When It Happens, Susane Colasanti, Speak, 310 pages

Susane Colasanti has this amazing talent, of taking you right back to high school. Granted it’s been some years for me but I completely related to Sara’s character. She wants something real. And I have this distinct memory from Senior year of knowing how fake everything around me was.

And wanting out.

I loved the scenes between Tobey and Sara, they were sweet and fun, and I wanted more.

Susane added so many real elements to the story and the characters lives outside of high school. And one thing that bugs me about a lot of stories is that once the girl gets the guy or vice versa, that’s it, you don’t usually get more story on them.

This book there’s quite a bit about them afterwards. It was a very nice change.

It’s a great story, you should buy it.

It takes all my strength to push open the door. I go around to Tobey’s side and stand there. The world spins around me. For the first time I can remember, I’m not freezing outside in November. It actually feels warm.

I stare at Tobey. He looks back at me with such an intensity I expect the glass to shatter.

I press my hand against his window. He presses his hand on the other side of mine.

For a while, we stay like that. With our hands pressed together, seperated by glass.

"Tobey puts the CD on. Then he comes over and hugs me. I lean my head on his chest.

'I want to know everything about you,' he whispers."

"I'm sorry.'

'Congratulations.'

'Can you tell me why you're so upset?'

The thing is, Tobey should get this. I mean, he's gotten everything else about me. And I don't want to explain it all. So much of it has to do with jealousy, and I know it's stupid to be mad at him because he had a life before me. But I am anyway. "

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.