With the warm weather coming, there is nothing better than sitting outside with a good book and a cold drink, taking in the sun. However, when it comes to picking good summer reads, it can be overwhelming to pick through the plethora of books available.

  What some don’t know is that the secret to finding a good book is by finding an author that writes books that perk one’s interest, so here are some great authors that can pull any reader into their stories.

  Dan Brown: If one enjoys a good thriller fiction novel filled with secrets, symbols, and a paradoxical relationship between science and religion, Dan Brown’s books are for you. His top sellers include The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons. Brown’s other books include Digital Fortress, Deception Point, The Lost Symbol, and his newest addition Inferno, which is set to come out on May 14. These books keep readers on their feet through new secrets and symbols at every turn. These are the kind of books that make readers think, transporting them into the novel as each event unfolds.

  Nicholas Sparks: Although 8 of Romance novelist Nicholas Sparks’ 17 novels have been adapted into films, it is still worth it to read his books. All of his books have a recurring setting– a small town near the coast of North Carolina; however, each novel is different. Although each novel deals with the theme of love, Sparks takes a new perspective on love with each book. Each novel is very relatable, and, rest assured, one’s emotions will become invested in his books. If one is looking for a great novel to read on the beach, pick up one of Sparks’ 17 novels, which include The Best of Me, Safe Haven, The Last Song, The Lucky One, The Choice, Dear John, At First Sight, True Believer, Three Weeks With My Brother, The Wedding, The Guardian, Nights in Rodanthe, A Bend in the Road, The Rescue, A Walk To Remember, Message in a Bottle, and The Notebook.

 John Green: Young adult fiction writer and blogger, John Green, provides teens with books that they can relate to. They tackle problems that all teens face and make them think about their futures, their own personal problems, and how to deal with emotions. Green’s works include Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns, Will Grayson- Will Grayson, and The Fault in Our Stars. One will be able to connect to the topics covered in Green’s novels, and even learn lessons from them, all while sitting by the pool over the summer.

  Ron Koertge: For those who enjoy reading unconventional young adult fiction novels, Ron Koertge’s book list is for you. His novels include Lies, Knives, and Girls in Red Dresses, Stoner & Spaz, Stoner & Spaz II, The Arizona Kid, Where the Kissing Never Stops, Shakespeare Bats Cleanup, Margaux With An X, Deadville, Strays, Boy Girl Boy, and Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs. Koertge’s incorporates relatable situations into his books that teen readers are sucked into. However, his writing style is a bit different from others. Most of his novels feature some not-so-Fairytale endings where readers may have gotten the moral of the story and some may have that realization moment- but others may not. This is what makes Koertge so successful with the true to life situations that he writes into his novels.

 Other Authors to Checkout: There are a plethora of authors to checkout. One can easily go onto the http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/ or http://www.goodreads.com/ to check out new and old books and authors that are popular right now.

  Some authors I recommend, although they may seem like the cliche author that everyone knows about from their popular book series, include J.K. Rowling, Suzanne Collins, and Stephenie Meyer. Yes, they are the authors of the three most popular book-turned-movie series of our time, but they are popular for a reason!

  If you haven’t read the Harry Potter series, written by Rowling, you are seriously missing out. Yes, the books are long, but they are definitely worth it. Rowling does an amazing job of transporting readers into the wizard world. Rowling has also released a new novel in 2012 called The Casual Vacancy, which is on my list of books to read.

  Also, Catching Fire, which is the second book in The Hunger Games series, written by Suzanne Collins, is coming out in theaters soon. I guarantee reading the book will be better than simply going to see the movie and will give you a greater understanding of what’s going on in the movie. Suzanne Collins also has another book series called The Underground Chronicles.

  Lastly, Meyer may have written the ever-popular Twilight Saga, but her book The Host, is set to come out in theaters soon, so make sure to read up before you go see the movie.

  Whether you need a book for sitting by the pool, long car rides, or just a good read, these authors will not disappoint.