Put A Ribbon On It #37



Put A Ribbon On is a Feature of mine in which I share the books I have received each week, which is inspired by.. 
The Story Siren's IMM, and is held every Saturday/Sunday





Note: Since it was Eid yesterday, I didn't get the time to post my PAROI, so I guess it's going to be a day late :P These  books are from the last two weeks. 


 Books received for review:


Books Bought: Finally got around to do some book buying, yayy! Wanted these for a long time ;)

 Sneak peak into A monster calls and Marilyn' book.
"Then the monster did something it hadn't done until now. It sat down."



I hope everyone had a great weekend;) I just finished watching GONE BABY GONE. Watched Shutter Island last week too. Both are awesome movies. I've read A Monster Calls, Anna Dressed In Blood and Lessons from a dead girl, so I'll be focusing on posting the reviews as soon as I can. A MONSTER CALLS has to be one of my favourites from 2011. Watch out for that one. It's a tear- jerker.

BR - French Lessons By Ellen Sussman

 HEY! I'm so behind on reviews! I have quite a few in line to post, though. So hopefully I'll be working towards getting them down asap. I missed you guys ;)

Rating: 3.5

  • Paperback: 256 pages Publisher: Corsair; First Edition First Printing edition (3 Nov 2011) Age Range: Adult  Genre: Contemporary/Chick Lit  Source: Publisher


My Thoughts -As you can see, the UK paperback is just stunning.

Also, I love how there are sections to the book dedicated to a particular student and tutor alongside a picture that represents their journey. The book also includes a map which allows you to keep up with them. A Very nice touch.

I have missed my adult reads. Although, I didn't realise how much until now.

This book made me laugh a whole lot. I actually giggled!

FRENCH LESSONS tells the story of three Americans who come have just come to Paris and are still finding their way around. The story follows them as they spend time with their French tutors.

I have to admit. I'm quite smitten with this book.

There's a lot of sex, and a whole lot of talk about sex *which took a little getting used to at first* but once you really relax and settle into the book, you realise just how enjoyable it really is. It's a great form of escapism. These individuals, in this big beautiful city. Free, sophisticated people that indulge daily in sex, delicious food and freedom. But there is more to these people than just sex. Apart from the fact that they are obviously flawed, they also seem to all be battling with their own demons. And it's not until the tutors meet their students, that each individual is able to walk away a changed person and better for it.

I did find it hard to get my head around this concept of people sharing their partners with others. With the casual cheating. I didn't understand why it wasn't a big deal to them. Why anyone would want to be with someone who was already in a relationship. But I do know that this goes on, so it would be naive of me to simply take it as merely fiction and put it at the back of my head. But it was something that I struggled with understanding. Maybe I just need a few more years :)

I think each reader will see the book as something different. A guilty pleasure, sex - crazed, flawed people, or a book with a bit of everything. But what I can guarantee you is that FRENCH LESSONS is past faced and a delicious read that had me in a fit of giggles, and one that I quickly lost myself in. 

There was one moment in the book which I really loved. When Nico and Josie go see the gallery of Marilyn Monroe photos named "the last sitting." I knew every photo they described and it was sort of wonderful because I felt like I was experiencing it right alongside them. And hearing their thoughts on particular photos put a lot of wondering questions into perspective for me.

"I wonder," Josie says, staring into Marilyn's dreamy eyes, "what it has to do with . Why men cheat. Why they fall into bed with pretty girls."


"She is tragic, no?" The French tutor asks. Josie looks up. Marilyn Monroe stares back at her, her mouth slightly open, her eyes half closed. She looks drunk on sex, on booze, on death. She looks luscious and ripe and ready to die. Josie's eyes fill up. She steps back, away from the seductive stare. 

"She killed herself three days after this photo shoot," Nico says reading from the brochure. "You can see that she was ready ," Josie says. "To die? "To give herself up to death. It looks like she was already dying."

Those lines bothered me a little. It made me sad, because when I look at those photos, even now, that's not what I see. Or maybe it's not what I want to see.

There is one particular thing that I took away from this book.
The urge to visit Paris. In particular, the Eiffel Tower. To climb up those steps, reach the top and experience something truly indescribable. To visit the gallery and see those Marilyn Monroe pictures up close. I would like to do that one day, a lot. *sighs* 

Put A Ribbon On It #36




Put A Ribbon On is a Feature of mine in which I share the books I have received each week, which is inspired by.. 
The Story Siren's IMM, and is held every Saturday/Sunday





The 13th Horseman By Barry Hutchinson
The Isle of Blood By Rick Yancey
Glow By Amy Kathleen Ryan
You Are My Only By Beth Kephart (gifted from Cari) ;)
Angel Fire By L.A. Weatherly