The Happiest Baby on the Block by Dr. Harvey Karp

The best "baby" book I read. It was immensely helpful during Elise's first 7 months because she was so colicky!! I found his theory of colic very interesting as well, made sense to me. I'd highly recommend this to anyone expecting a baby. It would make a great baby shower gift.

Operating Instructions by Anne Lamott

The book was subtitled A diary of my son's first year. I read it when I was pregnant expecting a touching memoir of a woman as she becomes a mother. Boy was I mistaken. This "diary" is a chronicle of post partum depression, the trials of colic, and parenting as a single mother with minimal support. Not that I am a parent I can identfy with many of the feelings she described in her book, but man was it a depressing read. Do not read if you are pregnant!

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Bizarre. A bit too sci-fi for me, although I did think the premise was very interesting. I might have even gone so far as to say I liked it if she would have explained a bit more at the end. It was another one of those books that felt so unfinished to me. It would make a great book for book club discussion though. You could go on forever about any number of topics from the story.

White Oleander by Janet Fitch

A great book about heroism and self preservation. After her mother is inprisoned for killing her lover, Astrid is moved from one foster care home to another. In her search for security and a figure to replace her self centered mother, she turns to herself. I identified with the main character, and applauded her bravery. This would make a great book for high schoolers too.