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 Bonnie Hookom on February 10, 2011 at 0:20

I have 2 favorites that come to mind. 'Seven Ages of Paris' by Alistair Horne is a fabulous book that gives the history of Paris from 1180 until 1969. It is filled with historical information and facts. It is a little heavy but still an enjoyable read. On the lighter side I really have to recommend ''Almost French'' by Sarah Turnbull. It is about an Australian woman who marries a French man and moves to Paris. Now that I've gotten them off the shelf I just may reread them. Thanks to the others who have listed titles which sound interesting. I will be expanding my library!

Permalink Reply by Sab Will on February 10, 2011 at 15:43

That's funny Bonnie - 'Seven Ages of Paris' is sitting on my desk waiting to be read, as soon as I finish 'Parisians - An Adventure History', which I'll review in due course!
I'm also a fan of 'Almost French', which is one of the most readable expat tales I think.

Permalink Reply by Sab Will on February 10, 2011 at 17:59

I've just reviewed a very Paris-influenced book, although totally off-the-wall! 'Mademoiselle London Loves Paris (sometimes) (quelquefois)"

It's got a ton of English-expat blog publicity, and mine is just the latest in a long list of positive reviews, so it was quite difficult to be original. I didn't read any of the other reviews beforehand or I dont' think I'd even have been able to start! And I recorded a little video of me talking about the review too. Now I haven't seen THAT on any of the other blogs.

Whether it's a good thing or not I have no idea. Maybe I'll go down rapidly with my blogs and never be heard of again!

Permalink Reply by Sab Will on March 1, 2011 at 11:29

Parisians: An Adventure History of Paris

Here's my review of a very interesting book on Paris history - just click the book to be magically transported there.

Just to give you a bit of context, it's not every day a really original book on the history of Paris comes out, but in this case it looks like Graham Robb has done just that. You might not like the approach, but at least it's different, and just for that it's worth a look.

I'm almost literally swimming in books about Paris to review, having made it something of a mission of mine, and I'm worried that this one is going to make some of the more mainstream histories seem a bit boring in comparison. Maybe I should have read them the other way around? I'll let you know!

Permalink Reply by Rich Snyder on March 4, 2011 at 10:41

A couple of books that I read early on are "My French Life" by Vicki Archer (which includes Paris with the rest of France), and a small book, "Quiet Corners of Paris" by Jean-Christophe Napias. And of course the must-read "Almost French".

Permalink Reply by Sab Will on March 4, 2011 at 11:13

That's interesting Rich - I don't know the first two (although the expression 'My French Life' does ring a bell). The second sounds right up my rue.
And you're another fan of 'Almost French', huh? Seems like everyone likes that one. Aussies, eh?!