I am a self-identified book worm, I always have been and probably always will be. So when summer rolls around, I finally have a bit of free time to read books I actually enjoy and won't be tested on. Here's a list of some of my very favorite books and/or series of books that seriously, if you haven't read them yet, you really should.

1. "We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart

This book centers around the character Cadence and an unknown traumatic event that happened to her two years previously. Cadence comes to visit her family's vacation island and see's her family and friends for the first time since the mysterious event. I read this book in one sitting because I simply could not put it down. It is absolutely beautifully written and the twists and turns within the plot made my jaw drop. I usually like to read series of books, but this book stands out to me as one of my very favorite stand alone novels.

2. "The Lunar Chronicles" by Marissa Meyer

This series is about the main character, Cinder, who lives in a dystopian future where it is peacetime after a devastating third world war. Cinder identifies as a cyborg with her metal leg and hand, whose life was saved after a nearly fatal accident in her past. Each book in the series is very loosely based off of classic Disney Princess stories, with Cinder being similar to Cinderella. Now this series has a weird premise, my sister had to convince me into giving it a try because of how strange it sounded. But these books have gone on to be my second favorite series I've ever read. I was genuinely upset when I finished them because I just wanted more. I cannot put into words how fantastic these books were.

3. "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak

Set in the era of World War 2 in Germany, this book is told from the perspective of Death and focuses primarily on the character Leisel. Leisel is a Jewish girl who is sent to live with a family who protects her. Now I'm sure a lot of people have heard of this book, or possibly has to read it in high school. But the writing of this book is so moving that I would regularly get goosebumps. It's been years since I read it, and I still remember several quotes.

4. "The Mortal Instruments" by Cassandra Clare

Set in the modern day where there is another unknown world filled with demons and those who fight them called "Shadowhunters," the series focuses on the main character of Clary. She discovers she has been kept from this world where she was originally born into. These books are extremely intense and have so much wonderful storytelling packed into them. I know people have probably heard of the movie (which was awful and very disappointing) and now the tv series, but as most people always say, the books are so much better.

5. "Unwind" by Neal Shusterman

This is a series of books I'm currently in the process of reading. It is about a modern day world where abortion has been completely eradicated. After a civil war between the pro-lifers and pro-choicers, the government comes to a decision that every baby will be born. However, parents can choose to 'unwind' their children from age 13 to 18. This is where 99.9 percent of the kid is harvested for organ donations so that they do not technically die. The book specifically focuses on three different children who are set up to be unwound. This book is heavy. There is no other way to put it. It is an idea that is so horrifying and yet so accepted within this fictional world. It was a very interesting read and I'm enjoying continuing on with the series.

6. "The Host" by Stephanie Meyer

OK, I know, it's by Stephanie Meyer which isn't promising. But this book was an incredible read and the movie does it little justice. The writing isn't quite as good as some other books on this list, but the story makes up for it. About a world where aliens have inhabited almost all of human civilization, the story focuses on a rebel movement of humans who accept an alien inhabited human who has once been a member of their colony. It has a romance thrown in as well, which I'm always a sucker for.

7. The "Divergent" Trilogy by Veronica Roth

I know most people have probably heard of this series and probably already know the premise thanks to the relatively large movie franchise. However, the books are so, so, so much better than the movies. The writing surprised me as the books kept going because it only continued to get better. While I'm not a massive fan of the movies, these books are very high on my list of favorites.

8. "The Immortals" Series by Alyson Noel

I read this series in high school, so it has been a while. But they still stand out on my bookshelf as a story I remember and love. About a girl named Ever who falls in love with the immortal man Damen. Damen has followed Ever throughout all of her past lives, always chasing his true love. It's a fantastic romance story that has wonderful life lessons. This is one of those series that, to me, has gone by hidden and underrated despite how wonderful it is.

9. "Something Like Fate" by Susane Colasanti

This book is about two best friends Lani and Erin. Lani begins to fall for Erin's boyfriend and the feelings seem to be reciprocated. What unfolds is a whole lot of drama and some of the most honest characters and beautiful dialogue I've read in a romance book. As someone who usually enjoys dystopian and fantasy genres, this author's books have always been favorites of mine. The way she develops the characters and gives them so much depth amazed me in high school because so many of the books aimed at that age didn't have that kind of thought put into the characters.

10. "The Giver" by Lois Lowry

Yeah, I know, this book is traditionally aimed towards a more middle school age and I know the movie was... not good to say the least. However, this remains as one of the most touching, interesting, and best books I've ever read. This book is what began my love for the dystopian genre and taught me life lessons that I still hold dear. About a society who has removed emotions and diversity from their lives, the story of Jonas who works with The Giver and discovers emotional depth, is one you will not be forgetting anytime soon.

11. "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher

This is probably the saddest and the heaviest book on the list. About a girl named Hannah who has left behind tapes for thirteen people integral to her decision to commit suicide, this book left me in tears. The main focus is on a boy named Clay who has received the tapes and struggles to listen to them and understand such a serious decision. It was so eloquently written with so much depth provided not only to the characters but to the story and lessons as well. It's a book I still commonly find myself thinking about despite having read it about five years ago.

12. "Harry Potter" by J.K Rowling

If you haven't read them already...well, I just don't know what rock you've been living under. And if you have read them... well, I genuinely would recommend rereading them for all of the extra details you can catch. The other 11 books on this list are phenomenal, but none of them are on the same level for me as Harry Potter. The Harry Potter series are more than just books, and this story is something I hold very dear in my heart. And no, you cannot say you've seen the movies and that's all you need. The depth, emotions, character development, adventures, and beauty of this entire story simply isn't captured as well in the movies. These are the books that turned my enjoyment of reading into an all out love-affair, and these are the books I will forever be grateful to have in my life.