GREAT READS

Derby Girl

Shauna Cross.

Bliss Cavendar doesn't feel anything like her name might imply. She's stuck in the ‘burbs, her mom has delusions of beauty pageant success, and there's a major shortage on cute guys to gawk at. Her only pleasures in life are listening to music, shoplifting with her BFF at the Wal-Mart, and getting away with mild insubordination at her sucky job. Then, on a fateful trip to the big city, Bliss finds her calling: an all-girl roller derby league is just what she needs to break out of her small-town funk and live the life she has always imagined. And if she happens to meet a smoldering indie cutie at the same time? Even better! But Bliss can only keep her secret identity as Babe Ruthless - the hip-checking, point-scoring roller derby queen - from her parents for so long. Just when everything seems to be going so right, Bliss' life takes a 180° spin for the worse. Her skates are confiscated, her best friend is in a huff, and her new indie-cute boyfriend is on a three week tour with his band...and their groupies. If you've ever felt left out, misunderstood, or a little rebellious, you'll love to root for Bliss as she tackles the problems that life (and her misguided parents) throw at her time after time. Derby Girl is also the inspiration behind the recent Drew Barrymore flick "Whip It," starring Ellen Page.

Recommended by Ashley Fetterolf