As a self-proclaimed avid book reader, I've come across a variety of novels over the years that I absolutely adored. They are not as famous as "Harry Potter" or "The Hunger Games", but the books on this list are just as good, if not better. They fall into a variety of genres, hence "random" book recommendations for you to read anytime, anyplace! I hope these books will inspire you and touch your heart as they did mine. As Stephen King says, "Books are a uniquely portable magic."

1. "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand

This is an incredible true story of a World War II bomber who fought in the Pacific against Japanese forces. It follows Louie Zamperini's journey before, during, and after the war, specifically when everything headed south when his plane crash landed into the ocean, stranding he and two other crew mates at sea. His tale of survival and recovery is fascinating, as being lost at sea on a tiny raft with two other people is arguably not even the worst thing he goes through during the war. His story is a memorable one.

2. "The Host" by Stephanie Meyers

While the "Twilight" series by Meyers, in my opinion, left much to be desired, "The Host" is a much more riveting, well written tale. Earth has been occupied by aliens who take over living beings, or hosts, if you will, to support themselves. This story follows one such alien who occupies the mind of a young girl who was one of the last unoccupied humans, and had deep emotional connections to others who escaped the alien invasion and are living in seclusion. The alien and the girl battle for control of her mind and body while they search for the family the girl loved so much, and deal with complications once they are found. This is a very entertaining sci-fi, fantasy novel that I would highly recommend.

3. "The Song of Achilles" by Madeline Miller

For history nerds, this is definitely a great book for you. Miller's rich and talented writing brings to life the tale of Achilles before and during the Trojan War, through the eyes of his famed friend, Patroclus. While there are some liberties taken that aren't included in Homer's "The Iliad", it is a beautiful story of love, loss, and loyalty. Miller leaves no ambiguity regarding the nature of Achilles and Patroclus' relationship as lovers, whereas in Homer's "Illiad", it is very much unclear (although not necessarily improbable). It is an easy, but gorgeous read.

4. "Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

This one will sound a whole lot familiar - and that's because it is! Most people just watch the show, but the books are an incredible read. I will admit they are somewhat dense and confusing because there are a lot of characters to keep track of, but ultimately, this is a worthy read if you like the show or fantasy generally.

5. "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card

Unfortunately, as if often the case, this book was made into a sub-par movie recently. Despite that, the book stands for itself as an awesome sci-fi adventure about a boy named Ender. Something of a pariah in his hometown, he is judged to be worthy of training to be part of a space military force of sorts. The tone of this book is heavy, but still extremely interesting and worth a try. The author's command of storytelling is shocking and exciting, keeping you engaged through the last page.