Archive for October 21st, 2010

Chick Lit Classics is a regular feature on Chick Lit Reviews where we highlight the books we feel are classics of the chick lit genre. Feel free to discuss our choices in the comments section!

This week I’ve chosen Matt Dunn’s fantastic second novel The Ex-Boyfriend’s Handbook for our Chick Lit Classic. This was the first Matt Dunn book that I have read and I absolutely loved it. It made me laugh, and I loved the fact it was told from a male perspective, something that’s all too rare in Chick Lit. Edward is one of my favourite male characters and along with best friend Dan they make quite a pair! There’s also a sequel out called Ex-Girlfriends United and a third book, The Accidental Proposal, is out in 2011!

“It’s not me - it’s you. You’ve let yourself go, so I’m letting you go too.” When Edward Middleton hears those words from Jane, his girlfriend of the past ten years, he knows he’s in serious trouble. Determined to get her back, Edward must learn how to make women fancy him again. But what makes for a good boyfriend nowadays? Right now, he’s the kind of man who puts the ‘ex’ into ‘sexy’. One thing is certain: if he’s to be Jane’s Mr Right, he needs to turn himself into a bit of all right. From Atkins and Botox, Edward begins working his way through the makeover alphabet. But can cuddly Teddy really become sexy Eddie? Can he rise from the ranks of discarded exes? Or has his journey of self-discovery taken him in a different direction entirely?

Fans of Cecelia Ahern, pay attention! Cecelia has a short story collection out now (it was released on October 14th) but it’s only available as an e-book or audio book. The “book” contains 9 short stories, all of which have been published in magazines or newspapers, but they have now been brought together for the first time. The e-book is only compatible with iPod touch, iPhone or iPad but if you have one of these devices, it sounds like a great short story collection to get hold of! You can purchase it from the Harper Collins site or iTunes.

“As the smell of pinecones and cinnamon fill the air and the plump turkey roasts in the oven, the final preparations for Christmas day have begun just as they do every year.

The tree lights are twinkling and the mince pies are cooked and there is just one final tradition to carry out before the Christmas magic can begin. This year though, something is different and it’s time for life-long traditions to change.

For years the family has followed the same pattern, not changing their routine through the generations; babies have grown into teens and then adults, and then eventually have had children of their own, but one thing always remained constant throughout…

Time has finally caught up with the family and this year the new traditions must be formed.”