|
|
Post by joan1 on Apr 30, 2008 2:54:58 GMT -5
Denise, I loved Antiona Frazers book ' Marie Antionette" , I have both the hard copy(a Christmas gift I recieved when it first came out) and a soft cover I found at a second hand book store( I prefer soft covers , easier to carry in purse, even though it is a hefty sized soft cover).
I would not say it is a particularily " light" read, I find books like this you really have to keep all the names and characters filed in your head,, there are alot,, so you actually have to pay a bit of attention while you read it,, but it is my favorite one .
I have read serveral books on Josephine that I quite enjoyed too, I 'll dig them up and see what they were , I tend to keep books I enjoyed alot.
|
|
grndma
Full Member
55 days to go, (7 weeks 5days 1hours 240minutes on 21st may 2008 08.05hrs)
Posts: 181
|
Post by grndma on Apr 30, 2008 10:55:12 GMT -5
;DThanks Joan, I have looked at That particular book today in Waterstones, it IS rather thick, I read a few pages and it seemed interesting and easy to read. I will probably buy it next.
The lady in the bookstore said to me today "is this a particular interest of yours?" because I keep going in to enquire about books related to Paris. I think that is the understatement of the year!!!! ;D ;D ;D
Denise
Love from England
|
|
|
|
Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Apr 30, 2008 11:03:15 GMT -5
LOL, I'm still trying to get through "Marie Antoinette" and keep putting it on hiatus for other things. It certainly is well written, but I find myself struggling because it seems that the author was unable to distinguish between important facts and minute details that (to me at least) distract from the main narrative line (partly because they are scattered throughout). But all that said, I'm still gradually making my way through it and I will eventually finish it (I just think is suffers somewhat in comparison to some of the biographies of comparable figures, such as Catherine de Medici or Phillipe duc d'Orleans (brother of the Sun King), that are written differently).
|
|
|
|
Post by Happygoin on Apr 30, 2008 11:28:54 GMT -5
I am surprised to find that I am completely absorbed in a biography of Winston Churchill. Can't remember the author at the moment. Churchill is presented in a favorable light in general, although the author isn't glamorizing him. What an interesting guy!
|
|
|
|
Post by Penny on Jun 18, 2008 12:54:16 GMT -5
Before I take this adorable little book (90 pages) back to the library I thought I would post a little about it.
"Confessions of a French Baker"
Peter Mayle and Gerard Auzet
This small book tells of Peter Mayle love of Chez Auzet, a boulangerie in Cavaillon. Gerald is a fourth generation baker.
Peter tours the bakery, helps make bread, getting up early to be there when the bakers start at 4 AM.
includes bread, food and wine pairings.
|
|
|
|
Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jun 18, 2008 13:00:35 GMT -5
I just finished "The Savage Garden" about an English scholar who is given an opportunity to study a garden in Italy that points to information about a death several centuries earlier. It's a quick read but very enjoyable.
|
|
|
|
Post by cigalechanta on Jun 18, 2008 14:25:33 GMT -5
Penny, after reading that book we went there and bought the bread for our picnic high above Cavaillion where there is a chapel.
I'm now rereading Mayle's Provence A-Z to get my fix as I won't be there this year.
|
|
|
|
Post by cybee on Jun 18, 2008 16:43:50 GMT -5
I am currently reading "Bananas" by Peter Chapman regarding" how the United Fruit Company shaped the world". Quite amazing...I did not know the power this company wielded nor many of the "banana" facts contained therein. Certainly not a lot of orts re Paris/France (ahem), but quite interesting especially as one gets further into the book.
|
|
|
|
Post by Laidback on Jun 18, 2008 16:55:42 GMT -5
Appropriately enough, I am reading Alexander Lobrano's new book Hungry For Paris, The Ultimate Guide to the City's 102 Best Restaurants.
|
|
|
|
Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jun 18, 2008 17:19:44 GMT -5
Forgot to mention, I've just started the third "Merde" book ("Merde Happens"), about a road trip in the US. So far there have been some good moments but it doesn't tickle me as much as the first two did.
|
|
|
|
Post by framboiseetrose on Jun 18, 2008 17:38:56 GMT -5
I am reading "Clotilde's Edible Adventures in Paris", "Hungry for Paris" and Pudlo's 2008-2009 France. This will show you that I have a one-tract mind right now.
But in between, I am crocheting a shawl and knitting a scarf for my youngest baby who is over 30 now for her birthday. I wanted to call her "Violette Sucreé" but she gave me a dirty look. Guess she's not ready to be introduced to this group.
|
|
|
|
Post by Happygoin on Jun 19, 2008 6:34:43 GMT -5
I have David Sedaris' new book When You're Engulfed in Flames and Hungry for Paris on reserve at the library. I wish they'd hurry up already...  |
|
|
|
Post by willow on Jun 19, 2008 9:05:03 GMT -5
I just picked up "The Art of French Kissing" which should be a fun summer read!
And since part of the story is in Paris...sigh...
|
|
|
|
Post by afds on Jun 25, 2008 8:56:28 GMT -5
I have just discovered this thread, it's fascinating. Denise, if you're still looking for light reads on Marie Antoinette, I can recommend "The Queen's Confession" by Victoria Holt. She specialised in gothic romance-type novels which I read avidly as a teenager, but I remember this one as being something I read again at a more mature stage and liked.
|
|
|
|
Post by Happygoin on Jun 25, 2008 10:01:30 GMT -5
Oh I used to love Victoria Holt when I was younger too! She must be about 130 years old by now. She seemed ANCIENT when I was a teenager...(although I suspect anyone over 35 seemed ancient to me then  ) |
|
|
|
Post by framboiseetrose on Jun 26, 2008 17:21:25 GMT -5
I just finished "Blackberry Wine" about an English writer who is haunted by his childhood summers in an old coal mining town - bought an old country house in France near the River Tannes. I was fascinated by this tale but I won't give it away......... Written by Joanne Harris of the Chocolat fame. (I had to take time out from reading all the restaurant reviews...........)
|
|
|
|
Post by Jody on Jun 28, 2008 8:12:30 GMT -5
I'm in a bit conflicted here! I'm reading Clotilde's Edible Adventures, Hungry for Paris, and SOUTH BEACH DIET SUPERCHARGED! I'd better finish all of them before we leave.
Plus I just ordered Joanne Harris' From My French Kitchen!
|
|
|
|
Post by annettecinca on Jun 28, 2008 8:28:01 GMT -5
Demarias, why are you torturing yourself?!!  You will find some good recipes in My French Kitchen that are South Beach adaptable, tho! Just ignore the pictures in the dessert section! |
|
|
|
Post by denise on Jul 5, 2008 2:29:24 GMT -5
T>>Denise, if you're still looking for light reads on Marie Antoinette, I can recommend "The Queen's Confession" by Victoria Holt.<< Thanks for this AFDS I also used to love Victoria Holt aka Jean Plaidy when I was young. A great way of learning history. I went to Waterstones to but it but it was out of stock. HOWEVER I did find a Douglas Kennedy book ( of Pursuit of happiness and A special relationship fame) who is also one of my favourites. title "The woman in the 5th" about a man who "runs away" to Paris afer his life falls apart...REALLY can't put it down. Although some of it is the seedier side of Paris I am just IN there.... ......not long now!!!! Denise love from England  |
|
|
|
Post by afds on Jul 5, 2008 8:08:19 GMT -5
One of my favourite Paris-related books is "The Blessing" by Nancy Mitford, a hilarious take on the marriage between a strait-laced Englishwoman and a charming Frenchman. You'll probably find the Holt book is out of print, but Amazon or ABE or Alibris could have it.
24 hours from now my flight will be taking off. I must remember to breathe ;-)
|
|
)
You will find some good recipes in My French Kitchen that are South Beach adaptable, tho! Just ignore the pictures in the dessert section! 
Let the riot begin! LOL - 
hahahha