The Dad's Playbook to Labor & Birth by Theresa Halvorsen and Brad Halvorsen

The Dad's Playbook covers just enough information for the father-to-be to be prepared for labor and birth. Subjects include: taking pictures (make sure to talk with the hospital and your partner before hand), packing bags (for your partner, yourself, and the kids), setting ground rules for the birthing room, making friends with the hospital staff, protecting your partner's modesty, and helping your partner deal with the pain of childbirth. For the Dad who wants to be active in the birth, this book provides a plan for before, during, and after the birth.

Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris

Dug Down Deep takes on the subject of creating a solid Christian foundation. New Christians will appreciate the accessible introduction into the faith and established Christians will find a fresh analysis of why Christianity matters. The author's personal struggles reaffirm that all Christians are sinners and need God's salvation. Harris is the senior pastor at Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland and author of several books, including the best seller, I Kissed Dating Goodbye.
  

The Survival Kit by Donna Freitas

When Roses's mother dies, she leaves Rose a survival kit. Inside Rose finds an iPod, a picture of peonies, a crystal heart, a paper star, and a paper kite. The survival kit helps Rose and her family move on after her mother's death. But moving on isn't easily: her father drinks, she keeps her boyfriend at a distance, and her brother is at college. There are no easy answers to moving on, but she does so by making small changes starting with a new boyfriend who is still dealing with the death of his father. A well-written book for anyone dealing with loss.

Eminent Outlaws: The Gay Writers Who Changed America by Christopher Bram

Bram does an excellent job of providing an introduction to the gay writers that have left their marks on poetry, novels, and theater over the last century. In addition to providing insight into gay writers, Bram also provides historical context to such as the trial of Howl and the AIDS epidemic. While there is a great deal of materials to cover, Bram brilliantly covers just as enough information to illuminate the life, times, and humor in gay American writing. 
 

The Pregnancy Project by Gaby Rodriguez

When I first heard about “The Pregnancy Project,” I thought it was a horrible idea: to fake a pregnancy for a school project. I was certain the project would end up insulting teachers and students when they discovered the pregnancy was fake. To my surprise, the project was well executed. The author did a good job of documenting not only her experiences, but also that of her classmates and family. While I assumed her classmates’ gossiping about her would be harsh, what really surprised me was the families. I assumed that families of a pregnant teen would be supportive and helpful—for Rodriguez, her family pressure was worse than her classmate’s gossip. This is an eye-opening book that I would recommend to anyone, not just teenagers. While it really goes to the heart of what it's like to be pregnant in high school, it also illustrates how hurtful stereotypes can be.
 

No Turning Back by Bryan Anderson

Bryan Anderson is Iraq War Veteran and a triple-amputee (he lost his legs and an arm from a roadside explosion), but this book isn’t about the war or what he lost, this book is about what he did after that. After his accident, Anderson says he had basically two choices: "move on, or roll over and die." This book is about how he moved on. He has many life philosophies such as don’t be afraid to fall, do your best, and dream big. This book is bound to challenge readers to make positive life changes.
  

Bunheads by Sophie Flack

Nineteen year-old Hannah is a dancer with Manhattan Ballet Company. She has dedicated her entire life to ballet and she's never even been on a date. Suddenly she meets Jacob and she wants more than just ballet - she wants a life. One of her instructor frequently says, "Your job is not to have a life. Your job is to dance." But is she willing to give up ballet, everything she has worked for her entire life?