As an voracious book-worm I've always felt that there are a lot of good books out there that don't get nearly as much credit as they should so here's a list of five books that I believe everyone should try.

1. The Alchemist

Paulo Coehlo is a world renowned author and his books have been translated into over 60 languages. The Alchemist is probably the most well-known and most popular of his works and for good reason. The text features a simple shepherd boy who lives the simplest life traveling from place to place taking care of his sheep and reading books. He has a dream about treasure and decides to drop everything in order to go after it.

2. The Ink-heart Series

Cornelia Funke is another popular author who writes children's books. The Ink-heart Series is a great read for anyone who's every dreamt of living in a book. The story centers around the concept that people who have a way with words can actually cause characters can come out of books when they read. In return, someone from the real world is pulled into the book.

3. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

While Edward Tulane is a story meant for young kids it's an emotional story that can be enjoyed by anyone. This book is probably the first book that every impressed me. Edward Tulane is a porcelain rabbit that doesn't love the little girl who owns him. To teach him a lesson, her grandmother forces him to go on a journey where he switches owners over and over and finally learns what it means to love. The story has a beautiful message about never taking people for granted and to never give up hope even when the you lose a precious loved one in your life.

4. The House of Night Series

For those of us that love vampire novels but don't care for the sparkling vampires in Twilight, The House of Night is the perfect series. The series features a newly turned vampire who is sent to a boarding school full of vampires. The series is at no loss for hot guys, powerful magic, and a great deal of folklore that any fantasy geek would enjoy.

5. Bel Canto

Bel Canto is the literary novel you wish you would have read in English class. It follows the story of a group of influential hostages that came from all over the world for a birthday party in Peru. The terrorists are a bunch of the country's poor, desperate citizens that you can't help empathizing with and a lot of them are just kids. Except for a single translator, most of them are incapable of communicating and connect through their love of a brilliant singer's music.