I am fairly certain that The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants was my generation's Hunger Games. As far as I was concerned, I was the fifth member of the sisterhood. So, you can imagine my excitement when I realized that Ann Brashares wrote one last installment to the series, The Sisterhood Everlasting. The book picks up about 10 years after the last book and gives the reader a glimpse into the girls' lives now that they are "grown up." Lena pursed her love for art and became an art teacher, Bridget is still a free-spirit, Carmen followed her dream and became a successful actress, and Tibby seems to have fallen off the face of the Earth. I could not put this book down, not unlike the previous three, and can honestly say that it was the perfect end to a series that was so much a part of my adolescence.

I could not put this book down, and have reread it at least 3 times since. It is the perfect book to read along-side the pool or beach. This book offers a twist on childhood friendship through the main characters, Darcy and Rachel. Although the idea of infidelity might not sound like an intriguing book topic, the events that surround the taboo subject make the book light-hearted and fun to read.

My new favorite cookbook is Michigan's Guide to Local Cooking. There are a plethora of extremely neat things about this book, but I will touch on only a few. The introduction of the book discusses the pros and cons of shopping and using locally grown or raised food and emphasizes the importance of incorporating fruits and vegetables into your diet. It then provides the reader with a table of crops that are grown right here in Michigan along with the seasons they are available in. Finally, my favorite part, the recipes offer fresh dishes that look so yummy and are healthy for you as well! My favorite recipe, so far, is the "Egg Lemon Soup". The title scared me a little bit; it conjured images of fried eggs and pits of lemon floating around in a watery broth. Nevertheless, I was curious and had to try it out for myself. This soup is flavorful, light, and delicious! It was the perfect dish to serve on a cold winter's night paired with a loaf of homemade bread. I cannot wait to test out some of the other recipes that require ingredients available in the spring and summer seasons such as the "Cherry Granita" and "Cherry Salsa". This is truly an exquisite cookbook and ode to the beautiful state of Michigan. 

This is by far my favorite children’s book. Along-side the beautiful illustrations is a very eloquently written story of a little girl going Up North to stay with her grandparents on vacation. It is written from her perspective, so it offers a very accurate insight into the mind of a child. She swims in the lake, eats dinner on the screened in porch with her grandparents, and even goes on an adventure in the woods where she imagines she is in an Indian tribe. This is the perfect book for any child to read while on vacation in Northern Michigan.

Let me preface this by saying that I am not a historical fiction reader....at all. However, when I read this book (pre movie) I was captivated. I knew next to nothing about the notorious Henry VIII prior to reading The Other Boleyn Girl, besides the fact that he clearly had issues keeping a wife. Along with a brief history lesson, the book is written in a way that makes the reader feel like they are actually in the scenes perhaps as a member of the court, or an ear for either Boleyn girl to vent to. Thanks to this book, I am now intrigued by the Tudor era. Be warned, this is one book you can't put down!

The Velveteen Rabbit holds a special place in my heart. I have a stuffed lamb, Lamby, who I took everywhere and was very loved, not too unlike the Velveteen Rabbit. This story is so relatable to most children and belongs on every child's bookshelf. It is a treasure and is absolutely timeless.