For me, trying to find leisure time to sit and enjoy a good book is nearly impossible during the school year. So, every summer, I make a personal goal to read more. I have so much more leisure time during the summer and there is nothing better than sitting by the pool or at the beach with a good book. While I wouldn’t say I have a favorite genre, lately, I have been gravitating towards advice books- I think that it helps inspire me to refresh and renew for the new school year!

1. The UChic Girls Guide Series (duh!)  

The UChic books series is actually what inspired me to want to blog for the site! I found UChic The College Girl’s Guide to Everything 3rd Edition in the campus favorites section during my shift at Barnes and Noble, and I absolutely loved it. I then vigorously researched the brand online and saw that I could have the opportunity to blog for the site. The best part about this series is the fact that they provide first-hand accounts from different girls, rather than just being written by one person. Reading these books is like turning to your best friends and older sisters for personal advice!

2. #GirlBoss – Sophia Amoruso

Last summer I purchased this book two weeks before my trip to Florida with intentions to save it and read it on the plane. However, I made the mistake of starting it as soon as I bought it and I couldn’t put it down- I finished before I even had a chance to pack for my vacation. My favorite part about #GirlBoss is that it not only provides Sophia Amoruso’s personal story and the history of NastyGal, but it provides universal advice on building your life and career. Plus, Sophia Amoruso is a total powerhouse.

3. All Work, No Pay – Lauren Berger

This is a college student must-have! Written by the Intern Queen herself, this is a great book for anyone looking to revamp his or her resume and gain internship experience. This book has everything you need to know about internships- finding one, interviewing, and how to make the most out of your experience. It took me about two days to read this and really equipped me with the right tools to stand out as a young professional.

4.  The Alchemist – Paul Coelho

This book is a classic for a reason- it is such an inspirational story that really had me think about my own life and experiences. This story is about a young Andalusian shepherd named Santiago, who decides to pursue his Personal Legend and travel to the Egyptian pyramids in search of treasure. It is about following your dreams and making the most out of your life. This book is metaphorical, spiritual, and inspirational. It is truly nothing like anything I have ever read before.

5.  The Defining Decade – Meg Jay, PhD

During the school year I work at my campus’ Barnes and Noble. When I work it is a habit of mine to check out the latest books, best sellers, and campus favorites that are placed on display. However, I have a tendency to partially read my latest pick-up, and then get distracted by school and forget to finish reading. This was not one of those reads- I actually made the time to read this during the semester. This book is about life in your twenties written by Dr. Meg Jay, who is a clinical psychologist. It is divided into different sections such as work, love, social networks, and identity. Dr. Jay shares the stories of some of her patients in their twenties. However, what really sets this book apart from other self-help books for twentysomethings is that Dr. Jay explains the biological and psychological workings that happen during this time period.  It really had me thinking about the changes that will be happening in my own life and with my body and mind.