As a lover of the literary arts, my favorite thing about summer is the endless reading time. Also the endless binge watching time, but that's a different topic. So in honor of the impending heat, here are some recommendations on what to read while safely inside with the air conditioning on. Or outside, if you enjoy being roasted alive.

The Anti-Hero:

Everyone's a hero in their own mind, right? I love superheroes, and if you're anything like me, you enjoy their morally flexible counterparts just as much. Here's what I recommend if you want to read about some morally questionable characters this summer:

VICIOUS by V.E. Schwab

This book tells the tale of two college roommates and brilliant scientists, Victor and Eli, who crack the secret to superhuman abilities. But they don't necessarily use these abilities for good. A tale of ambition and friends turn arch enemies, this book will hook you from the start, and make you question everything you thought about super humans.

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

This is the first of two Sanderson books on this list, simply because he's just that great of an author. Steelheart heart follows David, who is determined to take down the invincible Steelheart, the 'superhero' or Epic, who's responsible for his father's death. But to take down an all powerful dictator, he's going to need some help...

The Classic Summer Read

If all you want this summer is a feel-good contemporary, these two are for you:

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

This cover is just begging you to read it during the summer. Also, you now probably have that Kelly Clarkson song stuck in your head. Go ahead, sing it, and while we're talking about music, can I just mention that there are playlists in this book? Yeah. It's pretty sweet. The story follows what happens when the introverted Emily gets left a to-do list by her outgoing, recently disappeared best friend, Sloane. The list includes things like: Go apple picking at night. Dance until dawn. Kiss a stranger. Which you know, is exactly what every introvert wants to do. Still, Emily sets out to complete the list in hopes of finding Sloane, and let's just say things get interesting

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

This book spoke to my book loving heart. It's about a struggling bookstore owner, A.J. Fikry, who's life is not at all how he expected to be. After his wife passed away, his bookstore experiences the lowest sales ever, but everything changes when a mysterious package arrives on his doorstep. Warning: You may cry whilst reading this book.

You Probably Won't Guess The Ending

Everyone loves a good mystery, right? Here are some recommendations for your inner sleuth:

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

I know what you're thinking, but don't let the fact that this book was published back in 1939 get to you. It's fast paced, easy to read and understand, and I never would have guessed the ending. Essentially, ten people are on a island. They get killed off one by one. And then there are none.

Jackaby by William Ritter

Let's all just take a moment to appreciate this gorgeous cover. I almost put this in the fantasy category, because of it's paranormal elements, but the mystery is the main focus. It follows Abigail Rook, who leaves home and ends up on the hunt for a serial killer with the eccentric R.F. Jackaby. This book is pretty much Doctor Who meets Sherlock, and if that doesn't make you want to read it, I don't know what will.

I Need My Space

For my fellow sci-if fans and space nerds everywhere, read these and prosper:

(And forgive my horrible Star Trek joke.)

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

THIS COVER. The story inside is just as gorgeous, told in a series of interviews, chat room dialogue, and every other cool format you can think of, you will not want to put this book down. I'd tell you more about it, but I think it's best to go into this book knowing only three things: it takes place on two spaceships escaping a dying planet. There are secrets being kept. Not everyone survives.

Lost Stars by Claudia Gray

All you need to know about this is that it's canon in the Star Wars universe, taking place eight years after the fall of the Old Republic, in a galaxy far far away......

Fantastic Fantasy

Last but not least, some magical recommendations:

Falling Kindoms by Morgan Rhodes

Three nations. One death to send them to war. Honestly, this book is fantasy at its finest, seamlessly weaving together multiple points of view into one epic start to an awesome series. Did I mention there are four books out so far? Binge read, my friend.

MIstborn by Brandon Sanderson

We'll finish this list off with Mr. Sanderson again. In case you couldn't tell, I don't like to give much away when recommending books, especially fantasy. This book is especially hard to describe without giving anything away, but I'll try. It follows a young thief, who becomes the apprentice to an notorious troublemaker and master of metal magic- aka Allomancy. The fate of the kingdom end up resting on their shoulders. It's probably the largest book on this list, but it's totally worth every page.

Thanks for reading, and let me know if you read any of these, and what you thought!