If you are anything like me, a cozy night in almost always includes wrapping yourself not only in the comfort of a fuzzy blanket, but also traveling to an alternate reality within the pages of your latest read. I have always had a passion for literature and the way words can truly allow our minds to travel to an imaginative place that is ours to preserve, emulated within such supposedly simple realms of syntax and diction. For those teens and young adults out there that collectively share this interest of mine, scroll further for a list of riveting, adventurous, soul-gripping page turners that will have you ditching the digital gadgets and hitting the library in no time.

1. Looking for Alaska: John Green

"I go to seek a great perhaps," says protagonist Miles "Pudge" Halter, ironically nicknamed for his skinny disposition upon the beginning of his new adventure at Culver Creek boarding school. While his past was filled with seemingly infinite nothingness and a lack of friendship, Pudge finds himself in an entirely new world within the depths of Culver Creek, meeting hilarious, yet intelligent peers such as Chip "The Colonel" Martin and Takumi Hikohito that keep him on his toes between drunken nights on strawberry wine in the open fields and noble class pranks on "The Eagle," the school's paranoid perfectionist of a principal. But of course, Pudge's greatest "perhaps" lies within the mysterious eyes of a one Alaska Young, the meticulously beautiful and curious minded young woman aimed at redefining the social paradigm. Through the course of the crew's memorable adventures and sneaky pranks, Pudge finds himself falling in love with Alaska's beautiful defiance to the norm, as well as her unique outlook on life and how it demands to be lived. However, as unexpected tragedy strikes Culver Creek, Pudge is plummeted into a whirlwind of confusion upon everything he thought he knew, feeling his "great perhaps" slipping through his fingers. Now he is determined to find the truth, discovering the reality and hardships of life as he knows it, and understanding how to make it beautiful again. Read this book for the adventure of a lifetime, a soul wrenching love story, and a new perspective on life as you truly know it.

2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Steven Chbosky

Social introvert and tragedy stricken freshman, Charlie, is headed for the next four years of his high school career with fears for friendship, happiness, a discovery of where he belongs. With a hectic childhood occasionally clouding his mental stability, Charlie records his becoming experiences in a personal journal, illustrating the realities of his high school life. While Charlie's initial experiences appear to be dwindling into a path of loneliness and a sole friendship with a pile of books and his friendly English teacher, his life takes a complete turn for the better as he befriends a herd of high school seniors with a passion for Rocky Horror and unique literature. Upon Charlie's favorites are free-spirited Sam and her quirky step-brother, Patrick, who nickname Charlie as a wallflower, someone who lies on the sidelines of life but is full of intellectual beauty. Through a series of beautiful adventures, liquor induced decisions, painful hardships, romantic encounters, and seemingly "infinite" moments, Charlie begins to understand the truth about pain, love, and people as a whole, enforcing him to embrace life by the reigns and learn to accept the realities of his undeserving past. For a book about growing up, acceptance, and resilient friendship, look no further- this is the novel for you.

3. Paper Towns: John Green

While Quentin Jacobsen names his childhood neighbor, Margo Roth Spiegelman as the miracle his life has been blessed with, she rarely seems miracle worthy now that their youth has passed and they are high school seniors, barely speaking anymore with graduation just around the corner. While Quentin has accepted the social ranking of "band geek," in the accumulation of the past four years, Margo Roth Spiegelman has become a school legend, known for her undying beauty, adventurous curiosity, and hidden intellectual capacity. Quentin feels all hope is lost between him and his angelically unfamiliar neighbor until one late night adventure presents itself and alters the fate of both their lives altogether. However, after a night of genius pranking, reconnecting, and rekindling love, Margo is no where to be found, suspected of running away as she so often did throughout her youth. But, as graduation nears and Margo's return seems unlikely, Quentin discovers hidden "bread crumbs" that Margo left behind, alluding to the location of her whereabouts. In an attempt to find love, experience life on the wild side, and understand Margo's fascination with escaping the "Paper town" known as their hometown, Quentin drags himself and his faithful friends on the adventure of their lives, shedding light on the truth about Margo Roth Spiegleman, a girl he thought he knew. For a mysterious adventure filled with laughter and love, as well as a lesson on letting go, pick up Paper Towns.

4. We Were Liars: E. Lochkart

Cadence Sinclair Eastman, nicknamed Cady, has always known a life of luxury and careless disposition, with a family full of greedy aristocrats obsessed with money and who will receive the biggest inheritance. However, Cady's life takes a dramatic turn as her father leaves her and her mother behind, stating that he simply cannot be a part of the life they lead any longer. Hurt, heartbroken, confused, Cady heads to the family's summer home on their grandparent's private island, nicknaming it "Summer Fifteen," corresponding with the season and her current age. While her favorite cousins reappear on the island as always, Cady can't keep her eyes off of the new face of her aunt's new step-child, Gat Patil. Gat, coming from a life completely opposite that of Cady's expected luxury, gives Cady a completely new outlook on life as whole and the reality of her family's selfish, greedy ways. While the summer is filled with the formation of tight relationships and fun with her cousins, Cady and her crew can't escape the family's greed and monetary fights leak into their very happiness. As summer nears its end, the "liars," as they call themselves, attempt to have one last hurrah, but tragedy strikes and Cady wakes up alone and shaking in the ocean, unable to remember the events that led up to her summer's demise. Suffering traumatic amnesia and utterly depressed that she can't recall the truth, Cady spirals into a wave of confusion and frustration that her cousins, or Gat for that matter, aren't willing to help her piece her brain's puzzle back together. Finally, Cady returns to the island in her 17th year, determined to piece together what really happened in Summer Fifteen. Through a series of painful revelations, acceptance of reality, and uncovering the mystery that is her past, Cady learns the truth about the liars and the secrets that this island has been hiding from her.

5. The Great Gatsby: F. Scott Fitzgerald

In the classical time of the roaring 20's, young, naive Nick Carraway packs up his life and moves to the prosperous area known as West Egg, located in Long Island, New York. In an area known for abundant wealth and a luxurious party scene, Carraway is hoping to acquire his own aristocratic status and truly make a living for himself. Upon his move, Carraway can't help but note the mysterious, hidden demeanor of his infamous neighbor, Mr. Jay Gatsby, nicknamed "The Great Gatsby" for his outlandish parties lasting all through the night, all of which no visitor has never had the opportunity to actually meet Gatsby himself. As Carraway begins to settle, he receives an invite to a Gatsby party, and upon his entry, gets to meet the man firsthand. Gatsby and Carraway quickly become close friends as Gatsby takes Carraway under his wing, calling him "old sport" and giving him a firsthand view at the twists and turns of life in aristocratic society. Gatsby has his eyes on Carraway's lovely cousin, Daisy Buchannon, regardless of the fact that she is already married to a greedy, disrespectful tyrant. As Carraway continues to idolize Gatsby and his lavish, yet ultimately secretive ways, he helps bring past lovers, Daisy and Gatsby, back into each others arms. However, through a series of discoveries and investigation, Carraway begins to realize that aristocracy is far from luxury and holds far more dirty secrets than he ever imagined, paving way for his understanding of the truth about such a greedy, heartless society. Through tragedy, heartbreak, destruction, and acceptance, Carraway begins to find himself, fighting the demise of both himself and those around him, and discovering the identities of those he thought he knew. For a read that will change your perspective on the element of time and provide spectacular visualization on an era wrapped beneath capitalist greed and secrets, be sure to pick up this novel.

Well, there you have it, a guide to some of the best books any young adult can experience. While this list certainly can't even begin to the cover the half of all the amazing literature out there, it can definitely provide a start. Happy reading!