The Librarian

In my last post, I commented on the plethora of books about antipodean renovating adventures in France. I think, despite my never-ceasing love of all things french, my interest in books chronicling other people's experiences was starting to wane.  And then this amazing book arrived at the library for me - My Heart Wanders by Pia Jane Bijkerk. It's soooo beautiful. I read it over a couple of nights, (despite its size and weight I couldn't put it down), and now I can't stop thinking about it.  Pia, a successful interior stylist and blogger , takes a brave step into the unknown when she gives up her life in Australia to follow her heart to Paris, and then on to a houseboat in Amsterdam.  It is such a tender, heartfelt memoir. It has the feel of a personal journal, enhanced by a wonderfully crafted dynamic: the reader joins her on her journey, and watches as her new love, new life, and career beautifully unfold.  Not only is it an insp...

I should get this out in the open...I'm what they call a 'francophile'. It sounds a bit dinosaury but it's not. It's just that I'm mad on France. Anything French. The scenery, the language, the food, all those little churchy churches - I just love it all. So, I will pick up any book that promises a bit of a window into French life. I'm here to tell you there have been a few...but I have my favourites, and today I'm going share them with you, because even if you're not dinosaury-french-mad, I think you'll enjoy these books. My Life in France by Julia Child was definitely my 'book of the year' last year, because as well as being set in my fave part of the world, Julia Child is one inspiring woman! And such a nice love story too. It's a goodie. Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard is a light memoir written by an American girl who fell in love with a French boy and lived with him in Paris. This wasn't my all-time fave, but it wa...