There’s no denying it, I honestly do not read as much as I should. Sure, sometimes I’ll pick up a random book and decide to give it a few chapters to capture me. But often times I choose Netflix over the latest novel. Even though I do not read as much as I like to, I do have some favorite books of my own. These books I have either read as part of a school assignment or on my own. These are my top five books.

5. The Great Gatsby

The first book on my list is a classic. Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925, The Great Gatsby is truly a book filled with a fantasy story of any average person. The reader has their mind filled with the most wild fantasy parties of the 1920’s and the best conflict a book has to offer. Although The Great Gatsby may not be for everyone, it can still offer something fascinating to any reader.

4. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

Before you go out to watch the movie, I highly suggest you read the book. The book is a dark mysterious story that has plenty to offer. From monsters to weird children, this book has the most interesting story to offer. If you end up enjoying this book then there are several others that follow it. The movie may be good but the book is better.

3. The Spiderwick Chronicles

The Spiderwick Chronicles when they first came out were not as popular as the Harry Potter series or even the Percy Jackson series, but as a child I was fully entwined in the story line. The magical creatures and make-believe world kept me hooked on the books. I loved the story-line and thought that the books were the most exciting things in the world. Sometimes as a young kid I would go outside and hunt for my own fantasy creatures. I would recommend this series to anyone wanting a good fantasy reading.

2. Chomp

Carl Hiaasen has been one of my favorite authors for a long time. He often writes about Florida, which intrigues a person that is in love with a tropical vibe. His book Chomp combines humor with wildlife to create a fascinating story. It is also very educational and teaches readers about the importance of protecting nature. This book is great for anyone that likes to read about animals and enjoys a tropical, laid-back vibe.

1. Lost in the River of Grass

This book is definitely for the outdoorsy type of person. Two teens get lost in the Everglades and have to find their way back. They run into everything from hoards of mosquitoes to full grown alligators. Personally, I loved this book because I am a very outdoorsy person and I loved how this book made me feel like I was outdoors the entire time. It was very descriptive, which helped to paint very vivid images in my mind. I could see every struggle that the main characters faced and even sometimes felt that I was there myself. I would highly recommend this book.