Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve always been fascinated by the intensity of friendships, whether they last a few months or a lifetime. For me, unlikely friendships have always been the most interesting, whether it be differences in class, age, hobbies, etc. I think all people can find common ground if they just listen to one another and talk for a minute. I love books featuring unlikely duos and almost always include them in my own novels. I hope you enjoy these books as much as I do, and they remind you of the best friends you’ve ever had.


I wrote

One Night

By Deanna Cabinian,

Book cover of One Night

What is my book about?

One Night is a contemporary YA romance novel about teen angst, unrequited love, and self-discovery set to the beat of…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Because You'll Never Meet Me

Deanna Cabinian Why did I love this book?

Because You’ll Never Meet Me is a YA novel that takes quirky friendships to a different level. Ollie is allergic to electricity and Moritz suffers from a rare heart condition. He was also born without eyes. Because of their medical issues, Ollie and Moritz can never meet. Ollie’s mom and doctor urge him to befriend someone like him and he and Moritz become long-distance pen pals. Their friendship is brought to life through the heartfelt letters they write to each other. There’s also a dark secret about their past and where they came from. 

By Leah Thomas,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Because You'll Never Meet Me as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Ollie and Moritz are two teenagers who will never meet. Each of them lives with a life-affecting illness. Contact with electricity sends Ollie into debilitating seizures, while Moritz has a heart defect and is kept alive by an electronic pacemaker. If they did meet, Ollie would seize, but turning off the pacemaker would kill Moritz.

Through an exchange of letters, the two boys develop a strong bond of friendship which becomes a lifeline during dark times - until Moritz reveals that he holds the key to their shared, sinister past, and has been keeping it from Ollie all along.


Book cover of Me and a Guy Named Elvis: My Lifelong Friendship with Elvis Presley

Deanna Cabinian Why did I love this book?

Me and a Guy Named Elvis is a book I couldn’t put down. My sister and I took a road trip to Graceland years ago and ever since we’ve been a bit fascinated by Elvis. Jerry is a regular guy who happens to meet Elvis right before he becomes a star. Jerry is several years younger, but that doesn’t matter. What ensues is a decades-long friendship that takes Jerry on many adventures -- some out of this world and some heartbreaking. It’s an inside look at Elvis the superstar as well as Elvis the “regular guy.”

By Jerry Schilling, Chuck Crisafulli,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Me and a Guy Named Elvis as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

On a lazy Sunday in 1954, twelve-year-old Jerry Schilling wandered into a Memphis touch football game, only to discover that his team was quarterbacked by a nineteen-year-old Elvis Presley, the local teenager whose first record, "That's All Right," had just debuted on Memphis radio. The two became fast friends, even as Elvis turned into the world's biggest star. In 1964, Elvis invited Jerry to work for him as part of his "Memphis Mafia," and Jerry soon found himself living with Elvis full-time in a Bel Air mansion and, later, in his own room at Graceland. Over the next thirteen years…


Book cover of The One Thing

Deanna Cabinian Why did I love this book?

This YA novel is a page-turner about an unlikely friendship that sounds crazy but just works. Teenage Maggie is blind until the day she suddenly starts seeing Ben, a ten-year-old boy. Ben is the only person she can see and over time they develop a strong bond. I love this book because I’ve had friendships with people who are 5, 10, and 15 years older than me. I’m a firm believer that two people don’t necessarily have to be the same age to share a special connection and this book delivers on that idea.

By Marci Lyn Curtis,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The One Thing as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?


Maggie Sanders might be blind, but she won't invite anyone to her pity party. Ever since losing her sight six months ago, Maggie's rebellious streak has taken on a life of its own, culminating with an elaborate school prank. Maggie called it genius. The judge called it illegal.

Now Maggie has a probation officer. But she isn't interested in rehabilitation, not when she's still mourning the loss of her professional-soccer dreams, and furious at her so-called friends, who lost interest in her as soon as she could no longer lead the team to victory.

Then Maggie's whole world is turned…


Book cover of Crenshaw

Deanna Cabinian Why did I love this book?

I normally avoid reading books with an element of fantasy, but I loved this one by Katherine Applegate. Jackson has an imaginary friend named Crenshaw who is a giant cat. He hasn’t seen Crenshaw in a while but one day Crenshaw reappears to help him through a difficult time. Even though I knew Crenshaw wasn’t real, Applegate’s writing makes him come alive. This book will make you believe in magic and the power of friendship.

By Katherine Applegate,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Crenshaw as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 9, 10, 11, and 12.

What is this book about?

The heart-warming new story about family and friendships from Newbery Medal-winner Katherine Applegate.

Life is tough for ten-year-old Jackson. The landlord is often at the door, there's not much food in the fridge and he's worried that any day now the family will have to move out of their home. Again.

Crenshaw is a cat. He's large, he's outspoken and he's imaginary. He's come back into Jackson's life to help him but is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything?

A heart-warming story about family and friendships from Newbery medal winner Katherine Applegate.


Book cover of Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog

Deanna Cabinian Why did I love this book?

I love dogs so I’m probably biased, but Marley & Me is a life-affirming story about John and his unruly dog Marley. Since I’ve had dogs who are smart but don’t necessarily listen all the time, I could relate to this book. Marley wreaks havoc on John’s life but also brings his family joy and unconditional love. John and Marley’s story will make you laugh, and probably cry but in a happy way. 

By John Grogan,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Marley & Me as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

THE NO. 1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER THAT MOVED DOG LOVERS ALL OVER THE WORLD

**NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE, STARRING OWEN WILSON AND JENNIFER ANISTON**

'A book with intense appeal . . . tenderly follows its subject from sunrise to sunset'
New York Times

'Not just a funny dog story . . . It's a universal story of family life and a publishing sensation' The Times

'Made me laugh so much I pulled a muscle in my solar plexus' Daily Mail

'A wonderful, moving book that even non-dog-lovers cannot fail to enjoy' Mail on Sunday

* * * * *…


Explore my book 😀

One Night

By Deanna Cabinian,

Book cover of One Night

What is my book about?

One Night is a contemporary YA romance novel about teen angst, unrequited love, and self-discovery set to the beat of Elvis Presley's music.

Thompson is miserable. Even though Caroline broke his heart, he wants her back. With his mind on her, his life takes an unexpected turn. Johnny Lee Young, Hawaii’s Favorite Elvis Impersonator, gives him a job. Thompson knows nothing about celebrity impersonators, but he does know social media. Will he get Caroline back and find his true love? One Night is a delightful coming-of-age tale perfect for fans of John Green and Maureen Johnson. It’s an unforgettable story of friendship and finding yourself, of heartache and healing, and of the remarkable turns a life can take in One Night.

Book cover of Because You'll Never Meet Me
Book cover of Me and a Guy Named Elvis: My Lifelong Friendship with Elvis Presley
Book cover of The One Thing

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Christmas Actually

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Book cover of Christmas Actually

Lisa Darcy Author Of The Pact

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Cat lover Traveler Reader Amateur tennis player Foodie

Lisa's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

Every picture tells a story, but it’s not always the one we expect or remember. Christmas Actually is a festive drama about family and forgiveness and a snapshot of modern family life, addressing Instagram to motherhood and everything in between.

Why Christmas? My publisher wanted my new novel to have a festive theme, specifically set in Australia–sun, surf, sunburn, and prawns. Christmas in Australia is very different from Christmas in the UK, USA, and Canada. We typically wear shorts and t-shirts, eat salad and seafood for Christmas lunch, and play beach cricket in the afternoon. Despite the season, conflicts, secrets,…

Christmas Actually

By Lisa Darcy,

What is this book about?

Time spent with family can be challenging, especially at Christmas actually…

Kate Cavendish is stuck in a rut. That is until a former colleague contacts her and offers her a chance to fulfil her lifelong dream of becoming a successful photographer.

With her focus pulled in all directions by her children, her pregnant sister, her newly-dating mother, and the niggling worry that her husband might be having an affair, Kate is filled with self-doubt.

Then as the countdown to Christmas begins, and memories of her own childhood resurface, Kate’s anxiety deepens – both personally and professionally. Can she move on…


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