The Book of Us by Angie Pederson is billed as "A Guide to Scrapbooking About Relationships." I was sucked into the assumption that this meant romantic relationships as in my spouse and I, but I was quickly corrected. It is about all types of relationships: families, friends, and groups we are a part of. This of course includes romantic relationships, but it is much more.

In her welcome section, Pederson introduces a 25th anniversary album she and her spouse did for his relationship with his best friend. I was very impressed that a man would admit to scrapbooking first of all, and to do an album about his relationship with his best buddy was a big step outside the box. What a neat idea, to chronicle 25 years of friendship between two men. How often is that kind of thing left out of our albums?

The Book of Us introduced me to or reacquainted me with many other ideas as well. I was touched by Jennifer Newton's "I'm Sorry" layout on page 91 that explains a mother's frustration at trying to work to make life better for her family while missing out on their daily lives in the process. I bet many of us could do a page on that, even us stay at home moms.

I also identified with the trio of "Dancing Shoes, Private Time & Romance" layouts by Margie Lundy on page 77. Lundy makes light of the realities of romance, or lack thereof, with a 4-year-old in the house.

And I was inspired by several layouts in the family chapter to work on a page about the similarities between my daughter and I. People always tell me how we look alike, and I know we have many personality traits in common, so I think it deserves a page or two in our album.

Our own Digitals designer Kristy Nerness has layouts on pages 26 and 52 about friendships, including part of a circle journal she worked on with two of her friends.

And Digitals Designer Melyssa Connolly has a lovely album titled "Letter to My Best Friend" on page 112. Connolly made it in her own handwriting as a gift book that I am sure her BF will treasure forever.

I am amazed at how much information Pederson packed in to this book. It contains 160 pages of four color layouts, quotes and tips. Each chapter has three lists to help you get started on your own pages: prompts to trigger journaling, photos to include and memorabilia to include. I am a to-do list kind of girl and I appreciate having it all laid out for me. It can't get any easier that that.

Pederson is also author of the bestselling "The Book of Me" followed by "Growing Up Me." She is editor and designer at www.OneScrappySite.com, is a professional scrapbook teacher, and is a wife and mother of two. Please join her on her Virtual Book Tour which is coming to various websites from April 24 - May 8. The book retails for $22.99 and can be purchased in scrapbook, craft and bookstores.