Five, Six, Seven, NATE! by Tim Federle

     Tim Federle follows Better Nate Than Ever with another awe-inspiring story from the heart. Nate's journey in New York continues and takes turns so exciting and sharp you had best wear your seat belt.

     In Five, Six, Seven, NATE!, Nate Foster (my new superhero) is an understudy to the role of E.T. in Broadway's production of E.T.: The Musical. Nate must deal with a wide variety of creative staff, some old and some new, including a director who can't remember Nate's name and a choreographer fueled by junk food and poor fashion. At times it seems no matter how bright Nate shines, the staff only sees a sparkle and then other times when Nate would rather not be noticed, he's seen by all.

     In a rather interesting series of events Nate befriends Asella, a fellow understudy with 25 years' experience, who it would seem never carried much of a liking for children until Nate. With his best friend Libby's support from afar and the local support of Asella and his aunt Heidi, Nate is armed with all tools needed to navigate the business of show business in this gripping sequel.

Author Tim Federle

     I couldn't put this book down. A note from a secret admirer, the uncertainty of the production's future, tension with the leading role of Elliot, Jordan Rylance, who is also originally from the Pittsburgh area as well and incidental miracles will entrust your hands to the covers until you've finished the story, welcomed it into your heart, and shelved the book among your favorites.

     I finished this book in less than 24 hours and found myself filled to the brim with tears of joy throughout the final four chapters. I, as well as I'm sure many others, relate to the main character Nate and can't help but find myself going through so many emotions as if for the first time again with Nate. Euphoria, fear, worry, hopelessness, shame, hope, confusion, excitement, uncertainty and my favorite: love.

     Five, Six, Seven, NATE! will keep you on the edge of your futon and grinning from ear to ear by the end. Pre-Order Federle's newest book (to be released January 28th, 2014) in hardcover or for your Amazon Kindle.

Gump & Co. by Winston Groom

If you're like me you're surprised to hear that there's a sequel to one of America's most heart-warming stories, Forrest Gump. Winston Groom originally wrote Forrest Gump (1986) and then agreed to the movie deal (1994). Following the release of the film, Groom released his sequel to the story in 1995, Gump & Co.

There are many new, wonderful adventures in store for Forrest Gump in this second book. For example, he invents a new Coca-Cola product, works on a pig farm, meets Lieutenant Dan and Sue (his orangutan I mentioned from the first book) again, joins the army again in World War I, meets the President, unknowingly becomes President of an insider trading business, meets Tom Hanks (the actor portraying Forrest in the 1994 film) and embarks on many more adventures, disasters and experiences. Needless to say, Forrest is still not the Forrest we know from Hollywood. However, he is the father I wanted so badly to see.

The book is begun with the death of Jenny and his mama. There's hardly any time dwelt on either of these occurrences but throughout the book Forrest sees Jenny in times of need and hears her advice. Forrest must raise "Little Forrest" no matter the distance between them. It proves a challenging but fruitful task and became the most treasured part of the entire novel for me.

I struggled a bit with Forrest Gump meeting Tom Hanks. Having seen the film before reading the first book, I already had a Forrest in mind before reading the first page. I'm not sure how my brain survived the collision on these two figures across the span of pages they shared, but it was difficult.

The "shrimpin' bidness" started in the first book fails tragically to environmental factors and a crooked accountant runs off with the remaining millions. However, by the end of this second book, Forrest starts up an oyster business in the same area he "struck gold" with shrimp. The story ends sweetly with the oyster business finding success, Forrest raising one of the brightest young men and being the best friend to all he's met along the way.

If you want to know what the creator of Forrest intended for Forrest following the film's release, read this book. Though it's impossible to take off from the film since the book was so very different, Groom does his best to tie them together in this second, and final story; thus ends the tale of Forrest Gump, fiction and film.

If you love Forrest Gump, you should check out the:

• Book
• Sequel: Gump & Co.
• Restaurant: Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
• Soundtrack
• Movie