Sometimes college is a real drag. For that matter, so is being an adult. When working, homework and bills start to get me down, reading is my escape from the real world. But sometimes an "age appropriate" book is still a drag. Adult books still talk about all the things I want to escape from and don't succeed in bringing me out of my funk.

When this happens I find myself going back to the books I read as a kid. Cracking one open reminds me of a simpler time where bills, college loans, term papers, and angry customers didn't exist. These are the books I love even as an adult, and I come back to again and again.

1. Percy Jackson and the Olympians

One of my absolute favorite book series,Percy Jackson and the Olympiansis amazing and the first book is all about finding your place when you feel all alone in the world. When I feel overwhelmed by college, this is the book I've turned to so many times that I wore out my first copy.

2. Magyk

Magykis one of those books that I've come to appreciate more and more as I've gotten older. It wasn't one of my favorites when I was a kid, in fact, it barely registers when I think back to what I read. I realized later on that it was part of a whole series about magic, friendship and what family really means. I've since read all the books in the Septimus Heap series and it's something I find myself turning to when I miss my family.

3. Dealing with Dragons

I have to confess that saying that I read Dealing with Dragonsas a kid is a bit of a stretch since I found it in high school, but it's stuck with me through college mainly because of its message. It's about a princess how's being forced into marriage who decides she's not going to let tradition and her parents determine her destiny and runs away to live with the dragons. I still go through little bouts of nervousness over my major change, but this book about making your own destiny always brings me back to center.

4. The Sisters Grimm

Have you noticed a theme yet? I loved fantasy as a kid! This is another book I come back to when I miss my family or when the world seems out to get me (the world literally is out to get this family). The adventures ofThe Sisters Grimmand their fairytale crew reminds me that even when my family's far away, they're always there to support me.

5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone

This list wouldn't be complete without the book that created my love of reading in the first place.Harry Potteris another book that has become even more precious to me as I've gotten older. Whenever I feel like being an adult is the worst thing that's ever happened to me, I always return to this magical world and leave it feeling rejuvenated and like anything is possible.