The holidays grant us much needed downtime, and having the time to dive into a good book is one of the reasons I look forward to the break. After a summer of good reads, I have compiled a list of my favorite novels in the hopes of intriguing a few readers.

1. "Luckiest Girl Alive"

via: amandanicolebooks

This book was an absolute page turner. I'm a sucker for a New York City setting and an ambitious woman as the lead, and Jessica Knoll provides both in this thriller. This novel starts out painting a picture of Ani FaNelli's perfect life, but that glamorous reality doesn't last long with the dark turns and twists throughout the story.

2. "Inferno"

via: dailymail.co.uk

Dan Brown's writing is absolutely enthralling. He is so talented and intelligent, and through his novel "Inferno," Brown incorporates an enticing story along with an Italian history lesson. Although it is much more substantial than most books I am drawn to, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking read.

3. "Girl on The Train"

via: inspiredbylynne

If you're traveling for the holidays, this is the perfect read for you. This book reveals the life of a troubled woman that's looking for the answers to an unsolved mystery of a woman's disappearance. Paula Hawkins had me taking a closer look at people during my daily commute, which added additional suspense to the unfolding story.

4. "The Underwriting"

via: amazon.com

Three words to describe this book: steamy, scandalous and smart. Michelle Miller provides a behind-the-scenes look into six young hopefuls working to launch a Silicon Valley IPO. This novel delves into the ultra competitive lives of millennials, which left me feeling more motivated than ever.

5. "Me Before You"

via: oohlalexi.com

Although I'm not much into romantic novels, or those that pull at your heart strings, Jojo Moyes did a fantastic job with this read. Through her writing, Moyes asks her audience, "What do you do when making the person you love happy also means breaking your own heart?" This book definitely had me thinking about it long after I was finished reading.