Ex-Mas, Kate Brian, Simon and Schuster, 216 pages

If you know anything about me, from my posts, you should have come across me saying multiple times that a book was too short for me.

Typically if it's under 300 pages I feel like I've been left out, only given half the story, or rushed. And I hate that, the feeling of being rushed through a story.

This book was completely unlike that.

I loved the story. I loved the idea, I loved the Christmas theme.

The blurb on the cover says "A love/hate story" and that's exactly what it was for me, because I hated Lila up until the impromptu wedding singer scene. Seriously. I kept asking myself why I bought the book because I disliked her that much. But I kept reading with the hopes that it would get better. I figured 216 pages, surely it'd get better soon.

Once I reached the wedding singer moment, everything fell into place for me.

I really enjoyed being around Beau and Lila, I related to the little sibling part of the story, having put up with my two younger sisters.

From that moment on it was awesome. Such a joy to read. There were so many different scenes through the book that just made me fall in love with it.

Of course at the end when we had to do the conflict before the resolution that I knew deep down would come, I was still annoyed that she went back, (I'm trying to be cryptic here) but ultimately I was very happy (sappy, happy) with the ending and the book.

Cast That Character:The Hunger Games

(Oct. 20) Okay guys, because I saw this...http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392170/... I’m going to start doing this...

“Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for joining us today onnnn (the audience joins in) “CAST THAT CHARACTER” That’s right, today with the knowledge that Suzanne Collins’ very much loved “The Hunger Games” is possibly being turned into a movie, slated to be released in 2011, we are going to discuss who we think could play the parts.”

So, I’d like for you to join in and leave a comment on who you think could play whatever part you want. It would be awesome if you’d include links.

I’ll go first. That being said, I don’t have a huge knowledge bank of up and coming actors. Forgive me if I’m repetative.

Katniss Everdeen-Nina Dobrev http://media.photobucket.com/image/nina%20dobrev/bastardlybutta/bastardly-photos/album123/nina-dobrev-07120901.jpg give the girl some gray contacts and I think we’ve got her folks. Plus, I can totally see her in a sporty way, which is a bit how I see Katniss.

Gale-Ethan Peck http://img.listal.com/image/693338/940full-ethan-peck.jpg

Gale was a little harder for me to figure out but he has the Seem look just like Katniss so, again throw some gray contacts his way.

Peeta Mellark-Alex Pettyfer http://www.sugarscape.com/userfiles/alex-pettyfer(1).jpg

He’s blond right? And a bakers son, but he wrestles so maybe that could explain the crooked nose?

Katniss’ mom-Rosamund Pike http://www.superiorpics.com/pictures2/PikeAG002.jpg

Because she’s beautiful, yet I’ve seen her look disheveled and she pulls it off wonderfully.

Haymitch-Daniel Craig http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2kYeOFrgUZY/Rx4dvl0sBjI/AAAAAAAAAJk/7L48Y0Fl3wI/S240/Daniel+Craig-bond.jpg Some of you are thinking, WHAT, but add some weight, grow the hair a bit. It could work, maybe some facial hair.

Prim-Bella Thorne http://www.thestarscoop.com/2008/photos/bella_thorne.jpg Maybe, lighten the hair a bit.

Rue-Chloe Moretz http://www.contactmusic.com/pics/lc/500_days_of_summer_2_250609/chloe_moretz_2474797.jpg darken the hair a bit.

Effie Trinket-for some unknown reason I think of Drew Barrymore every time. http://www.moonbattery.com/archives/Drew-Barrymore.jpg

Lastly Cinna-Joseph Gordon Levitt http://www.collider.com/uploads/imageGallery/Joseph_Gordon_Levitt/joseph_gordon_levitt__1_.jpg Not sure why he’s just who I pictured.

Guess that’s all for now. Who do you picture?

The Ex Games, Jennifer Echols, Simon Pulse, 302 pages

(Oct. 19)This book is filled with snark and banter between ex’s Nick and Hayden. They had a relationship in the 7th grade that ended badly, yet, 4 years later, neither of them has let it go completely.

Now, as Juniors, their friends are hooking up and throwing them together almost daily. Sparks fly, it’s inevitable.

I really enjoyed the witty conversations these two had but all the misunderstandings got a little annoying. Not enough to make me put it down or anything. I just wanted to yell at them both to explain what they meant so they’d get together sooner. And stay that way.

Overall the story of a battle between the sexes was a good one. I liked the fact that Echols did her research when it came to snowboarding and added snowboarding terms at the beginning of each chapter, what they meant, and how they applied to Nick and Hayden. I thought that was a little something extra from the author. And I always like a little something extra.

The secondary characters were enjoyable and believeable. Plus, I thought the relationship between Hayden and her brother Josh was very real. They fought, they teased, they helped each other out. I thought it was pretty cool that Hayden didn’t mind being around him and his friends, even when they were embarassing and juvenial, like in the diner that night.

The only thing about it that I didn’t think was believeable and it may just be me and the way I was brought up, was when Josh cussed in front of his mom. He’s 14-ish but still, she didn’t even bat an eyelash and it wasn’t like he said damn, or hell. That was my only problem with the story.

Overall a good, quick, fluffy romance. If you are in the mood for something like that, go pick it up.

Now the quotes section...

“What are you going to do, tell on me because I won a snowboarding contest?”

“That’s exactly what I’m going to do,” he called haughtily over his shoulder.

Uh-oh. I definitely did not want my parents butting into my business, especially not about this. “You had better not,” I shouted after him. “Do you hear me, O’Malley? I will tell Gavin’s sister you slept with a stuffed bunny rabbit until you were in middle school, so help me God!”

Josh dropped his board, slid down to me, and clampd his hand over my mouth. “Shhhhh! Mr. Big Ears was very special.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I just happened to be in teh neighborhood, walking my dog...” This was sounding lame. “...several miles from my home, in the middle of the night, in the snow. And I found myself in your backyard.”

His eyes flew wide open. “With the cats?”

“If that’s what you call them.”

Coffeehouse Angel, Suzanne Selfors, Walker & Company, 276 Pages

(Oct 7) Ahhhh, Coffeehouse Angel was a joy to read. It was nice, as I am part Norwegian, to have a book that went into some of the cultural stuff, like sardine sandwiches and the coffee with an egg in it. :P

I actually picked up Coffeehouse angel in the hopes of taking the edge off of another book I’m reading that, although a very good story, I needed to put down because I just needed a break from the emotions it stirred up.

Coffeehouse Angel did that for me.

I enjoyed this book a lot, and thought Suzanne did a great job with all the little details of making a relationship between Katrina and Malcolm plausible, possible, believable.

I mean when I think of relationships with angels I think of Nephilim and “danger Will Robinson, danger” but it was a nice twist.

I also liked the little details, the glowing words, the Highland smell, the wings on ankles.

Suzanned did a great job with building the characters, each and every one. I felt a connection with most of them aside from Heidi and only because she didn’t have much dialogue with substance.

The Boys were awesome, I despised Mr. Darling, and even mute Irmgaard felt real to me.

If you are looking for a great, easy read, full of good feelings and Hero Hot Chocolate pick up this book.

Now for my favourite part...

“I contained your desire in this coffee bean. Clever of me, don’t you think?”

I raised my eyebrows, feigning amazement.

“I suspect you’re trying to trick me, just like you did with the pencil.” His expression remained serious.

Okay this one is a bit long...but I love it...

“Hold on now.” Lars stopped walking. He turned and peered up at Malcolm, his eyes half-hidden by his knit hat. “You want to give Katrina what she most desires?”

Malcolm nodded. “I’ve tried, but she won’t tell me what it is.”

Lars shook his head. “She’ll never tell you. No woman ever tells. And no man’s ever been able to figure it out. You’ll be guessing for the rest of your life and you’ll always guess wrong. Women like it that way because it gives them something to complain about.”

As You Wish, Jackson Pearce, Harper Teen, 298 Pages

(Oct 5) This was a great read since I was looking for something a little lighter. I don’t want to say predictable because it wasn’t that, it was just that I didn’t have to think hard (which I needed at the moment), or get really emotional with it.

I think the author did a great job in describing the difference between our world and Caliban, which is the place the a jinn is from. It made it interesting to find out how things don’t really change there, there are no stars, no one has a name, and you don’t really fall in love.

I really liked “Jinn”, as he eventually becomes known, I liked seeing his personality, and see him struggle with things he is not accustomed to. Even though Viola is the main character and you definitly see her grow throughout the book, you also get to see growth from Jinn as well.

There wasn’t really anything that I can pinpoint that I didn’t like in this book. I loved the “art” talk throughout it, and even Aaron and Ollie aren’t unlikeable characters. Although with Aaron, every time he called Viola baby I wanted to punch him, hurl, and I got a creepy feeling.

I enjoyed the alternating chapters in the two main characters voices. I don’t know if this is becoming a trend or not but I believe this is the third or fourth book in the last two months that I’ve read that has done this.

And something subtle that I enjoyed was the fact that after chapter 3, the chapters stop saying “a jinn” and just say “Jinn”, it’s like even in the small details he’s recognizing himself with a name.

I definitly think this is a worthy read, an interesting take on fantasy. I liked seeing a genie story amongst all of the wolf/vampire/faery stories. Not (obviously) that I’m complaining about all those stories. I love them all. It was just a nice reprieve. I will be reading more from this author.

and now...my favourite part

People assume Invisible Girls are the types who get straight A’s and are on the debate team or something. But we aren’t. We want to be kissed and half undressed, before falling asleep next to someone we love, just like everyone else.

“No, Viola, please. It was a mistake. I was scared because...” He looks down. “Because I’m beginning to feel like I’m broken without you.”

“To be honest,” Jinn says as I step into the bathroom and let the shower water heat up, “I forgot to leave. I was just watching stars and then...it was morning.”

“The exciting life of a magical creature,” I tease. Jinn rolls his eyes.