As a young adult, it’s easy to get caught up with school, work and social obligations. We’re learning how to balance our lives, and we easily find ourselves stressed and overwhelmed. Reading is a great way to clear our minds, learn something new and help us unwind when we need to take a break.

“Dear John” by Nicholas Sparks

Grab some tissues and get ready to dive into this tear-jerker. “Dear John” is a turbulent love story about a conservative college student and a young man enlisted in the army. This book will make us happy, make us cry and make us feel empathy and sympathy toward its main characters. There are several relatable themes in this book that most people will be able to identify with, and it’s a beautiful story to unwind to.

“House of Spies” by Daniel Silva

This entertaining thriller by Daniel Silva is a story you can enjoy, even if you’re not a fanatic mystery lover. While Gabriel Dallon, the main character, is on his quest for his revenge, you’ll be able to experience his anger, despair and cleverness. It’s eloquently written, and it will surely capture any reader.

“Milk and Honey” by Rupi Kaur

Reading poetry is a great way to expand our minds and see things from a different perspective. These poems tackle abuse, love and violence, and they reveal how the author was able to conquer anything life threw at her. Anyone who reads this story may walk away with a stronger understanding of love, life and family.

“This Will Only Hurt A Little” by Busy Philipps

Incorporating humor into our lives is a nice way to relieve stress, escape our busy schedules and help us be more productive in the long-run. This actress’ honesty about life will make you laugh, cry and smile no matter how much life gets you down. Seeing someone else’s life depicted through humor, tears and trials will inspire us in a significant way.

“Self-Care For The Real World” by Nadia Narian

It’s important that we learn to take care of ourselves mentally, physically and emotionally. Our schedules can get very hectic, and school, work or social obligations can often get very stressful. In this book, you’ll read about how two women had to take extra steps in order to achieve this goal and how it can help us do the same. Taking the time to learn how to care for ourselves in the midst of stress will help improve our life and how we interact with others.

These stories are enjoyable, easy-to-read and very beneficial. Each book can have a different impact on an individual and enlighten someone in a new way. Whether it’s fiction, non-fiction or a self-help book, these books are worth the read.