Reading during the summer is one of my favorite pastimes. There's just something so relaxing about lounging by the pool with a good book. Plus, you feel good for reading something rather than bingeing on Netflix. (Not that there's anything wrong with that. I love my Netflix, trust me.)

If you are like I am, though, it can be hard to find a good book sometimes. So, if you're looking for a good read, here are my favorite books to read in the summer!

"The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

Definitely a lengthy read, but you won't want to put it down! This is a well-crafted story about the reality of racism and segregation in 1960s Jackson, Mississippi. A young woman, Skeeter, who does not fit the typical "southern belle" mold, wants desperately to become a writer and decides to do so by sharing the story of the help: the black women who take care of practically every white family in the state. The reader is shown how the black women, mainly Aibileen and Minny, struggle and strive in both the workplace and their personal lives. Skeeter's coming-of-age tale is also very relatable to college-age readers.

"Alligator Bayou" by Donna Jo Napoli

I read this story back in early high school and still love it! It is a beautifully-told story about a young Sicilian, Calogero, and his family who live in Tallulah, Louisiana in 1899. Calogero and his family are struggling with persecution from the white townspeople and are often caught in the hatred between the black community and white community. Calogero is a teenager trying to figure everything out and falls in love with a sweet, courageous black girl. This book explores the importance of family, growth and acceptance.

"Anne of Green Gables" by L.M. Montgomery

I know this book is targeted more towards middle schoolers and early high school students, but in my opinion a good book is a good book, not to mention it's a classic loved by many. My favorite thing about "Anne of Green Gables" is all of the beautiful imagery. The way the author depicts Avonlea makes me think God must have taken some extra time in creating the beauty at Prince Edward Island, Canada. This story is about a young, feisty red-headed orphan who gets adopted by old, unmarried siblings. This is a beautiful coming-of-age story and an easy, relaxing read for summertime.

"Nineteen Minutes" by Jodi Picoult

This book is definitely a tearjerker and will have you on edge of your seat the whole time. It explores bullying, violence and what exactly dictates right and wrong. Without giving too much away, this story is about a small town that is hit by a horrible act of violence. The judge who will preside over the court case has a daughter who was a witness, but can't seem to recall anything. This is an honest, eye-opening and heart-wrenching story that will leave you in awe.

"Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe" by Fannie Flagg

I'll admit, I fell in love with the movie and watched it several times for years before finally reading the book. The book is amazing and jumps back and forth through history. Evelyn, a housewife in the 1980s, is fed up with her life and gains inspiration to make a change when she meets Mrs. Threadgoode, an elderly woman in a nursing home. The two become fast friends as Mrs. Threadgoode tells the incredible story of Idgie and Ruth, two women who became best friends and opened a restaurant together during the Great Depression. Ruth and Idgie were also at the center of a murder, among other tragedies that they overcome. The reader is also shown the lives of Big George and his family, who were very close with Idgie and whom Idgie always treated equally.

"Saint Mazie" by Jami Attenberg

I very recently finished this book, and I loved it! It's written in a diary/testimonial format which I am a big fan of. The story centers around this legend of a woman, Mazie Phillips. It's her diary we read, and the testimonials are all about her. The diary is written between the late 1910s-1930s, where Mazie writes down everything that happens in her life. She is at first a wild, partying girl and gradually matures into a brazen, strong-willed woman who helps those in need but would never call herself anything special. An exciting, tragic and interesting read. You will fall in love with the charismatic Mazie, just like everyone who knows her.