Books about Paris

The title says it all! This is the place to post details of any books you've read and enjoyed that are Paris related. Fact or fiction, guide books or coffee table hardbacks....List them here!

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Permalink Reply by Sab Will on November 14, 2010 at 14:05

An excellent new discussion Catharine, and I have a ton of books I can recommend, but... I'm not at home, I'm at my parents' home, so I'll hang on a bit.

I'm also thinking of starting a Paris book review section on one of my blogs, so this would be a great place to put those too. But I will tell you one word: Parigramme. They have a lot to answer for on my bookselves!

Permalink Reply by davis porterfield on November 14, 2010 at 20:13

"Women of the Left bank" by Shari Benstock is a wonderful book about women literary figures living in Paris in the early 20th century. It opens up a world often ignored in literary history which generally pays more attention to male writers. Its an engrossing biographic/history that will really sweep one into that fascinating time.

Permalink Reply by davis porterfield on November 14, 2010 at 22:51

Just a couple more (while I procrastinate on writing this paper...) Paris to the Moon by Adam Gopnik. Gopnik is a writer for The New Yorker. He & his wife decided to spend their infant sons first 5 or so years in Paris in the hopes of avoiding the whole "Barney culture" of american children. Its a hilarious account of expat life in Paris. Also, I just picked up Dorie Greenspan's new cookbook, Around My French Table, which is full of fabulous recipes she's picked up in France. I recently made Pumpkin Stuffed with Everything Good, and WOW. And on that note, The Alice B Toklas cookbook is full of some great, some weird but all interesting recipes & stories from WWI to accompany them.

Permalink Reply by Sab Will on November 14, 2010 at 22:55

Ah, Paris To The Moon is one I keep seeing and must read. As for the recipe book, well, I'm a guy, and, you know, cooking ain't really my thing. There are chefs and people like that to do that sort of thing after all, aren't there..? ;-)

Permalink Reply by davis porterfield on November 14, 2010 at 23:02

Its well worth picking up! Very fun (& smart) read. Re cooking, I don't buy that gender binary stuff! And the stuffed pumpkin is easy breezy. Throw some Gruyere, bacon, bread, cream, chives & thyme, oh & I added chesnuts, into a pumpkin, bake it, eat it. WORTH it. Hm. can one find pumpkin ale in Paris these days? Or do I see a future in booze importing?

Permalink Reply by Sab Will on November 15, 2010 at 23:09

Just bought a new one with a view to reviewing it shortly: called, would you believe it... 'Paris'.

It's from Oxygen books and is a compendium of writing on Paris - looks promising - I'll let you know!

Permalink Reply by Sab Will on November 17, 2010 at 18:24

DIE IN PARIS by Marilyn Z. Tomlins
A brand new book out there which looks to be totally different is called 'Die In Paris' and is a gruesome one about a crazy doctor who murdered people during the second world war in Paris. I'm going to meet the author when I get back to Paris so I'm excited about that, as long as she hasn't got too into her subject after all those years of research... has anyone read it? Apparently it's horrifying but totally gripping.

Permalink Reply by Sally Adamson Taylor on November 17, 2010 at 18:33

Have to shamelessly include my own book here, Culture Shock France. Latest version should be available in Paris. Part of the Culture Shock series published by Marshall Cavendish in Singapore. The subtitle could be "How to Love the French" but my publisher refused that idea. He claimed nobody would buy a book with that title! But it contains all the secrets you need for enjoying France.

Permalink Reply by Sab Will on November 17, 2010 at 20:21

Wow - I'm honoured to have real live authors on this modest little group Sally! I recognise the ventilation chimney tower thing by Moretti from La Defense on the front cover - I worked there for a few years.
Seeing as you're -quote- "shamelessly including" your book here (as you should!!) I'm going to shamelessly ask you for a review copy for my new Paris site which will include book reviews! Is the latest version out already? Can you give us a little snippet?

Permalink Reply by Wendy Wise on November 17, 2010 at 19:33

I just thought I'd post this one http://www.amazon.com/Me-Myself-Paris-Eiffel-Grocery/dp/1432757148/... by a Facebook friend of mine Ruth Yunker "Me, Myself and Paris". She is a charming and witty lady and madly in love with Paris...I'll see if I can persuade her to join us!

Permalink Reply by Sab Will on November 17, 2010 at 20:25

Oh, I didn't know about that particular Paris book Wendy, thanks! She and the book sound great. I'm looking forward to reading it at some point - have you seen it here in France yet? The cover illustration's lovely.

Permalink Reply by Wendy Wise on November 17, 2010 at 20:29

I haven't Sab, but I live out in the sticks, she's only just returned from a trip to Paris where she did some signings, I believe, so I expect its available.