Paris in July Wrap Up - Merci Beaucoup Tamara

I cannot believe how fast July moved and as soon as it began, Paris in July @ Thyme for Tea was over, well that's how it felt. I loved every minute of it and wish it ran for another month. Sadly all good things must come to an end.   

Merci beaucoup Tamara for hosting another fabulous Paris in July. All your hard work makes it so easy and enjoyable for us to participate ... collating posts each week, providing link-ups, visiting and commenting on participant's posts, scheduling your own. Awesome job!! 

And I've had so much fun. The variety of posts ... quirky, fun, serious, mouth-watering, educational, inspirational. Everything from photos, book reviews, recipes, personal experiences and stories, travel tips, music, things to do, places to go. It really has been the next best thing to being there :)

I've just finished 2 French memoir books, unfortunately too late to post reviews for Paris in July. So next year I'll start early & hopefully be more organised with my reading for the event haha  ... 

Here's what I posted over the month:

CHÂTEAU DE VERSAILLE ~ Palace, Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, Marie Antoinette's estate and lots of photos of the day. 

BOOK LOVER'S PARADISE - SHAKESPEARE AND COMPANY BOOKSHOP ~ love this bookstore and love The Story of Babar the little elephant by Jean de Brunhoff

THE LITTLE PARIS BOOKSHOP by Nina George (audiobook) ~ quirky read about a literary apothecary and his floating bookstore on the Seine

LOVE AFFAIR WITH PARIS ~ Paris really is crack for photographers and foodies


until next year ... au revoire

Paris in July hosted by Tamara @ Thyme for Tea

Château de Versaille

I've long had a fascination with Marie Antoinette and the French court, over the years reading everything I can get my hands on. The Château de Versaille has been on my bucket list for years and on my trip to Paris last year visiting Versaille was a no-brainer. We stayed in the 7th arrondissement, close to the Eiffel Tower so Versailles was a short trip via the RER. 

You can easily spend a full day here, well I could lol. I pre-purchased Passport tickets (Palace, Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon and Marie Antoinette's estate) but given the time of the year and choice of day to visit, the queues were non-existent although it was still busy in the palace.  

the opulence was seriously mind-blowing

ceiling in the Royal Chapel ... AMAZING!

loved the Hall of Mirrors ... all that bling makes it tough to get photos

the Queen's Bedchamber 

I loved wandering around Marie Antoinette's estate. Whilst there wasn't much flowering in the cottage gardens in the Queen's Hamlet, the grass is so green and the colours in the trees beautiful.

Marie Antoinette's drawing room - Petit Trianon

Temple of Love

view to Marlborough's Tower

I'll definitely be returning whenever I'm lucky enough to visit France again. It would be so nice to see the gardens in all their glory and hire a bike and picnic in the Queen's Hamlet. 

Paris in July hosted by Tamara @ Thyme for Tea

Also linking up with Paulita's Dreaming of France meme over at 

An Accidental Blog

Book Lover's Paradise - Shakespeare and Company Bookshop

After posting my review of The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George (isn't that fictional floating bookstore a book lover's dream?) how could I not follow up with photos of Paris's quaintest book store Shakespeare and Company. I love the history and character of this place and it was a highlight of my time in Paris.

The Story of Babar the little elephant is just one of the many books I purchased for my granddaughter, (and moi` lol) on my trip.  I also wanted Madeline but it was out of stock ... next time. 

"It’s a tradition in France to ink-stamp the title page of a new book with the bookseller’s hallmark. At Shakespeare and Company, the practice dates back to shop’s opening in 1951 and, before that, to Sylvia Beach’s bookstore on rue de l’Odéon. Elect to have your book inscribed with the official Shakespeare and Company stamp, and every time you open its pages, you’ll encounter a little reminder of its Parisian origins."

It's true ... each time I open Babar there's an extra special warm-fuzzy.

The intro by A.A Milne is sweet and funny and just perfect. 

"... If you love elephants you will love Babar and Celeste.  If you have never loved elephants you will love them now. If you who are a grown-up have never been fascinated by a picture-book before, then this is the one which will fascinate you. If you who are a child do not take these enchanting people to your heart; if you do not spend delightful hours making sure that no detail of their adventures has escaped you; then you deserve to wear gloves and be kept off wet grass for the rest of your life. 

I can say no more. I salute Monsieur de Brunhoff. I am at his feet." 

Do you have a favourite french-themed picture book?

I also love Shakespeare and Company's Message in a Bottle letterbox ... how magical to receive a note, poem or drawing tucked into the pages of the book you ordered ... from Paris to far flung book lovers across the globe. I wonder where my note ended up??

Paris in July hosted by Tamara @ Thyme for Tea

Also linking up with Paulita's Dreaming of France meme over at 

An Accidental Blog

Audiobook Review: The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

Title: The Little Paris Bookshop
Author: Nina George
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publication Date: 30th April 2015
Time: 12hrs 9mins
Narrator: Ray Sawyer
Book Source: own audio

Synopsis: Monsieur Perdu calls himself a literary apothecary. From his floating bookstore in a barge on the Seine, he prescribes novels for the hardships of life. Using his intuitive feel for the exact book a reader needs, Perdu mends broken hearts and souls. The only person he can't seem to heal through literature is himself; he's still haunted by heartbreak after his great love disappeared. She left him with only a letter, which he has never opened.

After Perdu is finally tempted to read the letter, he hauls anchor and departs on a mission to the south of France, hoping to make peace with his loss and discover the end of the story. Joined by a bestselling but blocked author and a lovelorn Italian chef, Perdu travels along the country’s rivers, dispensing his wisdom and his books, showing that the literary world can take the human soul on a journey to heal itself.

My Thoughts:

Paris and bookshop in the same title ... who could resist? Kathryn's wonderful review clinched the deal (head on over to Book Date to check it out) and I picked this one up on audio and enjoyed both the quirky nature of the story and characters. 

I love the philosophy of the healing power of books, so the idea of a literary apothecary is simply magical. 

" … A book is both medic and medicine at once. It makes a diagnosis as well as offering therapy. Putting the right novels to the appropriate ailments: that’s how I sell books.”

"I wanted to treat feelings that are not recognized as afflictions and are never diagnosed by doctors. All those little feelings and emotions no therapist is interested in, because they are apparently too minor and intangible. The feeling that washes over you when another summer nears its end. Or when you recognize that you haven't got your whole life left to find out where you belong. Or the slight sense of grief when a friendship doesn't develop as you thought, and you have to continue your search for a lifelong companion. Or those birthday morning blues. Nostalgia for the air of your childhood. Things like that." 

Perdu is such an interesting character; insightful and outspoken with others and yet surprisingly stupid blinkered with his own emotional well being. 

I fell in love with George's prose ... Perdu's journey from Paris to Provence along the waterways, dispensing wisdom and collecting travelling companions, the beautiful descriptions of French food and wine, the blooms and herbs, the countryside, the tango scene. I felt transported and immersed in the colour and fragrance of the region. 

I imagine, like Perdu's feelings regarding books “There are books that are suitable for a million people, others for only a hundred. There are even remedies—I mean books—that were written for one person only." this won't be a book for everyone, if you're after a succinct, fast paced read this may not be for you. It wanders off on tangents but for me the meandering, contemplative style was half the charm ... to be tasted, savoured and mulled over. 

At the end of the story there's descriptions of Provencal cuisine, produce specific to the region and a number of delicious Provencal recipes that had my mouth watering. And then there is "Jean Perdu's Emergency Literary Pharmacy" ... amusing and perceptive book recommendations to suit any number of ailments. 

Fast-acting medicines for minds and hearts affected by minor or moderate emotional turmoil.

To be taken in easily digestible doses (between five and fifty pages) unless otherwise indicated and if possible, with warm feet and/or with a cat on your lap.

Suggestions such as: 

Adams, Douglas. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: A Trilogy in Five Parts

Effective in large doses for treating pathological optimism or a sense of humor failure. Ideal for sauna goers with exhibitionist tendencies. 

Side effects: An aversion to owning things, and a potentially chronic tendency to wear a dressing gown all day.

Martin, George R.R. A Game of Thrones

Helps one to kick a TV habit and to cope with love sickness, the hassles of daily life and tedious dreams.

Side effects: insomnia, unsettling dreams.

Verdict: The Little Paris Bookshop is a charming look at life and death and everything in between. It's a "love letter to books" and a journey of self discovery in the autumn of one's life. 

PS. I thought Ray Sawyer did a great job with narration and I'd be happy to listen to him again.

Paris in July hosted by Tamara @ Thyme for Tea

Also linking up with Paulita's Dreaming of France meme over at 

An Accidental Blog

Love Affair with Paris

I've had a love affair going with Paris since I was a teenager, it's up there with Disneyland. Last year I had 3 too-short-days in Paris and I can't wait to return for an extended visit.

This week Tamara @ Thyme for Tea, host of Paris in July challenged us to post something about the character of Paris or France for that matter.   

That's what I can't wait to return for ... having time to explore the less touristy areas and really soak up all that is Paris. Paris is crack for photographers and foodies and that being two of my favourite things, I was in heaven.

*sigh* ... fave. I know it's touristy but seriously, carousel and the Eiffel tower, is there anything more romantic?

Gregory Renard's @ 120 Rue St. Dominique I found after a lot of walking. They have exceptional macarons for 1 euro each ...  nom nom. Now I wasn't a huge macaron fan until I ate macarons in Paris but I can now see the appeal. We also had macarons on our walking tour from the famous Pierre Hermé, very fancy schmancy. I will save macarons for Paris :) 

Mathilde M ... that gorgeous vintage, shabby chic, provincial style

this little garden right across the river from Notre Dame, can't remember the name but it's so pretty and very quiet in comparison to the business of the city. It's also a free wifi zone. 

We did the 3 hour Chocolate and Pastry walking tour through Viator. It was expensive but I'd highly recommend doing one if you're only in Paris for a short time ... you cover a lot of ground. Our tour guide Adeline was very knowledgable and friendly.

Poilâne in Saint Germain has been on my go-to list for a while and it just happened to be on our visit list. The sourdough loaf was yum yum yum and the croissant was pretty good too. Has anyone got a died-and-gone-to-heaven recommendation for bakeries/patisseries in Paris? For next time around ... I like to be prepared lol

I'm off to spend some time in France checking out everyone's posts ... the next best thing to actually being there. 

Paris in July hosted by Tamara @ Thyme for Tea

I'm also linking up with Paulita's Dreaming of France meme over at 

An Accidental Blog

Weekend Cooking is hosted by Beth Fish Reads and open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs.

It's Monday: Check-In Time

Linking up with The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer and It's Monday! What are You Reading? hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. In Sheila's absence, share your Monday post on twitter #IMWAYR. 

My granddaughter's 1st birthday was the big event here, a big family get-together celebrating Mia and the joy she has brought us. I can't believe how quickly the year has gone, I love being a nonna! We had family stay most of the week and with all the preparations and social stuff I needed an impromptu blog break to look after myself. 

I know it's disappointing when reviews aren't posted in a timely fashion, my apologies to those authors I had commitments with but I also know you are very understanding of the need for health and family to be top priority.

I'm participating in Paris in July again this year. My love affair with Paris continues and I hope to post photos and a couple of book reviews. Pop on over to Tamara @ Thyme for Tea and join in the fun.

#FitReaders Weekly Check-In

 

#FitReaders co-hosted by Felicia @ Geeky Bloggers Book Blog and Jen @ That’s What I’m Talking About. FitReaders is a great way to stay motivated, accountable and it's more fun having bloggy friends to check in with. If you also have a fitbit and want to add me, let me know :)  

Yay me, on target again this week. The combination of intentional exercise and the timer as a reminder to move for 5 mins each hour that I'm on the laptop is keeping me on track. And of course I'm in again for July!!

Fitbit Steps: 

Mon: 4252 steps 

Tue:  5868 steps  

Wed: 13,197 steps ~ walk

Thurs: 8032 steps ~ walk with Bella

Fri: 7853 steps

Sat: 9100 steps ~ walk with Bella and Mia

Sun:  9242 steps ~ strawberry picking  

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Reviews & Posts: (click on title)

THE COLOR OF OUR SKY by Amita Trasi ~ heart-achingly beautiful and excruciatingly painful.

THE GUEST COTTAGE by Nancy Thayer ~ I liked it

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Finished last week:

SIX DEGREES by Honey Brown ~ a complete departure from Honey Brown's usual but I really liked it. 

EIGHT HUNDRED GRAPES by Laura Dave ~ loved it!

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This Week's Reading List: 

HEART OF THE COUNTRY by Tricia Stringer ~ almost done. very enjoyable

 MY GRANDMOTHER ASKED ME TO TELL YOU SHE'S SORRY by Erik Backman

THE PRECIOUS ONE by Marisa de los Santos (audiobook)

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Reviews Coming: 

THE CANTERBURY SISTERS by Kim Wright 

THE WATER DIVINER by Andrew Anastasios and Meaghan Wilson-Anastasios (audiobook) ~ I bawled my eyes out! 

THE LITTLE PARIS BOOKSHOP by Nina George (audiobook) ~ enjoyable