July 3, 2012

Paris in July 2012




Overly ambitious? Moi?

I missed this fun challenge last year (oops, I just discovered this is the third year!), but I have high hopes to read several of these books in the coming weeks. The bottom three are art books, which I've owned for many years. I'll just peruse those. I've tried a few recipes in the Julia and Jacques cookbook and have others marked to sample. Oh, and I may watch Amelie, Julie and Julia and French Kiss. I love these films and never grow tired of watching  them.

Thank you, Karen and Tamara for hosting such an exciting challenge!


Here are the official "rules":

There will be no rules or targets in terms of how much you need to do or complete in order to be a part of Paris in July - just blog about anything French and you can join in.

Some ideas for the month might include:

Reading a French book - fiction or non-fiction -

Watching a French movie -

Listening to French music -

Cooking French food -

Experiencing French art, architecture or travel (or remembering travel experiences) -

Or anything else French inspired you can think of...
Click on the photo for a larger view.

27 comments:

  1. Have fun with the challenge!

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    1. I am, so far! I'm going to try to do a weekly recap. We'll see how that goes. I'm just now getting to all my blog comments with replies. I am so far behind!!

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  2. I'd put Paris in Love at the top. It was a wonderful summer read for me, the kind of book you can read in little pieces.

    Thanks for the movie recommendations. I've just added these to my queue.

    Enjoy this month, Les!

    Here's my
    Paris in July post.
    Please stop by and leave a link to your Paris in July post(s) so that I can stop by and say hello now and then this month.

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    1. *nods* Paris in Love is fun. I like Paris Was Ours, also (an Algonquin book of writings about Paris).

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    2. Deb, I'll stop by with a link once I post my weekly update. So far, I'm having fun. I really want to get to Paris in Love since I've heard such good things about it. Tout Sweet is only "ok" so far... I also want to read Le Road Trip after seeing it reviewed on JoAnn's blog. Looks like a lovely book!

      Nancy, thanks for the added push toward Paris in Love. It's next up as soon as I finish Tout Sweet. I'll check out Paris Was Ours, too.

      Merci!

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  3. I loved tout sweet and of course anything to do with Julia Childs is a must read. Have you tried any of Cara Black's mysteries?

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    1. I'm only about one-third of the way into Tout Sweet and while it's ok, it's not knocking my socks off. I'm anxious to move on to Paris in Love, so maybe I'm just distracted.

      I have not read any of Cara Black's mysteries, but I've glanced at them while shelving at work. Do you have a recommendation to start with?

      Thank you for visiting my blog. I've perused (and bookmarked) yours and am thrilled to see all the beautiful places you've visited. Your photographs are gorgeous! I've never been to France, but it's on my list. I'll be sure to read through your archives for more ideas!

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  4. I like the challenge because apart from the books, I am getting to see fabulous pictures of Paris!

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    1. I agree! I've never been to Paris (or anywhere in France), but I'm tucking away ideas for a future visit.

      Thanks for visiting my blog!

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  5. I'm in too! And I have all those movies, and love them, and may just watch them this month! I love all the possibilities of Paris in July.

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    1. This is a fun challenge! I'm glad you've joined in, too. I've listened to a couple of cds and have a French movie to watch tonight. Hmmm, maybe I'll make something for dessert from the J&J cookbook... I love all the possibilities, too. :)

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  6. Ok, but don't forget Midnight in Paris. I could watch it again and again. I've already found some great books set in France that I hadn't heard of before. Here's Mine

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    1. We watched Midnight in Paris a few weeks ago. I suppose I could include it... ;)

      Thanks for stopping by. I've perused your blog and will return to read your list once I've caught up on my emails. I need more hours in my day!

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  7. I definitely agree that those are all great movies :) Good luck with your reading list!

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    1. Thanks, Kelly! I see you just reviewed Paris in Love. I'll be back to read your review once I've had a chance to read the book myself. It's next on my list!

      Like you, I hope to get to France sometime soon. I've only been to England and Italy and France have been on my list for years. Time to remedy that!

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  8. First, I LOVE your header! Second, have fun!!!

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    1. Thanks, Kelly. I've since changed my header, but appreciate your enthusiastic comment. ;)

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  9. I thought we were going to Italy and started reading about it, but then we bought a house (or, actually, are about to finish doing so) and I quit reading them. And, then I thought we might get to go to France because of a conference so I started setting aside books about France but hubby said, "That's not happening." Haha. I think I'll skip reading French stories, for now, real or imaginary. Have fun! I might have to join in on this next year, when the idea of traveling the world doesn't seem quite so far away.

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    1. I really think you and I (and whomever else wants to join us -- Bellezza, are you listening?) should plan a few trips. One to Italy for 10-14 days and another to France for the same amount of time. Then on to Canada, California, New Mexico, etc. Our husbands won't mind, will they? ;)

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  10. It's a wonderful stack and not overly ambitious at all (especially since in this heat? Can one ever venture outside after dawn?)!

    I bet you'll cook some yummy French things, too...

    I've ordered Paris In Color from Nichole of Little Brown Pen; I like art and photography, too, especially when it relates to France. Or, Italia!

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    1. We'll see how I do. I'm trying to enjoy Tout Sweet, but so far I can only despise her friend, Dave. I should be out biking now that it's cooling off somewhat, but my back deck is calling to me. I think I'll do something I never do and turn off the computer, ignore the weeds, forego the grocery trip, and head out with my book and a glass of iced tea and READ!

      Paris in Color looks lovely! I'll be anxious to see what you share from the inside pages.

      Be sure to read my reply above to Nancy... ;)

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  11. I LOVE how many of the books are either food related or have foodie titles. After loving Elegance of the Hedgehog I've been very curious about Gourmet Rhapsody. I hope it's one of the ones that you can get to from the stack! Would love to join you but between The Stand and book clubs I'm all booked out...

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    1. I hope I can get to Gourmet Rhapsody, too. Actually, I hope to read everything from my list, if not in July, at least this year. I've had some of these books for quite some time...

      Ah, The Stand. I'm still pluggin' away. I'm only on p. 138. Only a thousand pages to go! ;)

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  12. I am going to add some of these to my TBR list.

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    1. I'm still on my first selection (Tout Sweet), but hope to make some progress with it today. I'm quite anxious to move on to Paris in Love and The Tenth Muse: My Life in Food.

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  13. I will be participating next year for sure!!!!! Your stack looks great and there's a few I want to read!

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    1. It's a very nice stack. It's too bad I'm not reading more quickly, though. I'm still on my first book! :(

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