Review: Ex-Mas by Kate Brian

Title: Ex-Mas
Author: Kate Brian
Release Date: October 6th, 2009
Publisher: Simon & Schuster BFYR
Page Count: 224

Source: Borrowed from the New York Public Library
Rating: A snow-tastic book full of road trips and runaways.

Seventeen-year-old Lila Beckwith's parents just left for vacation, and Lila's all set to throw the holiday party of the season. But when her Christmas-obsessed little brother, Cooper, discovers that global warming is melting the North Pole, he and his best friend, Tyler, take off on a runaway mission to save Santa.

Lila has to get Cooper safely home before her parents get back on Christmas Eve. But the only person who can help her is Tyler's older brother, Beau — a.k.a. Lila's musician, anti-everything ex-boyfriend.

It'll take more than a Christmas miracle for Lila and Beau to overcome their differences and find their fugitive brothers. But could a journey destined for disaster help these polar opposites fall in love...all over again?

[Summary Source: Goodreads]

Top Ten Favorite Siblings (24)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

I thought about this A LOT and realized there are tons of siblings in a lot of the books I read. Some are related to the protagonist, others are a pair/group of siblings in a story. Either way, these relationships play seriously awesome roles in my books so here's a list of my favorites.

1. Thom & Alanna of Trebond from Tamora Pierce's The Song of the Lioness Series

This entire series would not have taken place if not for Thom. Like, Alanna would have NEVER gone to the palace to become a knight if he hadn't agreed to swap places with her. So, thanks Thom, because without you I would have no lady knight role model.

2. The Weasley Brood from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter

Okay, we ALL know I have a lot of problems with the way this series ended, but I will say the bonds between this set of children is wonderful. Even when they fight they still love each other and I can't get enough of that. Obviously my favorite of the lot are Fred and George, so you can all understand why I'm crying right now.

3. The Garrett Kids from My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Even Sam know how great this family is. I love how they all take care of each other. It's just so sweet. I would definitely want to be apart of that myself.

4. Narnie and Webb from Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

We don't see a lot of these two together in the books but you could just TELL how much they loved each other from the way Narnie takes care of her brother's daughter. Not to mention Hannah totally makes it clear how much she loved her brother, so yeah. Definitely a pair of siblings worthy of this list.

5. Katniss and Prim from Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games Series

I feel the need to cry big time when I think of this sibling relationship. 

Katniss.

Me.

6. Mia and Teddy Hall from If I Stay/Where She Went by Gayle Forman

OKAY I KNOW we really don't see much of Teddy at all, but the way Mia reacts to what happens to him is so gut wrenching. She loved him SO MUCH and I just can't. 

7. Rhine and Rowan from Lauren DeStefano's The Chemical Garden Trilogy

One of the major plots for this series is Rhine's drive to get back to her brother, Rowan. She misses him so much she'd basically move heaven and earth to get back to him. And yo, their reunion (because, please, that was gonna happen) is amazingly emotional.

8. Adam and James from Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me Series

How much did you all freak out when you found out about James? I know I did. I love their brotherly bond. And I love James in general. Every time I talk about this series I tell everyone that if anything bad happens to James I will never forgive Tahereh Mafi. So. Y'know. What yo' self Tahereh Mafi.

9. Noah, Jacob and Tyler from Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

THE THINGS NOAH WILL DO FOR HIS BROTHERS. Ugh. That whole situation totally broke my heart. I love the three of those boys so much and I want ONLY GOOD THINGS for them. 

10. The McGowan Boys from Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys by Kate Brian

It appears as though I really like broods of boys (see: Weasley Boys at the top of this list). This book's an oldie that I enjoy re-reading whenever I need a bit of fun and these boys, despite all their absurdities and arguments, never fail to bring the fun. Oh, and they really care about each other, which is NICE.

**BONUS**

11. Perry and Talon from Veronica Rossi's Under the Never Sky Series

Okay, technically Talon is Perry's nephew but I'm sorry. They relationship is amazing - way better than Perry's relationship with his brother, Vale - and I couldn't help but throw it in here. 

Can you guys think of any other sibling relationships you adore? Let me know in the comments below!

Top Ten Books When You Need Something Light & Fun (22)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

I had a lot of trouble with this because most of the books I tend to read deal with issues. Even the books I have chosen are still not as light and fluffy as I feel like this topic might demand? So I've picked 5 books I've read that are (kinda?) light and fluffy and then 5 books I WANT to read that seem light and fluffy to me. You guys can tell me if I'm right, I guess.

TOP FIVE LIGHT & FLUFFY BOOKS I'VE ALREADY READ

1. Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys by Kate Brian

I really, really love this book. It's so cute! Maybe not as light and fluffy as it could be, but I absolutely adore it. I've read it 4-5 times and it makes me all happy inside every time.

2. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

Okay, also not as light and fluffy as it could be, but the series is a GREAT binge read. Also, I love the friendship stories. Yeah, there are boys, but it's really about the girls. I mean, that's not so relevant ont he light and fluffy front, but still. 

3. The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

These books were always quick reads for me. It's been a long time since I read this one, and I definitely liked the movie better (the Grandma is super scary in the book and JULIE ANDREWS in the movies so, y'know). But yeah. Fluffy, light, fun.

4. Audrey, Wait by Robin Benway

I haven't read this book in a very long time but I remember it being a super fun romp. I want to re-read it soon since a lot of bloggers I follow have been raving about it recently.

5. Ex-Mas by Kate Brian

Another Kate Brian book. I can't even help myself. I haven't read a ton of Christmas books, but I'm pretty sure - based on the ones I HAVE read - that I love them. A lot.

TOP FIVE LIGHT & FLUFFY BOOKS I WANT TO READ

6. Decked with Holly by Marni Bates

Since I love Christmas books, and because this one sounds SO CUTE, I'm gonna have to put this on my light and fluffy wish list. 

7. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Is this one a fluffy, light book? I feel like that's the impression I have of it. Either way, I want to read it so I'm putting it on this list. 

8. Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

It looks so cuuuuute. I want it to be light and fluffy and cute and yeah. Especially since that cover is adorable. But I guess I'd be okay with it being a bit heavier?

9. The Boyfriend App by Katie Sise

The cover of this book is SO CUTE. I'm a little nervous about the way this book's going to turn out, but I'm DEFINITELY going to read it very soon!

10. Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

The cover just SCREAMS light and fluffy. I also really love the colors. And the graphics. And the everything. Yes to the everything. So I'll take it, please. 

Do you think the first five fit the bill or are they too dramatic? And how about the second five on my TBR list? Are they light and fluffy or have I been mislead? Let me know in the comments below!

Top Ten Books That Make Me Happy (3)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This week's Top Ten Tuesday is a Freebie, so I've chosen to list the ten books I've read over the years that make me HAPPY. These are the books I read when I'm blue, the ones with the swooniest boys and the loveliest plots. They are the books that sit on my shelf with batter bindings, knowing they'll get re-read soon enough. I love these books with all my heart, whether I read them for the first time ten years or ten days ago. They're my pick-me-up books and I hope to never have a collection of books without them in it.

1-4. The Song of the Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce
These books. GOD. THESE BOOKS. They know what's up. I've read all of them so many times it's kind of insane. Alanna is pretty much my personal hero, no matter what stupid things she does along the way. Furthermore, I'm not sure when, but at a certain point the covers were changed. I think I mourned for like a week when I found out. I love the old covers. I'm terrified of the books I have now falling apart (which they inevitably will as they have before). I mean, what if they don't make the old covers anymore and I can't find them on eBay!?! It won't be a pretty sight, I can promise you that.

5. Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys by Kate Brian
I don't know what it is about this book, but I absolutely adore it. I constantly recommend it. It's actually not in my possession right this second since I lent my copy to a friend. Megan's just so tough and those boys are just so... I don't even know. Just so. Everyone in this book is just so and it makes me so incredibly happy every time I read it.

6. Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen
Keeping the Moon is, in my humble opinion, possibly the most underrated Dessen book out there. I love it so very much. It makes me sad and happy all at the same time. And of course there are the patented Dessen *squee* moments. How does Sarah Dessen do it? HOW?

7. This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
This is the very first Dessen book I ever read. My friend Danna handed it to me and said "READ THIS." I did and it was the happiest day ever. That year for Chanuka we even bought each other the same present and "swapped" - a tote bag that says "Hate Spinnerbait" on it. Most people have no idea what it means but every so often someone knows. Once, a girl - a complete stranger - stopped me and asked me if that's what it was referring to. I just about died.

8. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
And so continues to the Sarah Dessen lovefest. But can you really blame me? Picking a favorite Dessen book would be like picking a favorite child, but this one's really up there. I love the music, I love the plot, and I love just about everything else. Not to mention, I'm pretty sure Owen's my favorite Dessen guy. I mean, OBVIOUSLY I love Dexter and Norman and every other Dessen guy who's not Roger, but OWEN. Just. UGH. Owen. Love him.

9. Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe by Shelley Coriell
This is the most recent book published on my list by far. Like, by many years. Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe actually only came out this past April. But I read it over the summer and I was a giant ball of glee over it. Honestly, from the cover to the very last word, I loved it all. Especially Chloe and Duncan. And Grams. And all of their relationships. So it really does belong on this list, no matter how recent the publication is.

10. Old Magic by Marianne Curley
UGH. UGH. UGH. You guys. This book. This book is proof that I don't list things in any particular order when I compose said lists. Old Magic is one of my all-time favorites. For the longest time, no matter where I went, I would bring it with me just in case I needed a little joy in my life. It's contemporary and magical and just wonderful. Y'know what? I haven't read this one in a while and I think I just convinced myself to re-read ASAP.

 **BONUS: The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot**
I couldn't put this one the list without cheating big time so instead I'm adding it on as a bonus. When I first heard about these I wasn't into it. I really wasn't interested in paranormal or a girl obsessing over a ghost. But the same friend who got me into Dessen (Danna, you get TWO mentions this post) also lent me this series and so I read. And I was not disappointed.

So this is my list. What's on yours? Sound off in the comments below! 

Nota Bene: In linking the titles of these books to where you can buy them, I found that many of these books have new covers. It makes me feel old and a little sad, since I love the old covers so much. But it also makes me so excited because these books are all still around and important enough to warrant new covers. So hurray, favorite happy books! May you all live on forever and ever.