Saints of Augustine, P.E. Ryan

This is a great read about something that often happens when you're in high school - friendships falling apart. When Sam called Charlie up to tell them they just couldn't be friends any more, no explanation was provided. Flash forward one year, and Sam and Charlie are both in rough shape. Sam is dealing with figuring out that he's gay and the implications for his relationships with his family, recently divorced parents, his dad being gay, and the new guy his mom is dating. Charlie's mom has died and his father is falling apart via alcohol while Charlie has gotten himself over his head in debt due to the pot he's been smoking.

When the situation reaches a crisis point for both of them, they realize they are really in need of a great friend . . . One of my favorite aspects of this book is that you get this sort of thing with girls as the protagonists all the time, but not so with boys, and it shows how guys really have strong and important friendships without being corny or fake.

The Rules for Hearts, Sara Ryan

This is the looooooooooong anticipated sequel to Empress of the World, also by Sara Ryan. But in reality, this is a solid book in its own right and I think it is probably more enjoyable to just think of it like that, instead of as a sequel.

Here we follow Battle to Seattle, where she is about to start college, away from her parents and to her black sheep of a brother, to live in a crazy house with some fun and crazy people (reminded me a wee bit of Broken for You, but just a wee bit).

A quick read, a sweet read, and an emotional one for anyone who has had a sibling who is maybe not so . . . ermmm . . . well, normal. I mean, Battle isn't the most "normal" person herself, either, but she's got it together in comparison to her older brother. And it's hard when your older sibling needs as much help as Battle's brother needs. Very hard.