Title: The Host
Author: Stephanie Meyers
Recommended by: Courtney Atkins

Don't let the fact that this book was written by the same woman who wrote the Twilight series sway your opinion, here. It is so different from those books I have a hard time believe that they were written by the same woman. The Host has two main female characters and they are both great examples of strong women. But they're strong in completely different ways.
 I was going to try and tell you about the plot of The Host but I think it'll end up just confusing us all. It's about an alien invasion. It's about family and friendship and love. And it's finding all of those things in places you never would have expected.
It's been two days since I finished reading this book and I actually miss the characters. Luckily, I heard last night that Stephanie Meyers is planning on writing 2 more books in this story line. I can't wait to read more about this universe.
Bottom Line: I would absolutely recommend this book to everyone. Men, women, young, old - it doesn't matter. Everyone.

Title: Let's Pretend This Never Happened

Author: Jenny Lawson (The Bloggess)

Recommended by: Christy Atkins

This book is amazing. It is a hilarious memoir of a girl from Texas raised by a taxidermist father and a long-suffering mother. It is so incredibly funny, but there are some chapters that are touching and emotional. I'm not ashamed to admit I cried during two of the chapters. (I cried with laughter during most of the others) The only caveat I offer about this book is the language. Well, that and the mentions of drug use. This book is laden with profanity and fairly inappropriate content, but that's part of it's charm. It's an  incredibly honest look at growing up, getting married, starting a family and all the things that make you who yo are. 

Actually, one more warning: Don't read this book in public. You'll look like you're having some sort of fit trying not to laugh hysterically. 

Bottom Line: I would recommend this to anyone who isn't easily offended or scandalized. This book is not for the faint of heart. But it is so, so good. 

Title: The Girl's Guide to Hunting & Fishing 

Author: Melissa Banks

Recommended by: Rhiannon McClure

This book is hailed as the beginning of the so-called "Chick-Lit" genre. (Don't even get me started on the term chick-lit.)  It may have sparked that genre, but it is so much more than what Chick-Lit has come to mean. It's a collection of short stories in the same universe and mostly centered around Jane. She is witty and  a little broken and very, very real. On the surface, it's about Jane's relationships with her family and her boyfriends (and, in one story, her neighbors) but what this book is really about is how Jane relates to herself. 

Bottom Line: I don't know that I would recommend this book to everyone. It's very good and I liked it quite a bit, but I know that the style isn't for everyone. I would, however, recommend the last chapter to everyone. It is fantastic view of what happens when you listen to others instead of yourself (even if 'others' here means the authors of a self-help book.)