Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

I don't know how many of you are on board about "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" books. It took me a very long time to read these books but now that I have I'm SO EXCITED about book four coming out! These books are about a group of four girlfriends who are all very different. Lena is an artist who is introspective, Greek, and very beautiful. Tibby is into making films, is kind of opinionated, and was an only child for years until her parents decided to have two more children when she was already a teenager! Carmen is a shopoholic, likes to write, is Puerto Rican, and has to deal with four parents on a regular basis. And Bridget, who is generally known as being "hot" is a soccer fiend whose mother died right before the very first book. They are such good books! Girls who like girly (but good girly books) will love these books! This is one of those series of books that might appeal to both the Inspirational Readers as well as Gossip Girl fans!!! Till next time! - Suzanne

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

You probably don't remember this at all, but when the movie Forrest Gump came out it was hyped up to be the best movie basically of all time. I didn't see it in the movie theatres. I assumed that it couldn't be as good as all that and I wasn't going to waste my money. I let all my friends and my entire family go see it before I did because I've got a stubborn streak. I knew it couldn't be that good and guess what? It was! I cried the first time I saw it and I wasted no time jumping on the "I can quote every line in Forrest Gump" bandwagon. It is seldom that such a treat happens. This book is one of those treats. Believe the hype. Check this book out. Set aside some time. Get an apple and a glass of milk and dive in. You will love this book. It's about Nazi Germany during World War II. It's narrated by Death and it tells the story of Liesel Meminger...the one and only Book Thief. -Till next time! Suzanne

Between Mom and Jo

Nick Tyler has what he consideres to be a very normal life. He loves aquariums, paint ball, and cooking, and...by the way...he has two moms. Well he did. This book takes the reader on a journey through Nick's flashbacks and gives us a very clear picture of the events leading up to Nick's life changing decision at the end of the book (which I'm not going to tell you!). Living with two lesbian parents is hard enough but when one of them comes down with breast cancer and the other one is an alcoholic things get a little bit shaky to say the least. I loved this book. I had to deal with a divorce when I was twelve. I have a friend whose mom is a recovering alcoholic. My best friend had to deal with both her parents having different kinds of cancer at the same time (they both recovered). I know you all have similar issues you deal with every day. Reading Nick's experiences gave me another picture of a complex life that it was very easy to sympathize with. Read it! -Till next time! Suzanne