By: Bella D’Adderio

While packing your sunscreen and towel for long days on the beach, don’t forget to bring the books.

This summer, whether it’s for entertainment or an assignment, this top ten selection of books offers something for everyone. With the school year being over, we can finally put down the textbooks and treat ourselves to one of the most popular american pastimes: reading.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl, published in 2012, is an irresistible thriller full of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Main characters Nick and Amy Dunne present what seems to be a perfect marriage to the public eye in the small town of Carthage, Missouri. However, when Amy goes missing the day of their fifth anniversary, Nick becomes the number one suspect. This fiction novel tells the story of a marriage gone terribly wrong, while also revealing the unwanted reality of married couples.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Help, a number one New York Times bestseller, tells the story of African American maids working in white households in Jacksonville, Mississippi, during 1962. This story is told primarily through three different narrators: Aibileen Clark, Minnie Jackson and Skeeter Phelan. Despite the characters being different in color but also in personality, the women manage to come together to create a secret project that could potentially put them all at major risk. Throughout the novel, Stockett not only reveals the truth about being a person of color during the 60’s, but also manages to bring an emotional yet funny aspect to the story that will only leave you wanting more.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a fiction novel written by Khaled Hosseini, who most commonly known for his award winning book, The Kite Runner. While reading A Thousand Splendid Suns, you’ll find yourself attached to two women: Laila and Mariam. Both women come from seemingly completely different ways of life, yet they are brought together by war in Afghanistan. As the two begin to go through rough times at home and in the streets of Kabul, they form a bond that essentially changes the course of their lives and those to come.

The Martian by Andy Weir

The Martian, which was recently created into a movie in October 2015, is an award winning science fiction novel that you’ll find unable to put down. This brilliant yet surprisingly humorous book tells the story of astronaut Mark Watney, who less than a week ago, became the first person to walk on planet Mars. However, he now finds himself stranded there alone, sure his death is soon approaching if he doesn’t use his intelligence to his advantage.

The movie was great, but the book is even better!

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby, also recently turned into a movie, is an American classic published in 1925 that stands to the test of time. As it contains issues such as cheating, lost hope, loneliness, and death, The Great Gatsby has aspects still common in today’s society, making it such a big hit after all these years. This novel is told by narrator Nick Carraway, a bondsman, who happens to be neighbors with Jay Gatsby, a mysterious man who throws extravagant parties at his mansion every weekend. Throughout the novel, truths are revealed and lessons are learned, only making you want to read more.

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Looking for Alaska, a fiction novel written by John Green, has won numerous awards for its moving yet hilarious work that leaves readers dying to know the truth. As many are, character Miles Halter is more than bored with his predictable but lonely life, therefore makes a decision to attend Culver Creek boarding school during his junior year of high school. Here, he finds himself meeting people he’ll never forget and making memories of a lifetime, until one day he may want to forget it all.

The Book Thief  by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief, written by Markus Zusak, stayed on the New York Times Bestseller for 375 weeks, and that truly isn’t a surprise. This fiction novel takes place in Germany during World War II, focusing on the life of Lisa Meminger who is 9 years old. Lisa has been given up by her mother, and is forced to live with foster parents Hans and Rosa Hubermann. Here, she learns to read with the help of Hans, which is forbidden activity. Soon enough, Lisa turns out to be a thief. That is, for books. Throughout this emotional and powerful story, you’ll find yourself unable to to stop reading page after page.

Paper Towns by John Green

Once again, we see author John Green make the list, as his fiction book, Paper Towns, manages to bring readers in for another great story. Paper Towns, centered around the life of Quentin Jacobsen, claims everyone in life gets one miracle. For him, this happens to be living next to Margo Roth Spiegelman. Quentin has spent nearly his whole life adoring her, therefore he doesn’t think twice when she breaks into his room asking him to join her for a night full of adventure. Although after their long night, he wakes to find Margo has gone missing.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Thirteen Reasons Why, published in 2007, is a deep and emotional story full of the unwanted reality of high school. This novel focuses upon Hannah Baker’s reasons for committing suicide, in which she creates audio tapes, sending them to select people who she in some way holds responsible for her death. As the tapes are passed on to the next person by Hannah’s request, truths are revealed and lessons are learned, leaving you on the edge of your seat.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Last but most definitely not least, The Maze Runner, written by James Dashner, is an award winning post-apocalyptic story that will get you hooked from the start. The main character, Thomas, finds himself disoriented when he wakes up sitting in a lift, unable to remember anything but his name. However, he is not alone as he finds himself surrounded by kids who are living here as well in what they call “The Glade”. As Thomas’s become used to his new life, things begin to change and secrets are discovered that will never be able to be forgotten.