Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

 Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

420 pages

★★★★

Macy Sorensen is settling into an ambitious if emotionally tepid routine: work hard as a new pediatrics resident, plan her wedding to an older, financially secure man, keep her head down and heart tucked away. 

But when she runs into Elliot Petropoulos--the first and only love of her life--the careful bubble she's constructed begins to dissolve. Once upon a time, Elliot was Macy's entire world--growing from her gangly bookish friend into the man who coaxed her heart open again after the loss of her mother...only to break it on the very night he declared his love for her.

Cartographers by Peng Shepherd

Cartographers by Peng Shepherd, 392 p.

"Nell Young’s whole life and greatest passion is cartography. Her father, Dr. Daniel Young, is a legend in the field and Nell’s personal hero. But she hasn’t seen or spoken to him ever since he cruelly fired her and destroyed her reputation after an argument over an old, cheap gas station highway map.

But when Dr. Young is found dead in his office at the New York Public Library, with the very same seemingly worthless map hidden in his desk, Nell can’t resist investigating. To her surprise, she soon discovers that the map is incredibly valuable and exceedingly rare. In fact, she may now have the only copy left in existence... because a mysterious collector has been hunting down and destroying every last one—along with anyone who gets in the way. 
But why? To answer that question, Nell embarks on a dangerous journey to reveal a dark family secret and discovers the true power that lies in maps...

From the critically acclaimed author of The Book of M, a highly imaginative thriller about a young woman who discovers that a strange map in her deceased father’s belongings holds an incredible, deadly secret—one that will lead her on an extraordinary adventure and to the truth about her family’s dark history. "--Goodreads blurb

This recently released book was a pleasant surprise for me. I picked it up because it sounded intriguing, and the writing really kept me engaged. With so many characters and several different timelines, there was a lot of story to soak in, and there was an unexpected fantastical twist. I will add this author to my list of authors to watch!
 

The Office BFFs: Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were There by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey

 The Office BFFs: Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were There by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey-321 pages

I really enjoyed reading this. I was a huge fan of The Office (and I still am). It's really cool that Angela and Jenna are best friends in real life and started their friendship on set while filming the first season of The Office. It's fun to learn some behind the scenes facts and stories. It seems like genuine friendships were made while filming the show and the crew sincerely got along well. The authors share that it was a very collaborative work environment on set and that the actors had some say in the direction of their characters. This is very rare in film and tv, which the authors mention. It's also cool that Jenna grew up in St. Louis and studied theater at Truman State University before moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting. I've enjoyed reading stories about happenings on set and behind the scenes. The cast celebrated holidays together in real life in addition to on set. The authors share tips on attending awards shows and share encounters with other celebrities (like meeting Meryl Streep at an awards show and Angela being photographed with Billie Eilish, who is a big fan of The Office, at an airport). Also, Jenna shares some stories and favorite moments from the onscreen relationship between her character and John Krasinki's character, Jim. She titles this chapter "Jam" (Jim plus Pam). I especially enjoyed reading what she writes about the Casino Night episode and the kiss between Jim and Pam. I also enjoyed reading about their filming for the wedding scene at Niagara Falls. Angela writes a chapter about Dwangela (Dwight and Angela). They share a story about an episode during the final season when they have to ride a bus to film the episode and almost die of accidental poisoning. Their chapter on the series finale episode is really good. They share thoughts on different moments from filming the finale and watching the finale months later. The final chapter is about them starting the podcast Office Ladies and how it came about. I would recommend this to anyone who was/is a fan of The Office. I really enjoyed reading it. 

The Fourth Time Charm by Maya Hughes

The Fourth Time Charm by Maya Hughes -- 321 pages

“Are you sleeping with my daughter?” Not a question I want to hear from my coach. The man holding my pro future in the palm of his hand. The answer: No. The real answer: I’d sure as hell like to be.

Marisa’s been my best friend since third grade. And now she needs my help—and a place to stay. Senior year was supposed to be the year to keep some distance until the season finished and my draft prospects were safe. But resisting her is becoming impossible. Movie Thursdays under the blankets. Study sessions on my bed. Wild party nights where I kept any guy interested at bay with a single glare. Her dad can bench my ass for the entire season, so she’s off limits—for now.

She’s the only woman I’ve ever loved. And one heated night, I can’t stop fighting every cell in my body and can’t stop myself from sampling her sexy smile, her sweet smell, and her sultry curves. We’re walking a tightrope with my future on the line. Let’s just make sure Coach doesn’t find out...

 Surfside Sisters by Nancy Thayer - 304 pages


Growing up, Keely and her best friend, Isabelle, were inseparable. Both girls wanted to become authors.  Nothing could come between them—except, as it turned out, Keely’s high school boyfriend, Tommy. 

Through the many twists and turns, one achieves her dream, but love has evaded her.  The other has a beautiful family but has not achieved her dream of becoming a novelist.

I enjoyed this book and the characters.  Nancy Thayer writes an uplifting tale of family, love and forgiveness.

Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King

Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King-336 pages; Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book, 2011; Edgar Award Nominee, 2011

I read Glory O'Brien's History of the Future (also by A.S. King) for class during library school last summer and thought it was pretty weird, but decided to give this one a try when I saw it was a Printz Honor Book. I enjoyed reading this one a lot better. There was still a bit of strangeness, but it was believable strangeness. I especially liked the ending when Vera finally tells the police (and her dad) the truth about what happened to her best friend (most of the time) Charlie Kahn and who really burned down the pet store. Another thing I like is the reality in the story and how it could be very relatable, not only to teens but also to anyone reading it. Finally, I like that the protagonist comes to terms with herself and her relationship with her dad and her mom's departure (that was one good thing about Glory O'Brien, as well).

Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas

Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas 388 pages

It's Spring Break of senior year. Anna, her boyfriend Tate, her best friend Elise, and a few other close friends are off to a debaucherous trip to Aruba that promises to be the time of their lives. But when Elise is found brutally murdered, Anna finds herself trapped in a country not her own, fighting against vile and contemptuous accusations. As Anna sets out to find her friend's killer, she discovers harsh revelations about her friendships, the slippery nature of truth, and the ache of young love. Awaiting the judge's decree, it becomes clear to Anna that everyone around her thinks she is not only guilty, but also dangerous. And when the whole story comes out, reality is more shocking than anyone ever imagined...

The F--It List by Julie Halpern- 256 pages

Alex's best friend Becca, slept with her boyfriend on the day of her dad's funeral. Unable to forgive her, she disengages from her until hearing a rumor that Becca has cancer. Deciding to try and reconcile the friendship, she goes to see her and finds that the rumor is true.  Becca has a request. Help her to fulfill her bucket list.  Will they check everything off of their list? And what, if anything, will they gain along the way?

Little Miss Curious