There are a lot of really good books out there. I personally think the best kinds of books are those that draw you into the story -- painting a vivid picture in your mind, connecting you to the characters, and leaving you questioning something when you finish the last page. I’ve put together a list of 5 novels that are my favorite for these reasons. Here are 5 books you should really read (and soon).

1. "Prince of Tides," Pat Conroy

"The Prince of Tides" is the first on the list. Coming from South Georgia, I open up this book to a world that is very much like mine at home. This book creates a view of humanity that is very raw and very real. The writing style Pat Conroy uses forces you to become ensnared in the story line he is creating.

One of my favorite quotes from the novel is, “It was growing dark on this long southern evening, and suddenly, at the exact point her finger had indicated, the moon lifted a forehead of stunning gold above the horizon, lifted straight out of filigreed, light-intoxicated clouds that lay on the skyline in attendant veils. Behind us, the sun was setting in a simultaneous congruent withdrawal and the river turned to flame in a quiet duel of gold... The new gold of moon astonishing and ascendant, he depleted gold of sunset extinguishing itself in the long westward slide, it was the old dance of days in the Carolina marshes, the breathtaking death of days before the eyes of children, until the sun vanished, its final signature a ribbon of bullion strung across the tops of water oaks.”

2. "A Prayer for Owen Meany," John Irving

The second novel is "A Prayer for Owen Meany." This novel depicts the life of a scrawny boy who seems to know his fate. There is a lot of symbolism throughout this novel, and it causes the reader to rethink through some of life’s biggest questions.

The best quote is the first sentence. “I am doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice -- not because of his voice, or because he was the smallest person I ever knew, or even because he was the instrument of my mother's death, but because he is the reason I believe in God; I am a Christian because of Owen Meany.”

3. "Poisonwood Bible," Barbara Kingsolver

The third novel is "Poisonwood Bible." This book is a story about a family who moves to Africa in a time of colonialism. It asks the question, why do we believe the things that we believe?

“Listen. To live is to be marked. To live is to change, to acquire the words of a story, and that is the only celebration we mortals really know.”

4. "All the Light We Cannot See," Anthony Doerr

"All the Light We Cannot See" is the next book on the list. This book is written with parallels of two character’s lives that do not seem connected at all. However, it is eloquently written. The word choice of the author makes it almost impossible to put the book down because of the magic it presents. It is a coming-of-age novel that explores the interconnectedness of all of humanity.

“When I lost my sight, people said I was brave. When my father left, people said I was brave. But it is not bravery; I have no choice. I wake up and live my life. Don’t you do the same?

5. "East of Eden," John Steinbeck

"East of Eden" is the final book. John Steinbeck uses vivid descriptive language to paint a picture of northern California during the time of the novel. It has various themes without such as love, identity, greed, and goodness while exploring the whole idea of family.

“And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.”

Each of these books has something about them that stands out. I hope you can pick one up soon and become entranced in the world of these characters.