also, he is British, and she’s American, and it is a very sweet story!
20. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins- Believe it or not, I hadn’t read the series until this past summer, but it’s just one of those books that you really should read. Also, I’m team Peeta, so fight me I guess. The books have been adapted into a film series, starring Jennifer Lawerence, and if you’ve been looking for a sign to read this series, HERE IT IS! Enjoy!
21. The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon- This is also one of my favorite books and movies! The book is centered around a young girl named Natasha, and when a boy named Daniel saves her life, they have an instant connection. The catch, you ask? Well, she is about to be deported, and he convinces her that he can make her fall in love with him in just a day. Will it work?
22. The Siren by Kiera Cass- Kiera Cass is such a fantastic author, and this is a quick read that is well worth your time. The story is centered around a young woman who is a siren, but cannot use her voice unless she has the intention to kill. So, what happens when she meets a boy that she starts to fall in love with?
23. Matched by Allie Condie- This trilogy is amazing! I first found this series at my local library and I looked at the cover and was honestly like “huh?”. Trust me, these books are so good. I wasn’t a fan of the second book, but if you persevere through to the third one you will not be disappointed. The book is about a dystopian society, and the citizens are “matched” with their job and partner at just 17 years old. It’s a fascinating take on what our world could be like.
24. Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch- This is a light read that will give you that summer feeling. It’s sweet and simple, sort of like a Hallmark Movie! It’s about a girl named Lina who spends the summer in Italy after her mother prompts her to embark on an adventure, all while reading her mother’s journal that she wrote while there.
25. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han- If you’ve seen the series on Netflix, you will fall in love with the books. The story is focused on a teenage girl named Lara Jean who makes a pact with the hot jock of the high school to become fake boyfriend and girlfriend, but is their relationship truly fake?
26. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer- Though the movies are pretty cheesy, the books are not. We all know the classic love story (and triangle) between Bella and Edward (the Vampire). This one is a classic teenage romance with a twist, and you should definitely read it sometime in your life.
27. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard- This book series is out of this world!! If the cover isn’t alluring enough for you, my recommendation better be. The series revolves around a society in which there are red and silver blooded citizens. However, Mare (the Main Character) soon realizes that she is both. This book has themes of power, romance, and it’s a book you never knew you needed.
28. Divergent by Veronica Roth- This is yet another amazing trilogy, and it is considered to be a dystopian novel. The books have been adapted into movies, and they follow the different castes and rules of a society that in many ways feels, and hopefully is, out of reach. Tris befriends Four, as they embark on a daunting journey of learning the truth.
29. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah- This is a truthfully raw account of both the joys and trials that come with friendship. The book has recently been adapted into a television series on Netflix, and it is truly a beautiful story that will touch your heart. Kate and Tully became best friends in high school, and the book follows their journey of how their friendship continues to grow, and how their lives change over time.
30. Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon- This is also a wonderful book, and it follows the story of a girl who is forced to be isolated from society because she has an extremely weak immune system. Then she meets the boy who just moved in next door, who opens her eyes to what she is missing, prompting her to be a little rebellious and carefree.