As many of you may know, I really like to read. The spring semester is now over and I’m both proud and pretty amazed to say that I have finished 30 books. I sometimes post little mini reviews when I finish a book, but I thought I would take the time to review my top five favorite books I read this semester. Summer is the best time for you to pick up a book and read, so hopefully some of my picks will make your summer reading list as well.

1. “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail” by Cheryl Strayed

This was easily my favorite book from this semester, and, much to my surprise, it’s also non-fiction. As the title tells you, the book follows the travels of Cheryl Strayed who has decided to hike the Pacific Crest Trail which runs from Mexico up to Canada. After the death of her mother, and a recent divorce from her husband, the inexperienced backpacker hikes a trail that can be difficult even for experienced hikers by herself. Throughout the novel, she finds that she is strong and can be alone which I think is what I took away the most from this book. It’s one of those stories of finding yourself that makes you feel like you can accept yourself and make it by yourself in this sometimes scary world.

2. “Sharp Objects” by Gillian Flynn

I still haven’t read Gillian Flynn’s more popular “Gone Girl,” but I was incredibly impressed by this book. I found it on a reading list of books that have “plot twists you’ll never see coming,” but I figured I would have it figured out before it was revealed to me. Reading the book, I thought I really knew what was going on, but within the last few pages, I was wrong, to say the least. This is a murder-mystery type novel so if you like crime and suspense, this is the book for you.

3. “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini

4. This was one of the books that I actually took the time to really review on my Facebook page. One thing I’ve really noticed in reading Hosseini’s books is that my education really showed me nothing of what happened in Afghanistan during the time of the Taliban. Reading this book exposes you to the atrocities that some of these people faced, and will probably have you crying by the end of the book. If you only read one book on this list, make it this one. While it wasn’t my absolute favorite, I felt it gave me the most from reading it.

4. “Paper Towns” by John Green

“Paper Towns” is actually my favorite John Green novel to date. I’ve read his most recent book, “Turtles All the Way Down,” but I still like this one more. There’s something about following clues and learning more about the person leaving them that always draws me in. This isn’t one of those books that will just leave you ripped in half after reading the book, but it will leave you feeling at ease and satisfied. It’s almost like eating a good meal where you’re not uncomfortably stuffed, but you know you’ve had enough and it’s naptime.

5. “Big Little Lies” by Liane Moriarty

This one’s a long read, but it’s definitely worth it. The way Moriarty sets up the story, it switches from one character’s viewpoint to the next and gradually intertwines the lives of all of the characters. It isn’t until the very end when you find out that their lives are more intertwined than you originally thought. You find out at the beginning of the book someone has been killed and continue to get bits and pieces of information as you follow the days leading up to the murder. It’s really well written and another one of those books with a really good twist.

This list isn’t in order or anything, but if you’re looking for five good books for a summer read all I can give is my recommendation. Happy reading!