Authors have the unique ability to record the world around them as well as their own thoughts and ideas; their stories open up a new world of pain and beauty. Here are five books in no particular order that would be great reads for book lovers and book haters alike.

1. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

“Last Lecture” is the last words and advice a professor gives to his students before leaving them for the real world. Randy Pausch was a professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and this lecture, which was originally called “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams,” was literally his last lecture. His last words were filled with stories from his life and lessons he wants his children to learn. Pausch passed away on July 25, 2008, but his words continue to inspire hundreds.

2. Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur

This is a book of poetry and prose focused on the hurt and love of life accompanied by the author’s own sketches. This book was published on Nov. 4, 2014 and is a New York Times bestseller. The author, Rupi Kaur is originally from Punjab, India. She identifies herself as a feminist and much of her work reflects this fact. Her poetry is simple, yet powerful and is a necessity for every reader.

3. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

Published on April 1, 2005, this novel focuses on the journey of a nine year old boy named Oskar Schell. After his father is killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attack in New York, Oskar discovers a mysterious key in a vase. He sets out on the mission to find the purpose of this key in the hopes that it will bring him closer to his father. Along with this story, a parallel story of Oskar’s grandfather is told through a series of letters.

4. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Many say that even the most stubborn readers love “To Kill A Mockingbird.” This Southern Gothic novel was an immediate success winning a Pulitzer Prize in 1961. The story takes place during the Great Depression through the eyes of young Jean Louise Finch, or Scout. It bring attention to the racism and importance of gender roles during the early twentieth century.

5. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

“The Bell Jar” was initially written under the pseudonym “Victoria Lucas” in order to separate Plath from the story. The plot of the story follows Esther Greenwood and her downward spiral into mental illness. As her disease takes over, Esther describes her being “trapped under a bell jar.” The novel is essentially autobiographical and numerous parallels can be drawn from the life of Ester to the life of Sylvia Plath.