Almost everyone has a favorite book they like, even people who don’t like reading at all will ultimately have a go-to book. Me, I have a reading list that I could never even hope to finish; yet, I still sit down and try and cross off as many as I can. I like to imagine that I have pretty good taste in books and over the years have created a list of books or book series that I believe everyone should read at least once in their lives.

1. The ‘Harry Potter’ series

If you’re a 90s kid and haven’t read this book series by J. K. Rowling yet, then you should be ashamed. I remember going to midnight book releases and premieres and the endless wait for the next book to come out. These are the books we grew up with and when they ended it felt like the end of our childhood. I almost cried when this series ended; like I said, we grew up with it and it taught us many valuable lessons. For that alone, this series belongs on everyone’s ‘to-read’ list.

2. ‘The Lord of the Rings’

Elves, dwarves, wizards, goblins and so much more, J. R. R. Tolkien created a true world of fantasy for all to enjoy. This is a book that has been read by three generations and will probably be read by even more. During my British Literature class, my teacher chose this book over Jane Austen and I have loved this book ever since. Going on a perilous journey to destroy a ring of evil to end a war and overcoming hardships and trials along the way, why wouldn’t anyone read this.

3. ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ series (more commonly known as ‘Game of Thrones’)

With almost all fantasy books (or most books in general) you never actually fear for the life of the protagonist; they’re the main character of course they will survive. The problem with this is it means the story can get pretty predictable or boring. George R. R. Martin makes every reader fear for the lives and safety of every character he writes; to me, that makes the characters more realistic. Not everyone ends up with a happily ever after, not everyone makes it out unscathed, not everyone stays together, and not everyone survives.

4. ‘The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes’

Who hasn’t heard of the Great Detective? Sherlock Holmes solved even the most difficult of mysteries with the smallest of clues. With his trusted friend, Dr. John Watson, there wasn’t a case they couldn’t crack. So sit down, grab a nice hot cup of tea, and enjoy the many adventures that have drawn in readers for over a century.

5. ‘The Great Gatsby’

This is a relatively short read, but come on! Summer in the roaring 20s, parties every night in New York, a secret love affair, real human nature; a lot happens in this tiny, little book that completely absorbs those who read it.

There are a lot of other good books in the world to read; these are just some of the books I believe you need to read at least once. These books shaped my life and frame of mind, they each taught me a different lesson, and they all provided a nice escape from reality when it was needed. At least crack one open and give it a chance.