I have always loved reading. I could always be found with a book in hand, engaged in my own personal game of hide-and-seek. Every night was a battle with my mother to let me stay up for 10 more minutes so I could see what my favorite gang of wizards was up to (I still blame J.K. Rowling for my trust issues.) My fervor for reading has only grown as I’ve gotten older, but time becomes scarce during the school year making summer the perfect opportunity to catch up. Whether you’re taking a break from binge-watching a show on Netflix or just want to spend some quality time with yourself, reading is the perfect escape.

1. "Yes Please" by Amy Poehler

“Apologies have nothing to do with you. They are balloons in the sky. They may never land. They may even choke a bird.”

From "Leslie Knope" to "Hillary Clinton" to author, is there any role Amy Poehler can’t play? Poehler does a remarkable job in her debut, "Yes Please," of once again proving what a badass she is. From her days of improv in Chicago to her requests for giving birth, she offers insight as well as plenty of hilarious yet sage advice. Looking to read a book that will make you feel empowered? Yes please!

2. "You Deserve a Drink: Boozy Misadventures and Tales of Debauchery" by Mamrie Hart

“When the apocalypse comes, it won’t just be cockroaches that survive. It will also be herpes and that random bottle of crème de menthe you bought years ago.”

With the promise of "boozy misadventures and tales of debauchery," you know you’re in for a treat. Hart delivers just that in her entertaining stories as well as enlightening discoveries like learning to go outside of your comfort zone and to never let your age define you. And if the title isn't alluring enough, each chapter features a drink recipe to commemorate the story. So not only do you get your think on, you can also get your drink on (if you’re of legal age, of course)!

3. "We Should Hang Out Sometime" by Josh Sundquist

“Fighting emotion with logic is like bringing a calculator to a knife fight.”

As hilarious as it is heartwarming, this book strikes up the perfect balance as Sundquist tracks down all of his past love interests to determine why he’s never had a girlfriend. With each of his stories, you’re one step closer not only to learning about his results, but how your own opinions of love and relationships come into play. From awkward conversations to first date blunders, Sundquist has experienced it all, and he’s been brave enough to put it on the page.

4. "Much Ado About Nothing" by William Shakespeare

“I do love nothing in the world so well as you. Is not that strange?” - William Shakespeare

This may seem a little bit out of left field, but you really can’t go wrong with Shakespeare. If you’re a fan of hijinx, miscommunications, and trickery around the fickle fern that is love, then this is the play for you. Its humor is timeless and the culmination of sassiness between Beatrice and Benedick will give you some new relationship goals. Instead of watching "A Cinderella Story" for the 100th time, give this romantic comedy a try!

5. "Egghead or, You Can’t Survive On Ideas Alone" by Bo Burnham

“If you were perfect, I’d tattoo this on my chest. If you were beautiful, I’d carve this into a tree trunk. If you were nice, I’d write this in a letter. But you’re none of those—”

For those with an affinity for sarcastic or dry humor, Bo Burnham is right up your alley. His collection of poems is fairly short making it an easy, entertaining read. Ranging in length and language, his way with words will keep you on the edge of your toes wondering how he can consistently make you both laugh and cry.

6. "An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green

“Well, while you were in the bathroom, I sat down at this picnic table here in Bumblefug, Kentucky, and noticed that someone had carved that GOD HATES FAG, which, aside from being a grammatical nightmare, is absolutely ridiculous. So I'm changing it to 'God Hates Baguettes.' It's tough to disagree with that. Everybody hates baguettes.”

One of John Green’s lesser known novels, "An Abundance of Katherines" is extremely underrated. It’s about a teenage prodigy named Collin who sets off on a road trip with his best friend after he has been dumped by his girlfriend, Katherine. This would seem normal except Collin has only ever dated girls named Katherine, 19 to be exact, all of whom have dumped him. Along similar lines of "We Should Hang Out Sometime," Colin tries to figure out a formula for why he continues in this pattern. Ultimately, it’s a book about self-discovery, accepting change and learning some new catchphrases (Dingleberries).

7. "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" by Jesse Andrews

“So. If this was some normal fictional young-adult book, this is the part of the story where after the film, the entire high school would rise to their feet and applaud, and Earl and I would find True Acceptance and begin to Truly Believe in Ourselves and Rachel would somehow miraculously make a recovery, or maybe she would die but we would Always Have Her to Thank for Making Us Discover Our Inner Talent, and Madison would become my girlfriend and I would get to nuzzle her boobs like an affectionate panda cub whenever I wanted.
"That is why fiction sucks. None of that happened. Instead, pretty much everything happened that I was afraid of, except worse.”

For those who couldn’t get behind the hype of "The Fault in Our Stars," this book is for you. Instead of a tragic love story, Andrews presents the story of Greg, who is forced by his mom to befriend a girl who has just been diagnosed with leukemia. It wouldn’t sound like much of a comedy, but Greg’s blatant and wry sense of humor sets the tone for this remarkable coming of age story. A film adaptation of "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" was recently released and is also worth checking out.

8. "August: Osage County" by Tracy Letts

“All women need makeup. Don't let anybody tell you different. The only woman who was pretty enough to go without makeup was Elizabeth Taylor and she wore a ton.”

Letts gives new meaning to the phrase “what happens behind closed doors stays behind closed doors” by completing blowing those doors off. From secrets to fights and betrayal, this family drama is intense, but it doesn’t shy away from the humor either. Even from its most absurd and carefully crafted characters, there’s never a shortage of witty one liners or sarcastic undertones. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you'll discover a deeper appreciation for your family reunions.

Happy reading!