Taking classes and getting excited for the assigned reading was always my favorite part of school. Using that same concept and turning different genres, locations, and subjects into a course of their own, you could come up with your own assigned reading. These would be my picks for recommended reading, what would yours be?

Assassins 101

If you’re looking for a story about assassin nuns…

…because let’s be real. Who isn’t? Grave Mercy is the story of Ismae who is sold to a pig farmer but is turned away after he sees the scarring on her body. The scarring that identifies her as having been sired by the god of Death himself. This is one fascinating and thrilling story that is impossible to put down.

If you’re looking for a story that plays on the Cinderella fairy tale…

This series has been hyped to an extraordinary degree but is one that is fully deserving. Throne of Glass was originally a play on the original Cinderella fairy tale and Maas has created a fascinating world full of incredible characters. The sixth and final installment comes out next year and if you’re just starting out, be sure to read The Assasin’s Blade first.

If you’re looking for a story about badasses stopping an assassin…

Dina Demille runs a magical Bed and Breakfast in a small Texas town and when someone or something has brought death to her community, she sets out to stop it. This one manages to possess a strong female lead, believable alpha-males (even a love triangle that I didn’t mind a bit), fantastic secondary characters that aren’t relegated to the background, and some steamy chemistry. If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries, Clean Sweep is the next step up.