I usually try and report on the books I receive on the last day of the month, but I'm not posting on Friday, so I thought I'd share what I have, today:

20 Something Manifesto: Quarter Lifers Speak Out About Who They Are What They Want and How to Get It and 20 Something, 20 Everything: A Quarter-Life Woman's Guide to Balance and Direction by Christine Hassler

When I was working at ReadBoston I shared my office with this fabulous young woman who had just graduated from college. We became good friends and I became privy to a lot of the turmoil she faced in those first few years on her own. I totally recall having this discussion with her about what an intense time of life your early 20's are and how we don't pay much attention to them culturally. Often, we don't acknowledge this crazy transition because let's face it, we're supposed to be having fun, right? I remember telling her about how hard my 20's were and how much I loved my 30's in contrast. I wish I had had these books to share with her. Balance and direction are key to that crucial coming-of-age time. Most of us make it, but it doesn't have to be so stressful. I'm happy to say... she's almost 30 now, got her master's in education, completed her first year of teaching this year, and getting married this summer! Awwwww.

Chill by Deborah Reber (On a similar note, stress-management for the younger set. Really useful information and IMHO a really important subject.)

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow (Getting a lot of hype and it really does look good! Terrorism, the Department of Homeland Security, and a teenager bound and determined to hack his way to justice.)

Black Rabbit Summer by Kevin Brooks (I like the cover. It seems straight forward: Old friends reunite one night and things don't go so well. Soon after, a girl goes missing and each of them is considered a suspect.)

Cruel Summer by Alyson Noel (After finally breaking into the popular crowd at school, Colby is yanked out of her element and sent off to Greece for the summer. ) Sounds good to me.

Tales From the Brother Grimm, Adapted by Mazan, Cecile Chicault, and Phillip Petit (A Classics Illustrated graphic novel from Papercutz, featuring: 'Hansel and Gretel', 'The Devil and the Three Golden Hairs', and 'The Valiant Little Tailor'.)

Fashion 101: A Crash Course in Clothing by Erica Stalder (A super fun and historic examination of clothes and fashion for teens...and me.)

Posted by alli