1. The Classic

Trust me, classics are way better when you aren't reading them just to analyze them for a professor. There's a reason these gems are called classics. You just have to find the right one for you. The best part about classic literature is how smart you'll feel when you can talk to your parents about it and drop references randomly into conversations.

My classic for this summer is "20 Thousand Leagues Under The Sea" by Jules Verne. I'm cheating a bit because I am technically reading it for a class, but I had already started it on my own, so I think it counts.

2. The Beach Read

You know the books I am talking about. The books that are so fluffy that they almost aren't books, but you can't put them down, and you miss their simplicity when they're over. These can be steamy romances, stories of friendship, or the book that inspired your favorite T.V. show. Bonus points if the story actually involves a beach.

My beach read for the summer is "Orange is The New Black" by Piper Kerman. This may be cheating a bit, since it's not exactly light and fluffy. But, I just finished it and thought it was an easy, enjoyable read that addressed the American penal system, which I think is an important topic.

**Added bonus: I'm now extra ready for the season premier. If you're looking for something even lighter, check out this list.

Beyond enjoyment, people read to learn, right? I think it's always important to read about issues you're not familiar with (or issues you are familiar with and want to know more about). Books that open your eyes to seeing the world from a lens you're not used to are best for the summer, when you have time to really dig into them and discuss them with your friends.

My choice for this summer is a book I've been meaning to read for a long time, "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander.

4. The Thriller

If you're going to be afraid of the dark, it's best if the nights are at least shorter than normal. Upgrade your campfire ghost stories by reaching for a thriller. The best part about these books is having an excuse to keep your friends up all night with you.

I read my first Stephen King novel last fall and fell in love. This summer I want to read another of his novels, "The Dark Half." Luckily, I can sleep with the lights on!

5. The Young Adult Novel

YA gets a bad rap a lot of the time, especially for all of us that are trying to prove we're grown up and all that. Despite that, fiction for young adults is generally a safe bet, especially if you pick a really popular series. Beyond that, a lot of these novels are now addressing pretty heavy topics without being dense reads.

This summer I hope to read "Red Queen" by Victoria Aveyard. It's a new novel, Aveyard's first, and it seems like an interesting mix between fantasy and realism (it's based on issues of class).