Wednesday 21 November 2012

WWW Wednesday


This is a meme hosted by MizB- I thought I'd play along.

To play along, just answer the following three questions…
• What are you currently reading? The Girl Who Played With Fire by Steig Larsson - This is the sequel to  The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo which I really enjoyed. Not so keen on the sequel, but still interesting.
• What did you recently finish reading? Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally. I was disappointed with this book. :(
• What do you think you’ll read next? Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins. I loved Anna and the French Kiss so I immediately ordered Stephanie Perkins' second book.

Join in and tell me your WWW for this week either on your blog or in the comments.

Monday 19 November 2012

REVIEW: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Sorry it's been awhile. I've been revising for exams and I have longs days at work, so time has been a little sparse lately.  I was also in a reading slump and this book brought me out of it. I read this book then Catching Jordan in the same day! I'm on target still with goodreads, having read 44/50. Need to get reviewing! 

What's it about?
"Anna is happy in Atlanta. She has a loyal best friend and a crush on her co worker at the movie theatre, who is just starting to return her affection. So she's not too pleased when her father decides to send her to a boarding school in Paris for her senior year. Despite not speaking a word of French, Anna meets some cool new friends, including the handsome Étienne St. Clair, who quickly becomes her best friend. Unfortunately he's taken- and Anna might be too. Will a year of romantic near misses end with the French kiss she's been waiting for?"  Blurb from the book cover.

What did I think of it?
I loved this book. I'd heard a lot of bloggers express their love for this book, but I never bothered to read it. Then I was in the mood for a good chick lit romance book and so I made a quick online order! I started reading this the moment it dropped through my door and didn't stop until I'd finished it. It was wonderful! I was completely swept into the story and the setting. I've never been to Paris, and never had a big urge to visit, but this book made me want to! I also love a boarding school book. I liked how the characters are always in the same place, I think it's an interesting concept, as there really is no escape from school. So boarding school, combined with Paris was a hit with me.

The main delight of this book is its characters. I found I could really relate to Anna and I dare you not to fall in love with St. Clair!! Anna's narration is a joy, and she made me laugh and dream along side her.  I really liked the supporting cast of characters though I wish some of them had a little more air time, so I could know them a little better. Especially Meredith- I felt that although she's the one who introduces Anna to her group of friends, you actually learn very little about her. Some more Josh would have been good too.  

The romance in this book is divine. The relationship between Anna and St Clair has so many twists and turns, but I loved how they interacted.  Their relationship is wonderful to watch develop through many iterations. There are a few moments of "Arghhh when will this happen already! St Clair you're an idiot!" type thoughts, but that's to be expected in a plot of this type. St Clair shows Paris to Anna, and makes her feel at home, whilst Anna helps St Clair when his world begins to crumble. 

One little thing that I really liked about this book was Anna's love for film. I love films, and I just really liked reading about her interest in it, and her desire to be a film critic.

So to sum up this slightly waffle-ly ramble, this book is a must read for a romance loving YA enthusiast. It's cute as well as serious, and it will warm you heart. 

Rating



Goodreads Reading Challenge
This book is number 14 out of 50