As Venice goes, this one is a classic: http://www.amazon.com/The-World-Venice-Revised-Edition/dp/0156983567/ref=cm_lmf_tit_19

But it was originally written decades ago, and has been updated, which means that the original sights and atmosphere are more than a bit out of date - - but are still great. In fact, the out-of-date bits are most of the juciest, and fact is, you can still find these things in Venice, if you troll the outer periphery. As Venice reads go (beyond researching the picturesque art of 18th-Century Canaletto and its sensational/touristic aspects) this might be the best you'll get.

"Venice" by James Morris is a faovourite. "Venice" by Jan Morris is the updated version, written after Morris had gender re-assignment. Not a travel book, and has all sorts of minor details.

Or click on my user name, and you'll find a couple of really long (20,000 words) trip reports that I wrote about Venice. Some is fiction, some just ramblings from inside my head, but with a bit of factual stuff thrown in.

Hi!

Watch the "Sound of Music" and enjoy the scenery, it is a classic movie and captures the beauty of the region. I loved Peter Mayle's books on Provence, which captures much of the essence of western Italy/Amalfi, despite it is set in Provence, not Italy. The movie, starring Russell Crowe, based on Peter Mayle's books is excellent. Also, Frances Mayes' books on her home in Cortona, Italy are spectacular; don't watch the movie because it is completely different. Also, check out Stephen Ambrose's books on World War II - Citizens Soldiers; beautiful story on a the daily life of soldiers fighting in the European theater during the war. It is very "readable" history. Also, "Sarah's Key" is a fantastic book about WWII Paris - movie and book are both riveting and haunting. Check in your favorite book store with historical fiction titles; they are often fantastic stories filled with historically accurate facts.

Enjoy!
Julia

Peter's reports are absolutely fabulous! Do NOT pass them up, anyone!

If you haven't read 'le Petit Prince', I would definitely suggest this in terms of French culture. Short, creative, abstract, philosophical...a lot to think about, in the guise of a well-written 'children's book' every French person knows.

The Glassblower of Murano by Marina Fiorato is a recent novel set in Venice. It is a fun read.

I enjoyed "The City of Falling Angels", which centres around the burning of La Fenice opera house in Venice. It's by the guy who wrote "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil", if you've come across that.

"Is Paris Burning" is about the last couple weeks of the German occupation of Paris and the liberation, you will most likely see many of the places mentioned in the book while you are in the city.

Thanks everyone, for all the interesting suggestions! I'll have some fun reading and movie watching to do now

Peter, thanks very much for sharing your writings, I will definitely give them a read!

Juliae_mei: The Sound of Music is an old favorite of mine and I have read and enjoyed Peter Mayle's books! I didn't know there was a film based on them though, I'll have to look it up!

Ahiddenbird, there are many threads on this forum with suggestions for books about Paris and other parts of France.

I would suggest watching the old film SUMMERTIME set in Venice in the 50s – fabulous scenery with Katherine Hepburn. Directed by David Lean of LAWRENCE OF ARABIA and RYAN’S DAUGHTER FAME.

Regarding France, Marie Antoinette by Antonia Fraser is excellent and discusses her Austrian family and roots, plus how she is quite unfairly treated by history.

I have read so many great books about Paris....look for John Baxter's books. The Most Beautiful Walk inthe World ; also Immovable Feast: A Paris Christmas. Both are great.

Wine and War:The French,The Nazis and the battle for France's Greatest treasure is also a great read...it's a wonder the French wine business survived WWII!

For humor, The Sweet Life in Paris by David Leibowitz is terrific! I also loved Lunch in Paris, a love stor with recipes by Elizabeth Bard.

If you want fiction set in Paris, Cara Black's books are great reads...I think Murder in the Marais is the first in the series.

Luncheon of the Boating Party by Susan Vreeland was a fun little peek at Paris. It's about the painting by Renoir.

The Judgment of Paris: The Revolutionary Decade That Gave the World Impressionism by Ross King.
If you're interested in art this was a really good book. Maybe if you aren't interested in art it would still be a good book.

Denisea, it looks like we have similar taste in books! I've read Marie Antoinette by Ms. Fraser twice already (obviously I really enjoyed it!) and I also own and enjoyed reading The Sweet Life in Paris

It seems like it would be a good idea to go with your other rec's too!

For Venice you may consider the novel Miss Garnet's Angel, by Sally Vickers.Miss Garnet is a 60ish London spinster, accustomed to a life of frugality. An unexpected inheritance leads her to decide to live in VEnice for 6 months. The richness of the city, its people & its history transform Miss Gasrnet's life. The novel is very visual, & it is very easy to find the various landmarks & historical sites. A magical place, made even more so by the storytelling. Enjoy your trip

Ahiddenbird....I am a voracious Paris related reader. And I just started on more books related to or set in Rome.

Here's one more humorous look at Paris - "Paris I Love You but Your Bringing me Down" by Rosencrans Baldwin!

I doubt I can remember them alll....thete was a great collection of essays tabout Paris that I read last year....can't remember the title!

a good thread on books about Paris from last year
http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/paris-reading-suggestions-not-guidebook.cfm

A most interesting book is The Way of the Tumbrils; by John Elliot.He wrotes about Paris and the main characters og the French Revolution.The book is so goob you can feel that things are occuring now; and a lot of places come to life; so as when you are walking there, you think "here lived Danton" or "here Robestpierre was imprisioned".Enjot your readings and your trip.

I enjoyed 'Parisiens' by Graham Robb. It is a series of stories and anecdotes of Paris from early days. Also John Baxter's books as previously mentioned, and 'Lunch in Paris'. I have just finished Jeremy Mercer's book [ he is a former Canadian journalist ] 'Books, Baguettes, and Bedbugs' about his experience living for several months at Shakespeare and Co bookshop.

I have to confess to scouring second hand and op-shops for any books about France and now have an extensive collection which I enjoy dipping into frequently. Some are older, but I have found some great books. I find reading these books sometimes gives a different perspective. I know I will enjoy a visit to Shakespeare and Co next time we visit Paris. DH is not addicted as I am, but enjoys the snippets I sometimes read to him.

Have a great trip.

I would add 'Paris to the Moon' by Adam Gopnik and for Denisea 'Rome' by Robert Hughes is wonderful.

I am browsing "Rome" at the moment, trying to absorb some background and understanding, while counting down to our trip (and trying to stay focused on work!)

Many thanks lucyp! I will get on that!

I recommend watching Midnight in Paris, Woody Allen's movie. I watched it 3 times before we went to Paris & absolutely love it. I also recommend A Moveable Feast and The Sun Also Rises by Hemingway.

Goodness, so many intriguing suggestions! Thanks so much everyone, this is very helpful. I always get excited at the prospect of a new book, so this is great!

Trotsky: that sounds like a charming story, I'll be looking it up at once!

Denisea: I really do enjoy an author with a good sense of humor, so thanks again

Hello all - I signed up to Fodor today - just so I could join in this fabulous forum on books!! Love the list. just want to add 3 i have just read - "A Train In Winter" about female French resistance fighters (deeply moving); Me, Myself and Lord Byron (Julietta Jameson) and an oldie but a goodie Almost French - the latter two are by Australian authors. Any recommendations on Borgias, French royals?

Another humorous book on Paris- A Year in the Merde. Have forgotten author's name, and there is also a sequel. Very funny accounts of a young English man's year working in a French company & his adventures in finding accommodation, finding love & almost avoiding being in the merde

Hi, I recently read "A Train in Winter" as well and it's deeply terrible, but somehow uplifting story continues to haunt me. Only good books/stories can do that. Especially seems fitting when so many horrible things are still happening to innocent people in so many places to this day.