If my Valentines Day romance writings were too much and a lighter more amusing read is more called for then 'Stuff Parisians Like' could be just the thing for your Valentines gift... I am currently reading it and loving Oliver Magny's witty words... One of my readers bought it to my attention... Thank you Lola...
'To be mistaken for a Parisian, readers must buy the newspaper Le Monde, fold it, and walk. Then sit at a café and make phone calls. Be sure to order San Pellegrino, not any other kind of fizzy water. They shouldn't be surprised when a waiter brings out two spoons after they order le moelleux au chocolat- it is understood that the dessert is too sinfully delicious not to share. Go to l'île Saint-Louis-all Parisians are irredeemably in love with that island. Feel free to boldly cross the street whenever the impulse strikes-pedestrian crosswalks are too dangerous. If they take a cruise on the Seine, they will want to stand outside, preferably with their collar popped up. If they want to decorate, may we suggest the photographs of Robert Doisneau? To truly be cool in Paris, own an iPhone, wear Converse sneakers, and order sushi. And as they stroll through the Luxembourg Gardens, remember-they can't go wrong wearing black.'
Another fun read is 'Black Diamond' by Martin Walker ... recommended to me by Sophia... and I am so happy that she did... I loved it... especially after my own truffle adventure...
Something dangerous is afoot in St. Denis. In the space of a few weeks, the normally sleepy village sees attacks on Vietnamese vendors, arson at a local Asian restaurant, subpar truffles from China smuggled into outgoing shipments at a nearby market—all of it threatening the Dordogne’s truffle trade, worth millions of dollars each year, and all of it spelling trouble for Benoît “Bruno” Courrèges, master chef, devoted oenophile, and, most important, beloved chief of police. When one of his hunting partners, a noted truffle expert, is murdered, Bruno’s investigation into the murky events unfolding around St. Denis becomes infinitely more complicated. His friend wasn’t just a connoisseur of French delicacies, he was a former high-profile intelligence agent—and someone wanted him dead.
As the strange crimes continue, Bruno’s detective work takes him from sunlit markets to dim cafés, from luxurious feasts to tense negotiations—from all of the paradisial pleasures of the region to its shadowy underworld—and reunites him with a lost love, an ambitious policewoman also assigned to the case. Filled with an abundance of food and wine (including, bien sûr, many, many truffles) and a soupçon of romance,Black Diamond is a deliciously entertaining concoction that delivers all the complexity and delights of the Dordogne itself.
As the strange crimes continue, Bruno’s detective work takes him from sunlit markets to dim cafés, from luxurious feasts to tense negotiations—from all of the paradisial pleasures of the region to its shadowy underworld—and reunites him with a lost love, an ambitious policewoman also assigned to the case. Filled with an abundance of food and wine (including, bien sûr, many, many truffles) and a soupçon of romance,Black Diamond is a deliciously entertaining concoction that delivers all the complexity and delights of the Dordogne itself.
Are there any French stories or memoirs that you love?... I am always on the lookout for new ones... I just can't help myself... xv
and don't forget to send your roses... they will be loved...
images - google
Bonjour Vicki. I am really enjoying "Stuff Parisians Like" too. I have smiled often and laughed out loud a few times while reading it ;-) Funny thing is, I always remind people that even though I married a Parisian and lived in Paris for 10 years before moving to the States, I am truly "une Toulousaine." Well, I guess I need to review that assessment pronto: There were quite a few chapters in the book where Olivier Magny could have been describing... moi! Quelle horreur ;-) Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
ReplyDeleteI must get both!! But since you asked, two of my favorite decorating/memoir books are yours, Vicki.
ReplyDeleteA partially French book recommendation - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. The book is written in the form of letters and telegrams between an English woman and a gentleman living on the Isle of Guernsey during Nazi occupation of the island. It's such a sweet story, especially for Valentine's day!
ReplyDeleteThat first one looks absolutely amazing!
ReplyDeleteXX Kathryn
http://lacoquettedelamode.wordpress.com/
The Parisian book has been on my list for some time, chere Vicki! I adore L'Ile Saint Louis, sushi, San Pellegrino, and Converse...may I call myself a Parisian now?? :)))
ReplyDeleteI also really enjoyed "Paris to the Moon"..
Have a wonderfully romantic week!!
xoxo,
- Irina
I went back to read the comments from yesterday's post. Interesting how differently we all feel about Valentine's Day. I know that my honey won't even remember that it is tomorrow and that makes me a little sad. An extra dose of romance is lovely time and again. And I have stopped going all out on the romantic gestures myself as it just makes him feel bad for forgetting. Just seeing his face light up every morning when he sees me will have to do. :)
ReplyDeleteVicki, thank you for putting me on your blogroll. Little blogs like mine need all the help they can get! It is much appreciated...
-Heather
What a lovely thing to say Heather. I dream of having someone's face light up when they see me. That's very romantic.
ReplyDeleteA book that really surprised me was The Hidden Diaries of Marie Antoinette by Carolly Erickson. I picked it up at a local charity shop not thinking too much about it, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Although it's a fictional novel I learn a lot and it prompted me to continue reading about her life. I now have Queen of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette wore to the Revolution sitting beside my bed waiting for me to make a start.
'Stuff Parisians Like' sounds just like my kind of fun book. Thank you for the introduction.
ReplyDeletehttp://missbbobochic.blogspot.com/
Look like wonderful suggestions, although some of Olivier's advice - especially the last bit - is equally applicable for NY!!
ReplyDeleteI am intrigued by Black Diamond, love a great mystery!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
"Stuff Parisians Like" is very funny, a satirical take of the insider , I smiled all the way to the end. And you know, the funniest things may be easily applied to any big city inhabitants, as they have so much in common in their attitude and aplomb.
ReplyDeleteThe other three books I enjoyed lately very much are John Baxter's The Most Beautiful Walk in the World, We'll Always Have Paris, and Immoveable Feast. I've posted about it here http://jewelyettofind.blogspot.com/2012/01/walking-with-john-baxter.html
Have a wonderful Valentine's Day, Vicky.
-Natalie
I have put these books on my list of must have's... they sound like good fun. Hope your week is full of love, romance and laughter.
ReplyDeleteJo x
Loved the excerpt from the Olivier Magny book. We all want to fit in, especially when vising Paris!
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ReplyDeleteI will certainly look into these books, especially that mystery! I love mysteries set in France! I've read all of Cara Black's books, and I just finished reading my 4th Fred Vargas mystery, featuring the quirky commisaire Adamsberg. Evidently Vargas [ who is a woman] is France's best mystery write, and I can see why. Have you read her? I love these books, and will be including the first three of the series in a giveaway on Valentine's Day.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vicki, for being my daily "French Connection".
dawne
I'd love that book on Parisians....it would make for a lovely Valentine's gift.
ReplyDeleteLove the sound of the parisian book x
ReplyDeleteFrench Girl in Seattle you are funny and Lost in Provence—I'll read yours!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the book ideas Vicki,(your books are on my living room table) I'll add them to my stack. My next read is Proust. I've shamefully read very little and not since college.
Dear Vicki-
ReplyDeleteI loved your thoughtful comments about Valentine's Day.
I have reservations about the commercial nature of it--and was shocked some years ago to see how commercialized it is now in France (it used to be lots of pretty flowers but not all the pink cards and 'window dressing' and 'cute' things.
Books: Black Diamong, the Martin Walker book, is an absorbing and complex read. I enjoyed it. I especially (and only) enjoy books on France in which the author ADORES, LOVES, DOTES ON, IS PASSIONATE ABOUT, and UNRESERVEDLY LOVES LOVES LOVES France, French people, French life and food and culture. Then it is rich and delicious and the reader is captured and pulled along willingly and happily reading insider information on France. It is like being there. That is the ideal.
I hope all is blissful in Provence. very best DIANE www.thestylesaloniste.com/
Can't wait to read your book suggestions! Have you read the wonderful "The Tenth Muse, My Life in Food" by Judith Jones? The story of her life in Paris after World War II and her return to the US where she published Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." Some great recipes included!
ReplyDeleteMore great suggestions, Vicki. And to think - I need a couple more books to add to my amazon.com list before I ordered. Perfect timing!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of perfect timing, I thought you'd love hearing that I played my harp at a Valentine's theme wedding on Saturday. Red dresses, white roses, all romance. Ahhh...sigh.
Interesting, I love mystery books.
ReplyDeleteStill can see the svelt looking French women with the
flowers upside down and a loaf of bread under the arm.
The shops go on forever and windows are so beautifully
displayed. Have fun.
yvonne
Oh my, I must be French. LOVE that island! Just popped in to wish you a happy valentine's day, V!
ReplyDeleteKirsten
Vicki,
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like my kind of book. I'll have to pick up a copy and start reading after I finish P.D. James, Murder in Pemberly. A continuation of Pride and Prejudice...Some years after Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth were married. Very Jane Austin entertaining with a little murder mystery.
Karen
C'est tres drole.
ReplyDeleteI love mysteries! The Black Diamond is just my thing. And 'Stuff Parisians Like' sounds like a perfect read to brighten the skies here. I'm in the mood for something light. Thank you so much for posting. :) I love your blog. So very much fun and so well done.
ReplyDelete"A town like paris" by Bryce Corbett made me laugh.....Good Australian sense of humour. Sylvia
ReplyDeleteI second Cara Black's Aimee Leduc series, and loved Carol Drinkwater's Olive series.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful girlfriend of mine went to one of Olivier's book signings in the States and sent me his autograph that she'd procured. I was so excited when it arrived! I'm glad you love reading, Vicki ~ your weather has been so conducive to it lately...
ReplyDeleteI love those writers who share insider information that makes people do delightfully special!Always a treat visiting you!
ReplyDeleteI've spent a fair amount of time in Paris, and in France in general. Absolutely love the place but Monsieur Magny is right, Parisians are a breed apart. I have a French friend who just hates going to Paris as he always gets in some kind of trouble. Luckily I'm able to spend time there without such hassles...
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