So let me make a New Year’s Resolution early: I am going to complete reading challenges in 2013!
And the first one I’m committing to is: Books on France 2013 Reading Challenge. Hosted at Words and Peace, this challenge asks you to read books set in France, written by a French author, written in French (not Canadian French though), or about a French theme.
LOVE! My francophilic senses were tingling as I pondered my bookshelf for what I can read for this challenge, and I have found enough to let me aim for level 3 – passionnement – which is 12 books (one per month, that is pretty doable).
My selections (though subject to change) are:
- Concerto to the Memory of an Angel by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt
- The Woman with the Bouquet by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt
- A Town Like Paris: Falling in Love in the City of Light by Bryce Corbett
- Finding Me in France by Bobbi French
- Paris: A Love Story by Kati Marton
- The Gospel According to Coco Chanel by Karen Karbo
- The Missing of the Somme by Geoff Dyer
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo
- Nana by Emile Zola
- Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
- The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World’s Most Glorious – and Perplexing – City by David Lebovitz
- Sleeping with the Enemy: Coco Chanel’s Secret War by Hal Vaughn
And to help me out with my challenges for 2013 I have already set up a reading journal where I am going to list each book I’ve selected for challenges with the intent of organizing myself better. It’s worth a try, right?
That seems like a fun challenge! You might also be interested in reading “Paris, I Love You But You’re Bringing Me Down” by Rosecrans Baldwin. It’s a memoir by an American man who moved to Paris with his wife to work in advertising despite barely speaking French and having no advertising experience. It’s really funny and says a lot of interesting things about the city. I reviewed it on my blog, if you’d like to read it and consider adding the book to your challenge list: http://bookspeakvolumes.wordpress.com/2012/10/31/paris-i-love-you-but-youre-bringing-me-down-by-rosecrans-baldwin/
I read that one earlier this year, Leah, and enjoyed reading about the not-so-sweet aspects of living in Paris.
Oh, good! I also liked that the book showed Paris’ ups and downs
another fun book on Paris, especially if you love chocolate and cookies, is Paris My Sweet: http://wordsandpeace.com/2012/02/01/i-love-france-14-review-6-2012-paris-my-sweet/
Ohhh Can I recommend and author? Philippe Claudel: he is a wonderful narrator. His stories are gray, but you will be involved in them.
And I’ve post a review, just a few minutes ago, about another French author; a very funny classic short story: Twenty-four hours in the life of a sensitive woman. You will love it!!
Good luck with your challenge!!