“You would love this book!” is a line I’ve been told all too many times. As someone who never before had a particular interest in reading, I would roll my eyes at this line more times than I can count. However, these five books were the ones that kickstarted my interest in reading and deepened my love and respect for literature. Here are the five you should read, whether you have been reading for ages or are just starting now!

1. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

I was extremely surprised by this book. After reading the first few chapters, I have to say that I was thrown off a little. I won’t give anything away, but let’s just say it was intense. However, as the book goes on and the character development begins to increase, I found that this book was just as charming and funny as everyone says it is. A Man Called Ove is all about a grumpy old man who, in the face of millennials and new technology, attempts to maintain his very structured way of life (that he likely got from his father). Backman depicts a charismatic and engaging story that makes you think about the transformations we go through and how different life events shape us and our personality.

2. Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf

Our Souls at Night is one of my favorite books. An easy and charming read, Kent Haruf uses the story of a widowed man and woman to ask one crucial question: when is it okay to move on? When Addie and Louis, the main characters of the book, decide it’s time to move on from tragedy, they end up facing lots of adversity from family and friends. Gossip, however, would not make them change their minds. This story made me feel all kinds of emotions as Haruf depicts the importance of finding love later in life. A touching and heart-warming read that I 10/10 would recommend.

3. Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle

Boyle is a charismatic and interesting writer. The founder of Homeboy Industries, Boyle is a Jesuit who was sent to work with gangs and gang violence in the projects of Los Angeles. While this is a book about his journey through religion, you definitely don’t have to be religious to read it. Rather, Tattoos on the Heart is a touching collection of stories from Boyle’s work with gangs in LA. It recounts many people and events that allowed him to see God’s work, even in the hardest of times. It has a fair amount of talk about God and religion, however, the main theme of the book relates more to the power of compassion and understanding and how we can connect to those who are different to us. I have found it to be one of the most powerful and influential books I’ve read yet.

4. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

A thoroughly captivating and brilliant mystery, Big Little Lies describes the struggles of ex-husbands, family, and living life as a mother in the 21^st Century (especially in the face of murder and mistrust!). Liane Moriarty uses the stories of three women, all from different backgrounds, to force you to think about not only the lies people tell, but also the lengths you would go to for the sake of your family. I absolutely loved this book. I was constantly captivated and found that I couldn’t put it down! Would recommend for anyone who loves murder mystery with a strong plotline.

5. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

In case you live under a rock, The Fault in Our Stars is all about a girl, Hazel Grace, and a boy, Augustus, who meet at a Cancer Kid Support Group. Just one of John Green’s fantastic and insightful novels, this story was later turned into a movie in 2014. Honestly, I have never cried so much at a book. Admittedly, I may have gotten way too attached to Hazel and Augustus, but it’s hard not to with Green’s writing style and the way he draws you into the lives of his characters. You will laugh, cry, smile, and fall in love with the way this book portrays love and finding life in the midst of fear and tragedy.

Let the fun begin!