It’s time to dream of Paris and travel via books thanks to Tamara from Thyme for Tea who is once again hosting Paris in July.
While I’ve never been to Paris or France for that matter (I’m not counting a brief layover at the Paris airport several years ago), I’ve long had dreams about traveling there which no doubt began when I started studying French when I was around 14 years old.
Here are the books I’m considering for the month long blogging event:
The Readers’ Room by Antoine Laurain, translated by Jane Aitken, Emily Boyce and Polly Mackintosh. A debut crime novel arrives at a Parisian publishing house and everyone in the readers’ room agrees it is something special. Guess what? It is! I read this one over the weekend and it’s a great book. I’ll tell you more about it soon.
The Pleasing Hour by Lily King. A novel about an American au pair in Paris who finds comfort with a family however soon becomes entangled in a love affair.
Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. This is a historical novel about a ten-year-old girl living in Paris who is taken with her parents by the France police as they go arresting Jewish families in the middle of the night. I remember when this was all the rage in blogland and I just never got around to it.
A Novel Bookstore by Laurence Cossé, translated by Alison Anderson. Tucked away in a corner of Paris, Ivan and Francesca decide to open a bookstore devoted solely to good literature and their love of books but their great success will lead to hatred by the publishing elite. Lately I’m in the mood to read books about books/bookstores. I think it’s because now that we are going out a bit more I want to make up for the lost time of last year when I didn’t visit any bookstores or libraries!
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo. What needs to be said about this classic? My copy of this book is actually quite special as a dear friend gave it to me. She bought it for me at the Shakespeare and Company bookstore.
Let me know if you are participating in Paris in July and if you have any good recommendations. Along with good reads I hope to try out a French recipe or two and maybe watch a movie or tv show set in Paris.
I’ve read and enjoyed three books by Lauraine; The President’s Hat was my favorite. All of these titles sound good, and I love the fact that your Hunchback of Notre-Dame was a gift bought at the Shakespeare and Company bookstore!
Laurain has a new book out? I loved his others. And I also want to read A Novel Bookstore, because who can resist a book about books or bookstores? 😀 I’ve been to Paris once…and it was wonderful, and I really want to go back there someday. Until then, I’ll have to settle for reading about it. Have a great weekend!
I’ve enjoyed other novels by Antoine Laurain, but had not heard of this one! Will see if my library has a copy. I’m also hoping to read The Pleasing Hour this month.
Jen Mullen – I definitely want to read more by this author after having read The Readers’ Room. And, yes, my copy of the Hunchback is really special. It even has a stamp on the title page with the Shakespeare & Co logo!
Lark – I feel so behind on this author because I don’t think I had really registered his books on my radar but now I’m definitely going to want to read more. And, I know right? Who can resist a book with books/bookstores, I mean, it’s a must. Paris is definitely on my travel bucket list!
Joann @ Gulfside Musing – I hope you enjoy this one. I really did and actually need to review it. And, yay, we’ll have to compare notes on The Pleasing Hour! I hope it’ll be a great read.
I’d love to visit Paris one day. Sigh.
I’ve not read any of these books but I’ll be interested to know what you’ll think of them!
I would love to visit Paris. Perhaps one day. Sarah’s Key has been on my TBR shelf for quite some time. I loved Les Miserables by Hugo so maybe should pick up The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and give it a try.
Melody – I know, wouldn’t it be wonderful? So far, I’ve finished The Readers’ Room and highly recommend it.
Literary Feline – I hope you get to go one day. I sure hope so too. At this point I just want to travel anywhere without the threat of COVID! I’ve not read anything by Victor Hugo so I need to make that happen!