Emilie Summer

But if it is a teenage, if it's two teens, then I would say yes to Crux.

If it's an adult helping out a teen, I would say just stick with the people we keep.

I was also reminded of the book Where the Heart Is by Billy Letts, which is way too old.

It was really good.

And it was also made into a movie a long time ago with Natalie Portman and Ashley Judd.

If you catch yourself on a Sunday afternoon flipping channels, I guess that's not what we do anymore since everything's on streaming.

But if you have a free afternoon and that one comes across your way, it's worth watching.

I'm also reminded of an even better book and even better movie adaptation, which is About a Boy by Nick Hornby.

Also probably too old, too big, but it's so wonderful.

So if it's new to you, check it out.

And if it's not new, then it's worth revisiting both the book and the movie.

So good.

A book that may be too old probably is too old and honestly is probably too under the radar and too small to be effective in getting someone to look at your work.

But it's called Stray City by Chelsea Johnson.

It's a wonderful chosen family book about breaking out of one comfort zone when something or someone unexpected pops into your life.

I really liked it.

If you find a copy of that, that's a pleasure to read.

And something more recent that I think does fit really well and is a comp to consider is called Sky Falling by Mia McKenzie.

And that's about a protagonist who also delights in being fiercely independent.

She's not settling down.