One morning, after I came back from my latest semester at school, I found myself sitting in a park with two whole hours to kill. The only thing I had on my person was my phone, keys and wallet. It was so unusual to suddenly free from the burden of school work and away from all of my school friends that, for a second, I wasn’t quite sure what to do with myself. Until I looked around and saw something that had once been one of my favorite places to spend a couple free hours: a bookshop. I suddenly realized just how long it had been since I had actually read for pleasure!

I went inside and picked out a book by an author I had read before and found myself, for the first time in a while, unable to put the hardcover down. As a result I decided to put together a list of books that I would challenge myself to read all in one summer.

Recommended for you

15 Books That Will Make You Feel Something

My Recommended Reading List

1) Me Before You

The movie based off this book came out just last week. A friend and I decided last minute to see a late showing. To be honest, I cry a lot in movies, and this was no exception. I'm sure the book will need to come with a tissue box as well.

2) Slaughterhouse Five

This is a book that I started reading in my junior year of high school. My best friend had always said it was one of her favorite books and so I started reading it on the beach on her kindle. I made it through the first chapter and seemed to be enjoying myself. We left the beach and I didn't pick up the book for about six months and I re-read the first chapter. This, somehow, has happened over and over again. I think its time I get past the first chapter and actually get to find about more than "My name is Yon Yonson, I come from Wisconsin, I work in the lumber mill there."

3) Bossy Pants

Tina Fey is, without a doubt, one of my favorite women. I think she is a hilarious inspiration for any young woman hoping to make it in the world. I can't wait to read her book and discover how she became the awesome, successful and badass woman she is today.

4) Wild

Wild has been recommended to me on numerous occasions. Its a book about a long hiking journey that helps a woman find herself. Apparently I will be able to relate. Its a book about strength, determination and freedom.

5) Americanah

I recently read the script to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's TEDx presentation "We Should All be Feminists," and was immediately inspired. She is an inspirational woman and I am so excited to read one of her books.

6) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime

I want to read this book mostly because I have seen the play based off of it twice. The play is an incredibly moving piece of work. I have also read other works by Mark Haddon and could barely put the book down. His style is simple and captivating and makes the reader feel constantly immersed in his words.

7) Big Magic

I've been slowly working myself through this book throughout the school year, reading a chapter every now and then when I get a chance before I get to bed. Essentially, it serves as a reminder to look for creativity in every aspect of your life and not let great opportunities get away from you.

8) The Girl on the Train

To be honest, I have absolutely no idea what this book is about. A good friend of mine gave me the book last summer and it ended up in a pile under my bed. Recently, however, I saw the trailer for the movie based off the book that will be coming out soon and was immediately enthralled, confused and curious about the plot.

9) The Goldfinch

This award winning novel has been recommended to me over and over again and I think its about time that I actually give it a chance.

10) Bad Feminist

This is a collection of essays that examine what it is to be a woman in the modern world. There is so much controversy and attention in public media right now about what it means to be a feminist. I am excited to read a collection of insightful arguments about one woman's experience as a feminist.

11) Divergent

To be honest, this book is definitely going to be my most guilty pleasure on this list. It made it to the list at the last second because, stuck inside on a rainy day, I decided to watch the movies. I became, though I hate to admit it, slightly obsessed with the movies and ended up watching all three in just one day... So I decided that I just had to read the series as well this summer.