As a true nerd at heart, I love to read. I am pretty much always reading something, and the summer is great because it gives me time to finally read books that I didn't have time for in the school year. Whether you're soaking up the sun on the beach or curled up in the back seat on a long car ride, there is a book for any situation. Over the years, I have accumulated a long list of books that have deeply impacted my life and resonated with me. There are honestly too many for me to mention in one article because, to me, literature is one of the most powerful weapons in the world. Reading the right books will change the way you look at the world, and sometimes gives you more education than you would collect in a classroom. Here are some of the books that have challenged my thoughts, altered my views, and struck a special chord in my heart. Pick up any of these books for a perfect summer read!

1. The Museum of Intangible Things by Wendy Wunder

This book is a beautiful, raw, honest look at friendship and the lows and highs that any relationship can face. Wunder portrays an extremely honest, often untold side of mental illness, and how that can affect close relationships. I love this book because it shows a best friendship that is so loyal and loving no matter what the odds. It is filled with adventure, love, and search for personal identity. It is a must read.

2. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

I read this book last summer and it really hasn't left my mind since. This book follows Violet and Finch and their unlikely love story that ensues. But this definitely isn't your typical love story. This is another story that takes a very honest, revealing look at mental illness and how it can affect people and the way they live their lives. Not only is this book going to completely capture your heart, but it is going to make you stop and really think about the current mental health procedures we have in place in this country. You're gonna laugh, you're gonna cry, and you're gonna love this book.

3. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

I sat and read this book front to back in one day. It is a page turning mystery that is going to completely mess with your mind. It is kind of like a modern day "Great Gatsby" in that it focuses on two people falling in love who are in very different social classes. This is a beautiful story that made me really stop and think about the perceptions that we have in this world about class differences. My favorite quote is "if you want to live where people are not afraid of mice, you must give up living in palaces." There are tons of quotes that really struck me in this book. Plus, you will never have seen the ending coming!

4. Delirium, Pandemonium, and Requiem (Trilogy) by Lauren Oliver

The first book in this series simultaneously made me overjoyed and ripped my heart out all in one. It takes place in a society that has forbidden love, and when a person turns 18, they are forced to have a surgery called "The Cure" that prevents them from falling in love. The main character, Lena, was raised as a strict rule follower, but when she befriends someone from the rebellion, everything changes. It made me think about the right that everyone deserves to choose their own destiny. I highly, highly recommend this series.

5. Free to Fall by Lauren Miller

Free to Fall takes place in a society where everyone is dependent on a technology called "Lux" that essentially makes people's decisions for them and erases free will. People are so used to relying on this device, that they have completely stopped relying on their own faith and judgment. When the main character, Rory, meets someone who doesn't use Lux, she starts to realize for the first time that maybe Lux is not really providing everyone with the best answers. This story takes an honest look at society and everyone's right to live the life they want to live.

6. Panic by Lauren Oliver

Panic is about a game that graduating high school seniors participate in every year in hopes to win a huge cash prize. What's the catch? Throughout the game players are challenged with life-threatening, sometimes illegal, tasks by anonymous game makers. Heather is determined to win in order to help her family, but it won't come without some risks. This story follows her journey through the crazy tasks that are thrust upon her, and the most important thing to remember is "the only thing more terrifying than the game itself is not getting the chance to play it."

7. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

Let's just be honest, Sheryl Sandberg is #goals. There are plenty of books out there written by successful people trying to pass on their wisdom to others, but what I really love about this one is that it is written by a woman for women, and there are not many career books that are written in that fashion. This book focuses on topics and situations that women face in the workplace that men don't necessarily experience, and how to navigate those obstacles. I am definitely going to use all of the information that she provided in building a career that is (hopefully) even partly as successful as hers.

8. Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit

I really recommend everyone read this book, both women and men. This touches upon topics that are normally swept under the rug, and really provides an accurate look at some of the inequalities that women face in this world. Solnit critiques the education system and made me reconsider certain things about how boys and girls are raised. She brings to light lots of sexist and racist beliefs that are so rooted in society that we almost don't even realize they exist. This book is a must read to inspire necessary change and make you think about things that you might not have considered otherwise.

9. Bossypants by Tina Fey

I love this book not only because Tina Fey is the bomb dot com, but because her honesty made me feel so much better about being a twenty-something woman who has no idea where her life is heading. She is refreshingly honest about the uncertainties that young adults face, and how stressful it can be to decide what path you want to take for the rest of your life. She made me feel more confident that everything was going to work out just fine, all while making me laugh in the process.

10. The Summer I Turned Pretty (Trilogy) by Jenny Han

I am probably too old to read this series now, but I just had to include it because I love it so deeply. This is one of my favorite series of all time for so many reasons. The main character, Belly, faces obstacles that anyone can relate to: life, love, friendship, and death. Her story is written so beautifully that any girl can read this and feel like she knows Belly personally. It made me realize that life is short and you shouldn't take any days for granted.

Have any book suggestions for me? Let me know! I'm always looking for a good read!