Today was so not going to be a post about dreaming about Paris but thanks to Danielle and Marg, I saw that the Paris In July reading challenge hosted by Karen and Tamara is back! Now in it’s fourth year. How could I have missed that.

I’ve never been to Paris, although for a couple of hours I will be setting foot in Paris when we travel later this summer, but in the meantime why not indulge in some reading set in Paris?

It’s funny because at first I thought I don’t have any books set in Paris and after a very quick glance at my bookshelves, look at what I found:

• A Novel Bookstore by Laurence Cosse
• Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris by Paul Gallico
• Paris Was Ours by Penelope Rowlands
• Luncheon of the Boating Party by Susan Vreeland

I know I’ve been very reluctant about joining reading challenges this year but I don’t know, now I’m excited about them all over again. Besides this challenge is easy because you can also participate in other ways – watch a French movie, eat some French food, listen to some French music. Lots of possibilities and fun ways to enjoy the challenge.

So who else is joining and what are you planning to read/do?

I’m slowly making progress on my current reads I mentioned last week. I did finish the Best American Poetry 2012 collection which I found sad a lot of times but I was very glad to read this because I found gems from Billy Collins, Sherman Alexie and Mark Strand to name a few. I’m really in the mood to read more poetry and am excited to have another poetry book waiting for me at the library.

Speaking of the library, I actually have an overdue book still out and of course I’ve received a note about some books on hold waiting for me. I think I currently have about 11 holds. I’m sure I’ll go on a library ban in a while to read more from my stacks but for now I’m having fun finding library books.

Somehow when we were at Barnes & Noble last weekend I missed (or maybe it wasn’t out just yet) the latest Mystery Scene Magazine – jumbo Summer edition. Oh my! I really need to get that so I already know what I’ll be looking for this coming weekend.

Oh and happy July! In case you are wondering what to read next, here are the 10 Must-Reads for this month. I’ve got an advance copy of Susan Choi’s, My Education but there are a couple of others on the list that look very interesting. Here’s to a great reading month.