Paperback Reader

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Permalink Reply by Leigh on August 8, 2008 at 9:21am

Two books about the inspiration of art and culture that i like are Cather's The Song of the Lark and Sijie's Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress. For me Mary Oliver's poems invite the soul to journey, e.g., her poems "The Journey" and "wild Geese".

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Permalink Reply by Lotta Rao on August 8, 2008 at 9:28am

Oh this is great! Thanks so much for joining the discussion. I'm thinking we should set up a list of recommended books so I will get to work on that. I'll add my ideas to that list too. I really enjoyed Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, too. I've not read Mary Oliver's poems but you've made me want to look into them. I'm always inspired by Louise Gluck's poetry and think I could re-read The Wild Iris a thousand times without feeling like I'd stopped exploring its meanings and layers.

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Permalink Reply by Leigh on August 8, 2008 at 3:50pm

How nice you are there. Sometimes my reading feels like it exists in a bubble despite joining as many book groups as I am welcomed into.

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Permalink Reply by Eleanor - 'El' on August 8, 2008 at 2:01pm

Hi Lotta,
Moments ago, I scrolled through my personal library list of books I've read. My goal was to locate those that were set in Paris and/or about Paris. Only two books were found, although I recall reading prior to our trip, several Fictional books that were set in France. Of the two titles I located, one focused on Paris of the past, and one on the present day. An Untourist had recommended David Downie's (2005) Paris, Paris -- Journey into the City of Lights (soft - $12.89 -- Amazon.com). This provided insight into Paris of today. Nancy Mitford's Madame de Pompadour provided an in depth history of the times surrounding Louis XV's reign. A friend had loaned me his 1954 hardcover edition. I checked on Amazon.com, and found a soft copy for $10.36. I had no idea of Madame de Pompadour's strong influence, as well as her being so instrumental to Paris having some of its art and architecture that many admire today. Both of these would be good to read prior to your trip.

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Permalink Reply by Lotta Rao on August 11, 2008 at 3:25pm

Hi El! Thanks for joining the discussion. I added your recommendations to the newly created book list. Just click on the titles and you'll be redirected to Amazon if any of the books sound tempting..

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Permalink Reply by sue schregel on August 14, 2008 at 8:53am

I am reading another specific to Paris,. It is fictional but addresses a lot of contemporary cultural issues. "La Divorce" by Diane Johnson is a fun and insightful account of an American ex-pat and her family and a French family - all of whom are in love in and with Paris.

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Permalink Reply by Lotta Rao on August 14, 2008 at 9:08am

Oh my gosh Sue, I adore this book! The first time I read it was when I lived in Paris, and my friend's mom sent it to us to read. When I first saw the book I was actually doubtful--I was afraid it was going to be silly and annoying. I was soon sucked in. A couple of years ago, the same friend sent me a copy of Le Divorce. I was so offended. Had she forgotten that we had read the book together years before? I opened the front page and there in Diane Johnson's handwriting it said, "Hurry back, Lotta. Love, Diane." I've since re-read the book a few times. I continue to marvel at her cultural insights and her descriptions of Paris. A great read for anyone headed to France.

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Permalink Reply by sue schregel on August 14, 2008 at 9:11am

Since we seem to have similar reading taste, do you have a Provence favorite? We are headed there next Spring and I would welcome suggested readings.

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Permalink Reply by Lotta Rao on August 14, 2008 at 3:44pm

I've really only read cookbooks from Provence and Peter Mayle's books. I have to think on this just to make sure...Any one else have any recommendations?

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Permalink Reply by Leigh on August 8, 2008 at 3:48pm

Perhaps more directly relevant to Untours venues, my traveling friends and I read two books backdropped by Venice, City of Falling Angels by J. Berendt and A Venetian Affair by Andrea DiRibilant. My males friends loved the former and its main character, the Fenice Opera House. I was taken by the latter which is about an affair in the 18th century and highlights the issues of class and of the relative dependence of women. In the latter book, Casanova plays a redeeming role! I was also intrigued by the author's report that the story evolves from letters he found. One commentary calls the account torrid and I would say that some might say it was a bit bawdy in pages.

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Permalink Reply by Doris M on August 8, 2008 at 5:31pm

Lotta, I'm so glad you've started a forum for books. I just recently found a new book at the library that I found fascinating and that might appeal to all the Untour Paris lovers out there. It's We've Always Had Paris - and Provence co-written by the noted French food writer Patricia Wells and her husband Walter. It is an interesting and sometimes humorous accounting of their decision to move to Paris and all the experiences they've had there since. Food plays a major role but the flavor of their early life in Paris is the main attraction. For lovers of Provence, that enters the picture later too!

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Permalink Reply by Lotta Rao on August 11, 2008 at 3:48pm

Doris,

Thanks for joining the discussion! I added your recommendations to the list above. I hope we just keep adding to this list. It could be a great resource for all of us...who knowns maybe eventually we'll start a virtual travel book club!

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