wliwl

I just finished reading a book that was sort of part tour book, part autobiography (City of the Soul : A Walk in Rome by William Murray). It was not an earth shattering book, but I enjoyed reading about Rome in a nice, leasurely way. I'm reading "The Agony and the Ecstasy" next.

Can anybody recommend similar books for Paris and Rome?

Eloise

Here is a list of a few hundred books related to Italy (not only Rome):

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34410488

There may be something similar for Paris and/or France, but I'm a confirmed Italophile.

got1tiel

just one book:

da vinci code

wliwl

Thank you for that thread, Eloise. Wow! Good thing I'm not leaving until June!

leahinsc

I highly recommend "Almost French" by Sarah Turnbull. It describes her adjustment as an Aussie moving to Paris to be with her French boyfriend who eventually becomes her husband. I read it on my flight over to Paris and continued to pour over it during the week we spent there. Her descriptions of the people are priceless and it gives you valuable insight to the Parisian mindset, culture, and culinary world.

Grinisa

One of the best books on Rome is "As the Romans Do." I also like all of Paul Hofmann's books. He is the former Rome bureau chief for the New York Times and lives on Monte Mario.

Jun04ItalyHoneymoon

Angels and Demons
Michaelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling

Loved both of those before our trip to Italy last summer

sforza

For Paris, we like the Cara Black detective novels..."Murder in the Marais," etc. There's a new one coming out soon, I understand. Also the novels of Sebastien Japrisot. He wrote the book that was the basis for the recent movie, A Very Long Engagement. And of course, there's Hemingway.