Review: ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS by Stephanie Perkins

ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS
by Stephanie Perkins
Hardcover, 372 pages
Published December 2nd 2010 by Dutton
Placement in the Pile: Top Picks

Summary:
Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Claire: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near-misses end with the French kiss Anna—and readers—have long awaited?

Review:
I LOVE this book. I had heard so many awesome reviews for it, I knew it had to be good. But there's always some trepidation going into a book with that much good buzz. I've been disappointed in the past, because my expectations got too high. Not this time. I was immediately sucked in to Anna's world, I adored Etienne St. Clair (even though she kept making such a big deal out of how short he was, and being a tall girl, that doesn't really help me think a guy is attractive. So I pretended he was taller, and we were all good). ;) Stephanie did an amazing job making you feel like you are there in Paris (and also, making you WANT to go to Paris, oh man the food sounded heavenly). The characters are layered, complex, and all have their own troubles and triumphs. This is a book with depth, it isn't just a light chick-lit read--though it has those fun, exciting, light-hearted elements too, at times. Anna is definitely a fast read (mostly because I couldn't put it down), but you will want to savor this one. Also? Wow, does Stephanie know how to build romantic tension. Yes, indeed.

Just be warned for all of our readers that like to know, this is an upper YA book. There is some pretty intense language at times, and mature content. In this case it didn't bother me, but we always like to let our readers know what to expect.

This is one that I'm glad I bought! (I nabbed the last one at my local bookstore, but hopefully they'll keep getting more in.)

Me the Slacker, and a Friend Who is Not

So...me. I'm the slacker. Sorry! We have all been a bit sick over here to start the new year, and still trying to get life in order, so very little reading has been going on. I know Guinevere has been doing some, so maybe she can review some stuff for us soon...

In the meantime, I wanted to post about a friend of mine whose book is coming out soon! It is more self-help/non-fiction than my usual reading, but I know Julie is going to be great at this, so here's the info!


Don't Throw Rocks at His Window: Real Advice to Mend a Broken Heart
by Julie Donaldson
To Be Published February 2011 by Deseret Book

Summary: Don't do it. I know you want to. I know you want to pick up that jagged rock and just chuck it through his window. After all, he broke your heart. Worse, he threw it to the ground, danced on it, and then kicked it aside. But you don’t have to resort to criminal activity. There are better ways to get over your broken heart.

Using humor, common sense, and honest, heart-to-heart advice, author Julie C. Donaldson lays out four simple rules that will help you mend your broken heart (including Rule #1: Don’t be pathetic).

Don’t Throw Rocks at His Window is filled with practical remedies and fun, interactive ideas that will help you strengthen your heart, keep your perspective on what matters most, and find comfort.

It is possible to survive a broken heart. What’s more, it’s possible to love again with a heart that is strong and sure and whole. So drop the rock, toss the tissue, and take the journey from hurt to healing.

Happy New Year!

Well I hope you are enjoying your new year! It is a time for goal setting so here are some of mine.

I want to be a better blogger, but I also want to keep my life in balance.

I want to have more awesome giveaways and get you all as excited about books as I am.

And I want all of my readers to be able to take something good away from my blog and our reviews!

Happy New Year everyone! Back to life, and back to reading!

Merry Christmas!

Hi all, I have been MIA because I am on vacation! I hope you are all having a wonderful break from the hum drum of life and are enjoying Christmas with your loved ones!

For those of you who don't celebrate, I hope you have a fabulous holiday break anyway!

Guest Post:: How to Perform a Soul's Curtsy, by Heather Dixon

HOW TO PERFORM A SOUL'S CURTSY

While I was writing "Entwined," I spent a lot of time studying Victorian dances and etiquette. I remember reading one funny piece: When a well-born girl came of age, she had to present herself to Queen Victoria, do a flawless curtsy, and then back out of the room gracefully. The only problem with this was their of-age dresses had long, long trains, and it was impossible to back out without tripping over them. Girls lost sleep just thinking about it.

Reading that inspired the "Soul's Curtsy," a curtsy so deep and graceful it must be practiced several years to be perfected. Azalea, the main character in Entwined, teaches her sisters how it is done. And, as Aubrey was kind enough to let me guest post, the visitors to My Pile of Books can learn how to do it, too.

How to perform a Soul's Curtsy (with pictures):


First: Touch your right toe out in front of you, then trace it in a wide semi-circle behind yourself.

Bend your left knee so you are lowering yourself as the right leg moves.

As you are lowering yourself, tuck your left arm behind your back, and raise your right arm out in front of you.

When your right leg reaches 8 o'clock, you should be low enough to shift your weight to it and bring your left foot out in front of you. This is the trickiest part of the curtsy--you are basically folding yourself up, and it must be done gracefully.

Meanwhile, your right arm is offered up to the gentleman, your face is nearly kissing your knee, and your right leg is folded underneath you like a pretzel.

You look absolutely gorgeous!

Here's a side view of it:


Now you can try it at home! If you dare. As far as I know they don't make curtsy-shaped coffins, so proceed with care. Especially as a Soul's Curtsy, when done as gracefully as Azalea, can render a gentleman completely speechless.


**Thank you SO much Heather! I absolutely adore your illustrations and your book! I hope all of our readers are as excited for this one as I am!

Review: ENTWINED by Heather Dixon

ENTWINED
by Heather Dixon
Hardcover, 336 pages
Expected publication: March 29th 2011 by Greenwillow Books
Source: ARC from Publisher

Placement in the Pile: Top Picks!

Summary:
Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her . . . beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing . . . it's taken away. All of it.

The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation.

Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest.

But there is a cost.

The Keeper likes to keep things.

Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.

Review:
First of all isn't this cover AMAZING! I have total dress envy. Okay, on to the real review...

I adore this book as much as I adore it's author! Entwined is a beautiful fairy tale retelling that will grasp at your heart and send shivers down your spine. Heather Dixon has created her own take on the Twelve Dancing Princesses tale that makes you re-think the story behind the dancing.

The best thing that pulled me into the story were the characters. All twelve sisters have such unique personalities they really felt real to me, and I loved them all. Bramble is perhaps the most hilarious character. Azalea is the perfect oldest sister, all the way down to little baby Lily. I just loved these girls and wanted them to succeed in all of their endeavors.

Now since I personally have met both authors, I have to say my opinion might be a bit skewed, BUT...do not just read one retelling of this amazing fairy tale (which also happends to be a favorite of mine since I was little, adding to my love of both books.) But if you HAVE read PRINCESS OF THE MIDNIGHT BALL by Jessica Day George, don't skip reading ENTWINED and vice versa. Each author brings their own magic, their own insight into this beautiful fairy tale, and I can honestly say- knowing them or not - that I loved each one in their own right.

The only thing about this book that I feel you should know is that the beginning can feel a bit slow. It is certainly still good reading, and very enjoyable, but my word of advice is take the time to get into the story for this one. Because once I did I could NOT put it down. The pacing of slower to faster action was perfect, and I am glad that everything that was in the book was there, because it made for a richer reading experience in the end.

So I know this book is still a long time coming, but I wanted to post about it as soon as I finished reading it. I want you all to know about this amazing book. Stay tuned on Wed. I have a guest post by Heather Dixon that is sure to be amazing, as she is also an illustrator and has included illustrations in her post! Yay! And don't worry, I will definitely be reminding you of this one closer to the release date!

ENTICE Giveaway Winner!

Thanks for all who entered! The random number generator has spoken, and the winner of ENTICE by Carrie Jones is....

Carrie Jenson!!!!!

Fitting since you share a name with the author! Congrats. I will send your info along to the publisher and they should send the book and bookmark out shortly!

Happy Birthday!

Today is the day of birth of the ever amazing Jane Austen. I think all book lovers everywhere can appreciate her impact on the world of books. But most specifically she gave us....



So Happy Birthday Ms. Austen! 235 years ago the world was blessed with a bit of genius!