Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

 Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn - 289 pages

Sometimes you find love in the most unexpected of places...

This is not one of those times.

Everyone expects Billie Bridgerton to marry one of the Rokesby brothers. The two families have been neighbors for centuries, and as a child the tomboyish Billie ran wild with Edward and Andrew. Either one would make a perfect husband... someday.

Sometimes you fall in love with exactly the person you think you should...

Or not.

There is only one Rokesby Billie absolutely cannot tolerate, and that is George. He may be the eldest and heir to the earldom, but he's arrogant, annoying, and she's absolutely certain he detests her. Which is perfectly convenient, as she can't stand the sight of him, either.

But sometimes fate has a wicked sense of humor...

Because when Billie and George are quite literally thrown together, a whole new sort of sparks begins to fly. And when these lifelong adversaries finally kiss, they just might discover that the one person they can't abide is the one person they can't live without...

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Bachman

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Bachman-337 pages

I was not sure if I could warm up to Ove..he is such a curmudgeon.  It seems to take an extremely long time for the author to actually bring out why he is so despondent.  But then it turned into a feel good story.  Through many mishaps, yelling and finger pointing, a group of neighbors break through his crusty exterior and finally reach his heart.  I enjoyed it and look forward to Tom Hanks playing Ove.

Yotsuba&!, v.1-5 by Kiyohiko Azuma

Yotsuba&!, v. 1 by Kiyohiko Azuma - 232 pages
Yotsuba&!, v. 2 by Kiyohiko Azuma - 200 pages
Yotsuba&!, v. 3 by Kiyohiko Azuma - 184 pages
Yotsuba&!, v. 4 by Kiyohiko Azuma - 192 pages
Yotsuba&!, v. 5 by Kiyohiko Azuma - 216 pages

Yotsuba is an energetic, excitable girl that has newly moved to a new town.  She immediately makes friends with the family next door.  This manga series tells everyday stories of Yotsuba, her dad, their friends, and the family next door.  It's a cute, fun series to read.  I absolutely recommend it to everyone.

Modern Lovers by Emma Straub

Modern Lovers by Emma Straub, 368 pages

Friends and former college bandmates Elizabeth and Andrew and Zoe have watched one another marry, buy real estate, and start businesses and families, all while trying to hold on to the identities of their youth. But nothing ages them like having to suddenly pass the torch (of sexuality, independence, and the ineffable alchemy of cool) to their own offspring.

Back in the band's heyday, Elizabeth put on a snarl over her Midwestern smile, Andrew let his unwashed hair grow past his chin, and Zoe was the lesbian all the straight women wanted to sleep with. Now nearing fifty, they all live within shouting distance in the same neighborhood deep in gentrified Brooklyn, and the trappings of the adult world seem to have arrived with ease. But the summer that their children reach maturity (and start sleeping together), the fabric of the adult lives suddenly begins to unravel, and the secrets and revelations that are finally let loose—about themselves, and about the famous fourth band member who soared and fell without them—can never be reclaimed.

Straub packs wisdom and insight and humor together in a satisfying book about neighbors and nosiness, ambition and pleasure, the excitement of youth, the shock of middle age, and the fact that our passions—be they food, or friendship, or music—never go away, they just evolve and grow along with us.

**Interesting from a sociological perspective but this was a book I thought numerous times about giving up on. I hate quitting a book midway.

Good Neighbors by Colin Thompson

Good Neighbors by Colin Thompson - 214 pages
The Floods #1

The Floods live a nearly perfect life.  They love their home.  It's perfect for them.  Except for one thing -- the neighbors.  The Dents are the worst possible neighbors for anyone.  But what can be done?

I loved this book.  It reminded me of the Addams Family -- one of my favorite shows.  The Floods are a family of witches that are slightly creepy but very kind and loving.  The way they deal with the Dents is amusing.  This would be a great series for kids in elementary school.

The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy

The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy - 260 pages

This book tells the story of a family over the course of one school year.  It is a pretty normal family with four boys and two dads.  The boys are sports fanatics that are trying new things, dealing with changing friendships, and experiencing new schools.
I really enjoyed this book.  It was great to see a book dealing with gay fathers that never made it an issue.  The only time it was even mentioned was at a family night at a new school.  It mainly focused on the stories of the boys dealing with changing relationships and interests.  It kind of reminded me of the Casson family books by Hilary McKay in that regards.  I'm hoping that the author writes another story about the Fletcher family.
Two interesting notes about the book.  First make sure to read the Acknowledgements at the end of the book.  They are absolutely hilarious -- with footnotes.  Also, the author is the niece of prolific children's author Elizabeth Levy.  It's obvious she got her aunt's talent for writing humorous stories for children.

MSCHMITT--Meet the Neighbors Natalie Shaw 16

 MSCHMITT--Meet the Neighbors Natalie Shaw 16
Daniel Tiger has lots of neighbors and friends and he is ready for you to meet all of them! There is Katterina Kittycat, O the owl, Prince Wednesday and teacher Harriet! This Board book is a great beginning to little ones to learn about their neighbors and the place that they live.