I don't know about you guys, but I love plopping down on the beach and reading a nice good book with my feet in the sand and a nice cold drink in hand...(did I just rhyme?) Sorry. Anyway, summertime is always the best time to read because you can read whatever you want, you don't have to finish by a deadline and it's not homework! Usually, I'll look and see what's on Barnes and Nobles Top 100 books and pick a few, but lately I've just been going to the library and searching around to see what looks good. Here are some books I've read recently that I think everyone should take a look at this summer! Enjoy!

1. "Nineteen Minutes" by Jodi Picoult

2. "A Stolen Life" by Jaycee Dugard

Jaycee Dugard goes into great detail on her story that shook the nation. She was kidnapped and abused for 18 years of her life. This story is emotional and left me in tears. Her story touches your heart and makes you sick at the same time.

Quote: "Ask yourself, 'What would you do to survive?'"

3. "Night" by Elie Wiesel

This true story about Elie Wiesel's time spent in a concentration camp is unbelievable. He recently just passed away and this story should live on. I can't put into words how amazing this book is.

Quote: "Never shall I forget that first night in camp, which has turned my life into one long night."

4. "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini

I actually prefer this book over "The Kite Runner" and I'll tell you why. This story shows the harsh, unfair way women in the Middle East are treated. It's a mother-daughter story that allows readers to understand how terrible arranged marriages are and the effects it has on the young girls.

Quote: "One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls."

5. "The Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell

I found this book to be extremely interesting. It goes into detail about how we achieve success. Is it based on luck or hard work? It could be based on your birthday, or by chance. What do you think? The answer may surprise you.

Quote: "Practice isn't the thing you do once you're good. It's the thing you do that makes you good."

6. "Seriously... I'm Kidding" by Ellen DeGeneres

It's written by Ellen. Of course it's amazing.

Quote: "My point is life is about balance. The good and the bad. The highs and the lows. The pina and the colada."

7. "Bossypants" by Tina Fey

Tina Fey's sarcasm and wit are iconic. She talks about her life and gives us the details on how she became who she is today. This story will make you love her even more than you thought was possible.

Quote: "Say yes. You'll figure it out afterward."

8. "UnSweetined" by Jodie Sweetin

We all know "Full House" and we all love Stephanie Tanner. But Jodie Sweetin, who portrays Stephanie Tanner, didn't always have it easy growing up in the spotlight. In her memoir, we get to learn all about her struggle with addiction and growing up with everyone watching.

Quote: "Life isn't like a "Full House" episode. There isn't going to be an easy out to every conflict. There is no milkman, paperboy, or evening TV. There are good moments and bad moments and not everything will tie together nicely in the end. But that's life, and I think I'm finally starting to get it."