Books again- France- Paris
 

with a twist.

Has anyone read anything set in Paris or wider France published in the last 6 months, and which they could recommend. Preferably, but not necessarily fiction. If so, please share.

I do know about most, if not all, o fthe earlier stuff.

I don't know if this is what you are looking for, but I just finished reading Julia Child, My Life in France. It was excellent!

Cara Black has written a number of books - I've only read 'Murder in the Marais' but I know there is also Murder in Montmartre and others.

Cara Black's "Murder in the rue du Paradis." If we can go back a little farther in time, Diane Johnson's "In a Paris Quartier."

MY FRENCH LIFE is a gorgeous coffee table book published in the last six months.

The Discovery of France A historical geography from the revolution to the first World War by Graham Robb.
Aveyron, a Bridge to French Arcadia
by Thirza Vallois.
I finished My French Life
by Vickie Archer,
And Murder in the rue de Paradis.
If you're a Cara Black fan, you will enjoy this eight book.
She gets better with each one.

I also read the book, "My Life in France" about Julia Child 2 years ago and really enjoyed it.

I am now reading and enjoying "Almost French" by Sarah Turnbull--this has been out a number of years though.

Am anxious to read some of the other suggestions posted.

Thanks, guys. More please.

Not new, but have you read:
On Rue Tatin
Almost French
Weekend in Paris
The last time I saw Paris

More info, if needed.

I also would like some new "reads".

I'm reading for a trip next week...so far:

Suite Francaise -- Irene Nemirovsky (newly english-version paperback, finally!)
Luncheon of the Boating Party -- Susan Vreeland (also new in PB)

Thanks, I'll look them up.

I also like books that take place anywhere in France or Italy.

Any suggestions?

The Last Summer of the World, by Emily Mitchell (a novel based on the life of Edward Steichen). Much of the action takes place in France during WWI, when Steichen was an aerial reconnaissance photographer for the U.S. Army. A first novel, it's very well written, and contains lots of interesting stuff I never knew about photography and Steichen's life.

I just picked up the Dressmaker by Elizabeth Birkelund Oberbeck; published in 2006. About a dressmaker of wedding gowns living north of Paris. I haven't started it yet but it looks interesting.

I just started Sepulchre by Kate Mosse. It doesn't have the best reviews on Amazon, but I thought I'd give it a try.

not new but Kate Mosse's "Labyrinth", (if you are interested in the Cathars)
"THE Book Of Salt" by Monique Truono,
about Gertrude Stein's life with her chef.( A book of fiction)
"Pais Discovered" by Mary McAuliffe,
A whimsical book I love, "Waiting for Gertrude" all the famous in Pere LaChaise cemetary return as cats with amusing results. Oscar wilde has the hots for Jim Morrison,... and I won't spoil the rest. I can recommend more if you want ,Sheila.

cigalechanta - I don't remember the name of it, but I think Kate Mosse has a brand new book out this week. At least I remember seeing the audio for it today. (bookstore employee)


Can't think of anything else new and french related at the moment. Everything I can think of isn't really new, and can't think of the titles or the authors. :P

Not necessarily recent, but how about any of Fred Vargas's detective stories, Daniel Pennac's Malaussène series ("Belleville Quartet"), or Edmund White's "Le Flâneur"?

I just read The Lost King of France - fabulous. A non-ficton book about Marie Antoinette, the revolution, Louis the XVI and the little boy who would have been king if it wasn't for all that head chopping.

Better and better. TVM

Again, not new but Anna Gavalda's Hunting and Gathering (original title Ensemble c'est tout)is set in Paris and its environs, and is worth a look.

It was also recently made into a film with the delectable Audrey Tautou.

What's with the big blank space between posts?

I just finished Extremely Pale Rose by Jamie Ivey and am not recommending it. Anybody else read this and think it was odd? Slightly unbelievable and uneventful for nonfiction. And the ending--don't ask. After I finished it I checked the cataloging info on back of the title page and it's fiction, even though it's about three real people and actual winegrowers. Fiction would have had a plot, interesting events along the way, and a satisfying ending. All our tastes are different, so maybe you'd like it.

Coquelicot, I started reading that book and finally put it down about a quarter way through it. I just could not get into it though I gave it a chance as I was hoping it would get better.

Sheila,I too love all books set anywhere in France. Have you read the Stephen Clark books: A Year in the Merde, In the Merde for Love (also called Merde Actually), and a brand new one that I can't wait to read Merde Happens. His books are very funny.

Well, I just have to bookmark this!

'Paris to the Moon' by Adam Gopnik is a good read.

but it is more than 6 months old :)

Oooh, I didn't know Stephen Clark had a new Merde book out! I read his other two and found them hilarious. I'll have to check this one out.

I'm part way though "The Girl with no Shadow" by Joanne Harris. It's the sequel to Chocolat and is set in Montmartre. It's very good so far.

This is certainly not a new book…but perhaps it is so old you may have forgotten it, or never heard of it. Desiree by Annemarie Selinko. A novel of Napoleon’s first love. It was first published in 1953. Marlon Brando starred in the movie version. I just finished reading it and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Also, a second vote for The Lost King of France. Excellent book. After reading that, I made sure that I visited Basilica of St. Denis the next time I was in Paris.

What a great thread! I love reading books set in areas that I'm about to visit... Now I have a few more to add to the list.

I would like to ditto a few already mentioned: Paris to Moon and Suite Francaise.

I didn't love the two Cara Black books that I've read, glad to hear they get better with each one.

Not the last six months, but Abundance by Sena Jeter Naslund is about Marie Antoinette. It mentions many locations in Paris and Versailles. Great read!

now home before I go to bed but wanted to add that "The Lost King of France" was the only Historical book I have enjoyed that was not a dull, boring read. It read like a mystery.
Sheila if you google you will find the latest, but not as good as the The Lost King of France.
good night my friend

I just received my copy of the just published We've Always had Paris...And Provence by Patricia and Walter Wells from Amazon! I'm hoping it's an enjoyable read!

and I have to top this again...

We might as well win, by Johan Bruyneel. It's about the Tour de France and being Lance Armstrong's coach.

I'm also currently reading Strangers in Paradise A Memoir of Provence by Paul Christensen.

I just returned from 3 weeks in Provence on Monday and already miss it so....

Just read "We Might As Well Win" and thought it was among the best TdF books I've read. I also enjoyed Tim Moore's book, "French Revolutions" where he rides the 2000 TdF route before the race. He includes interesting historical tales from old tours with his usually witty style.

I just finished this book, about an Aussie who moves to Paris; easy reading, light and absorbing:





http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/d...767928175.html

this is not a new one.....
just a wonderful memoir - paris to the moon by adam gopnik.
i am re-reading it getting ready for my 1st trip to paris in april.

Was at the library last night and just picked up a new book called "The Matchmaker of Perigord". It's a novel by Julia Stuart copyright 2008. Looks funny; can't wait to dig in!

Anyone read it yet?

I am anxious to get a new restaurant guide, Hungry for Paris: The Ultimate Guide to the City's 102 Best Restaurants by Alexander Lobrano. He is European correspondent for Gourmet magazine. I heard him interviewed and I think his choices are definitely great-many of my favorites were mentioned and they aren't all high end. So it should be good.