Take a Chance on Me, Jill Mansell

I adore Jill Mansell! I have a stock pile of all her US releases, with their gorgeous sparkly covers, waiting to be used as bibliotherapy for my own personal low points (I'm mad at youtube for not having a clip of Kate Winslet yanking her head out of the oven and out the window of her cute English cottage in The Holiday so you can just imagine her slapping herself & yelling LOW POINT!). The last 6 weeks of my mysterious illnesses have definitely been a long, extended low point for me so it seemed appropriate to ration myself one of her books.

All of her stories that I've read so far are clever, engaging, hilarious, & completely suck you in (in a good way). Take a Chance on Me is no exception. I loved Cleo & Johnny, Fia & Ash. Even bratty Georgia had grown on me by the end.

What I liked best about Take a Chance on Me (and really of her books)  is the way I feel while reading. I am always completely cheered up as cheesy as that sounds.

My only worry is reaching the end of my collection. Source Books needs to publish more of Jill Mansell's books and quickly!

Italian for Beginners, Kristin Harmel

After reading Anna & the French Kiss I've moved my romantic chick lit tour of Europe to Italy. Not intentionally, but it fit my January blah attitude to read another cheering book.

This one was cute but not as overwhelmingly lovable as Anna. I thought all of the Roman Holiday references were really fun. Having recently watched Only You, which is also full of Roman Holiday references, it has me planning to rewatch this soon.

I liked the main character, Cat, a lot but I had a few quibbles with the story. Spoilers ahead (though I don't think you'll be reading this one, Nora)

I was seriously shocked when Cat slept with Marco because up until that point I was convinced he was gay! I just didn't see them as having romantic chemistry at all. I also would have appreciated more happy times with Michael (at least I think that is his name- how awful is it that I can't remember Cat's prince charming's name!). All they had was the meet cute followed by the misunderstanding that could have been cleared up in 5 minutes of talking and then a long strech of Cat in Rome finding herself and then Michael returns at the end for the happily ever after. I liked him and their relationship but there wasn't that much there.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book though. Light and happy and another great January book.

Anna and the French Kiss, Stephanie Perkins

It would have taken a lot for me to dislike this book since it features my favorite only been there in my mind city and promised lots of cute boys. In fact if that was all it had to offer I would still be recommending it as a fluffy January is depressing so here is a happy pick me up of a book kind of way.

The good news is that Anna and the French Kiss is so much more than just fluff. I love the premise- who wouldn't want to be shipped off to boarding school in Paris (well, actually Anna for one but that might be her one flaw). I love Anna- she's believable and real but not perfect. The story line with her BFF left behind in Georgia made me cringe in a good way and was resolved so well.

I loved all the details of Anna's interest in film and her critic plans. In fact all the talk of films en version originales was giving me flashbacks to french class and those little conversations they make you recite.

And I also love Etienne even if at first I felt his name was reminding me too much of Estee Lauder, taking me out of my cute boy visualizations. But I got over it and I love, love, loved Etienne & Anna. And Paris. I want to go to there.

Forever Young Adult review
Angieville Review

Happy 2011!

At some point I am going to come replace this post with my 2010 reading list, statistics, & favorites as well as some reading goals for 2011. In the mean time enjoy this sparkly photo: