Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan

     Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan is the teenage love story of Paul who meets Noah. Paul is blessed in the way that his community and family is more open and accepting than most from my personal experience. Reading this was a nice vacation from my reality where things would play out quite differently.

     It's not easy for all of Paul's gender and sexually diverse friends despite the general community's feelings of equality. Tony comes from a very religious family and is basically on house arrest for his parents' fear the devil will influence Tony's soul in a homosexual manner and bind him to eternal damnation. Unless a girl is involved in an adventure, it's unlikely Tony is going anywhere.

     Infinite Darlene, formerly a Daryl, is a homecoming queen/star quarterback hybrid of a student who can be overly dramatic but acts with the best of intentions from a big heart.

     Joni has been friends with Paul for what seems like "forever" but things go sour when Joni begins dating a guy that Paul (and many others) can hardly stand.

Author David Levithan

     Noah, perspective love interest of Paul's, is the newest addition to the community. He recently moved his easels and photography equipment into a home not far from Paul's. They first meet in a bookstore and things are looking good until Paul's past catches up with him.

     Kyle, Paul's ex, is struggling with his identity and pulls Paul into a situation previously thought laughable at best. Life has a funny way of mending their relationship as friends while simultaneously causing problems between Paul and Noah.

     I think I found this book fascinating because it takes place in an atmosphere of acceptance, love and progressiveness I'm not used to. I dream of a comfortable enough time to hold hands with my husband whenever and wherever or talk freely with my peers about gay relationships and culture without feeling the all-too-familiar marginalization that comes with living in areas such as the one I reside in. I should take a lesson from Tony and his courageous spirit.

You can find Boy Meets Boy at your local library. You can also purchase it on Amazon for your Kindle, as a paperback or audiobook.

Looking For Alaska by John Green

     Looking for Alaska by John Green is absolutely fantastic and splendid! If you've read the book, you might remember that a girl named Alaska would leap into those words (absolutely, splendid and fantastic). The depth to which Green goes into conveying the personality and spirit of each character in this book is wonderful to explore and makes it easy to conjure an image, then bring to life the story in your mind. Because of the well-developed characters and their respective spirits, you're sure to keep this book close to heart and soul.

     Because this "coming-of-age" story is split into two parts, "Before" and "After", around a central event, I cannot easily describe much of the book's wonder without spoiling what is sure to be a new favorite of prospective readers.

     Miles "Pudge" Halter is in search of the "Great Perhaps". Upon moving into Culver Creek, a boarding school, he is sure his chances of finding the Great Perhaps are more likely because of the friends he makes almost immediately. Life at the Creek is exciting, unpredictable and fun. He embarks on adventures rather frequently with his roommate "The Colonel" and their mutual friends Alaska and Takumi.

     Alaska is moody, fun, intelligent and broken. At times, Miles is unsure what Alaska's most recent issue with the world is, but he grows accustomed to her mood swings and finds himself head over heels for her anyway. Though Alaska is dating a guy named Jake, Miles can't stop the feelings he has for Alaska but keeps them safely tucked away for the sake of their friendship.

Author John Green

     Miles has found acceptance, love and adventure at the Creek and it seems things couldn't get any better on his journey to the Great Perhaps. Life has a way, however, of throwing a wrench in the motor of a smooth-running machine at times. Suddenly things are moving (and stumbling) at the speed of life and you, the reader, are along for the ride. Miles and his friends find themselves in a world turned topsy-turvy and gray where tough questions are left unanswered.

     You're certain to find yourself enveloped in the setting, the characters and the storyline. I would encourage you to read this novel to discover what exactly happens at the Creek that thrusts Miles & Co. into some of life's biggest issues no one can really expect or prepare for, especially at their age.

     You can find Looking For Alaska at your local library. You can also purchase it from Amazon for your Kindle, as a hardcover, paperback or audiobook.

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.

Friendfluence by Carlin Flora

     I picked up Friendfluence by Carlin Flora (Psychology Today) after spotting its simple, yet eye-catching cover art of a ring of varying colors of leaves touching edges. As your eyes follow the circle, the colors gradually fade from one to the next to the next seamlessly. Where the green and red leaves aren't necessarily touching, they're still in the same network, much like we are all connected through a friend who knows a friend who knows a friend.

     You might have picked up from the title or my opening bit that this book is about people, more specifically the people we call friends. The clever title Friendfluence refers to, as described in the book, "...the powerful and often unappreciated role that friends - past and present - play in determining our sense of self and the direction of our lives." Or more simply, the influence our friends have on us.

     Throughout the first few chapters, Friendfluence explores our social behaviors based on temperaments, peers and adults in our proximity from birth through adolescence. The logic is peppered with real-life personal accounts from various people from around the world that clearly illustrate, and prove, topics being discussed. In addition to personal accounts are the professional quotes and opinions from others in Flora's field studying social relations and behaviors.

     The remainder of the book explores the benefits, the joys, the consequences and tribulations of friendships as adults. Not surprisingly, as a millennial, I found Chapter 7 on social media and internet friendships to be the most intriguing. Though I maintain friendships in real life in two jobs, I have moved around so much I have friends splattered in my Iowa high school's town, Missouri, Kansas and just a few overseas.

Author Carlin Flora

     I'm thankful for, as well as mindful of, my social media accounts. While well aware they're far from holistic and show typically the better side of a person filtered through the originator's mind, I can occasionally still catch a glimpse of the complete, genuine person I knew in person and have constructed to exist in my mind to this day.

     Perhaps one of the most thought-provoking parts of this book were the lines referring to friends of our past who we keep in touch with but primarily in a nostalgic "look-at-the-times-we-had" kind of way. I've failed to re-calibrate many friendships to the present tense but now find myself challenged to fix this dilemma of "frozen-in-time" friendships.

     Flora's book is sensitive, smart and witty at times. I truly enjoyed, as a gay man, not feeling isolated but very much included in the world which Flora wrote to and about. In her epilogue Flora writes about her soon-to-be-born son saying, "I don't care too much if my son is smart or strong or handsome; I just want him to be friendly." And after reading this book, you'll see how friendliness and a solid, supportive network of friends can lend to those other traits and encourage positive character development as well as physical health.

     This guy is certainly going to work on strengthening friendships, seeking out new ones and focusing on being a better friend as I evaluate my friendships with others and open up conversations about not just this book but all the ideas and truths it holds in the hopes that my friend may also take away some wisdom and inspiration from it.

     Follow author Carlin Flora on Twitter at @carlinf
     Check out Friendfluence by Carlin Flora from your local library or find it on Amazon for your Kindle, as an old-fashioned book or audiobook via Audible.