Books make perfect gifts. Finding Gilbert won a Gold Award from the Society of American Travel Writers Western Chapter. Faculty at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, who judged the competition, wrote: “This is a gripping travel memoir of how childhood stories of World War II turn into a quest. A lot of travel is driven by the quest for answers–and this book fulfills that desire to find the truth in faraway places. This piece about a father’s love and fulfilling a promise to a French war orphan is well done, and a recommended read.” Order the book here.
TODAY'S WORD: LIRE
: to read
Click here to listen to the following sentence in French
Apprendre à lire, c'est allumer un feu, chaque syllabe qui est énoncé est une étincelle. To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.–Victor Hugo
Gift idea: There are many Kindle e-readers available, including a waterproof Kindle with twice the storage as well as an all-new Kindle Kids edition with access to 1000s of books.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
Not far from home, there is an old railroad track, un chemin de fer that has been converted into a beautiful botanical pathway with a variety of fruit trees waiting to be discovered: strawberry, fig, apple, almond, and pomegranate, among others still hidden….
The more I walk the path (these days with Mom, which is an added pleasure), the more we discover. Just last week all of the tree strawberries from the arbusier came out of hiding, revealing themselves via their deep red coats and the splashes of crimson they created on the ground where they fell, ripe for the taking.
Hidden in plain sight in the center of our city, if this edible path were a book it might be called Le Jardin Secret. Speaking of books….
I was out walking along this peaceful voie, when the sound of protest became louder and louder. Plus loin, I saw a young couple strolling with their toddler, who was having a colossal meltdown.
Je veux lire! Je veux lire! JE VEUX LIRRREEE! cried le bambin, as he pounded his feet against the concrete.
Have you ever witnessed such passion over the written word? One could only imagine which page-turning tome awaited him at home: Les Misérables?
Speaking of Victor Hugo, here is a bookish quote before we continue our shoe-stomping soliloquy:
To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.
Clearly that child's literary fire was lit, his face was red as the embers of… Dantés Inferno? We will never know which tale was calling him home, so I offered a thumbs up to the parents and walked on, wishing I had read more consistently to my children–instilled a story time to light their fire for la lecture. Now adults, they wish they had the reading bug, too. I tell them it's not too late! Ce n'est jamais trop tard! But these days, with smartphones, the internet and its endless feeds, it is harder and harder to settle down and read, to remain quiet and tuned in to a book, as people did in l'ancien temps.
I am reminded of a pleasant scene from childhood, which took place on a winter's day in Arizona. Sitting beside my mom in our tiny kitchen, the oven temperature set low, the door ajar, our feet rested on the warm oven door as Mom read a giant novel. Adding to the cozy atmosphere, was our dog, Benji, a long-haired mutt who dozed on the linoleum floor. I don't remember which book I was reading (if indeed I was reading and not daydreaming), but I like to think it was Jacques et Le Haricot Magique. That a little seed could grow big enough to reach the sky–and provide a leafy bridge from here to the heaven–is a story that fuels more than the imagination…. It lights a fire inside of me!
I am on my way out to the garden, now, to plant some more magical beans…. One can always dream.
Dear reader, what memories does reading evoke for you? And what was the last (or best) book you read? Let us know in the comments, below.
FRENCH VOCABULARY
lire = to read
un chemin de fer = railroad, railway
la voie = path, way, lane
arbusier = arbutus unedo, arbutus tree
plus loin = farther ahead
le bambin = toddler
la lecture = reading
l'ancien temps = olden days
Jacques et le haricot magique = Jack and the Beanstalk
Eight Months in Provence. For anyone who has ever dreamed of living in France, here is an inspiring book that shows it is never too late! Order it here.
I leave you with a picture of Smokey, in the wild garden we tended together. This picture is from the archives post Most Difficult French Words to Pronounce.
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I have no idea why I am up at 3am but I am. I just finished “Where the Crawdads Sing” which was excellent. However, if you want to read an inspirational life book , try “The Art of Racing in the Rain” I know, people are going to say a story being told by a Golden Retreiver, but there is so much to learn about yourself from reading this book. Sad, beautiful, uplifting and message sending. Now back to bed.
I have just got a book called Magnificent Women and Their Revolutionary Machines by Henrietta Heald. It’s about how women played a role in male dominated engineering in the 20th century. ISBN 978-1-78352-660-4. It is a very new publication.
Two books that I read in late July, early August have impacted me greatly….
Hochschild….Bury the chains
Addison…A walk across the sun
Each deals with slavery….different types in different times.
Educated by Tara Westover is a great memoir. I read it last year and still think about it.
Currently reading “A Bite-sized History of France- Gastronomic Tales of Revolution, Was, and Enlightenment” by Stephan Henaut & Jeni Mitchell for our Book Group. It is a fabulous book which covers the history of France as it is related to regional dishes and foods (how certain foods gained popularity in certain regions, how history shaped French eating habits, etc.). It’s a marvelous history and perfect for foodies! I highly recommend it to all Francophiles (and anyone else too!) xoN
Lovely post. Merci. My favorite childhood book was the Secret Garden..that and Little Women. Will reflect on recent reads…
The power and gifts that books provide in transporting us to far away places and adventures for the mind, heart and spirit…truly transformative.
Bon weekend.
Two novels I read recently for fun and was enthralled by both: “A Gentleman in Moscow” and “Whiskey When We’re Dry”. In my Classics Book Club we are reading a collection of Steinbeck’s short stories, “The Long Valley” which is especially nice if you are familiar with the Salinas Valley and the Monterey Peninsula in California. This year we also read “House of Mirth” , “Dead Souls”, “Sportsmen’s Sketches”, and “Independent People”
I’ve read a number of books about World WarII. They were all set in France. My latest read was Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave. The setting is England & Malta. Cleave is a marvelous writer who creates memorable characters. Highly recommended!
I have just read Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking – very timely for me and full of recognition.
The funniest book I’ve read recently is Headlong by Michael Frayn. As a child I also loved The Secret Garden, Little Women, and The Island of Blue Dolphins. I read Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson to my son when he was a child. One of my favorite mystery writers is Donna Leon. I recently read David McCollough’s The Pioneers and plan to read more history and non-fiction as a result. One of my favorite poems is Cats by T.S. Elliot. At university I read Alain-Robbe Grillet’s La Jalousie and never recovered from that novel which gave me a lifelong fascination with French literature and film. My favorite blog is French Word A Day by Kristin Espinasse.
I’m currently reading the Overstory by Richard Powers. Beautiful writing all around the theme of trees and the characters stories with them. These little short stories are starting to intertwine…not finished yet, but highly recommend!
I might be a bit biased, but I think that my book is a great read… “PuppyLove”
A fun little story as you follow a dog and her owner through their adventures in New York and Paris! 🙂
Loved, loved The Overstory by Richard Powers. It is about the power of trees. You would love it!
Anything by Bill Bryson is well worth reading. My absolute favorite is “Notes from a Small Island” which recounts his travels around Britain using public transport. It is absolutely the funniest book I have ever read.
Thanks, Joanne. 💕
I have Dyslexia and struggled all through school with reading and writing till I met my wife to be. Gill had more patience than anyone I have ever known. She spent hundreds of hours, night after night, giving me the great gift of fluency in reading. Something school failed to do. In our 58 years of marriage it proved to be the greatest gift I have ever received.
I’m not much of a reader, but 2 books that stand out are “Letters of E.B. White” and “Surely You’re Joking Mr. Feynman”.
But since its inception, my absolute favorite reading has been (thank you Joanne) “French Word A Day”, which has had a powerful, positive impact on my life (thank you Kristin).
Our dear Kristi,
Once again your excellent post(s)have reached out and wrapped themselves around our hearts.
I have always been an avid reader,and now,your encouragement will fuel the fire to others who want to enjoy the magic of the written word.
When I need to retreat into my jardin secret,my most treasured volumes are anything by James Herriot.Just never get sick of them even though they have accompanied me on too many times to count.
Thank you for helping me to recall these pleasant memories.
Love
Natalia. Xo
I am a homeschooling mom and love young adult fiction. One of the best, The Story of Rolf and the Viking Bow, by Allen French, is everything an old Norse-like tale should be, but ends with forgiveness. A great read.
A most recent good story is The Book Thief which actually translated well into a film.
Anyone whose native language is English and who is trying to learn French will laugh out loud at David Sedaris’s “Me Talk Pretty One Day.” Priceless!
In the category of political thrillers, I love “The Paris Plot,” a recent novel by Joseph Aragon. It’s an exciting adventure with a female Secret Service agent tasked with saving the life of the American president when he is targeted by rogue special forces in France. Lots of exciting action, political intrigue and romance in, around and underground in the city of Paris! (Full disclosure, the author is my husband, but it is an excellent quick read – five stars on Amazon and a great Kirkus review).
And I must also say that I so moved by the non-fiction memoir that you and Jean-Marc are writing together, “The Lost Gardens.” Everyone should read it to learn more about meeting life’s challenges and how lifelong love evolves.
I should clarify that “The Paris Plot” is about a fictional “good” American president!
Thank you, Ellen!
I just read How Green Was My Valley by Richard Llewellyn. Beautifully written story of a young man’s coming of age and changes in the coal mining valleys of Wales. I’m trying to catch up with those books written yesteryear as well as current literature. Worth sitting down with this book.
Thank you so much, Sharon. 💕
Jerry, Thank you for sharing about Gill. What a gift indeed. 💕
I would like to recommend two books by Michael S. Sanders, an American journalist who has focused on the Cahors area in SW France. His young family lived in a small village for a year so he could write the story of a young couple’s restaurant and the ancient village it brought back to life: From Here, You Can’t See Paris. You get to really know the villagers and understand the impact of history, economics and culture on their daily lives not to mention lots of details about menus and cooking. He followed that with Families of the Vine, more about village life but from the point of view of three winemaking families. I have learned very much about grape growing, wine making, and in particular how Cahors is unique in France. I am off to buy a bottle of Cahors from my local wine merchant to enjoy with a winter stew sometime soon.
Being a third generation to the Salinas/Monterey area, Steinbeck has always been up there. His favorite of mine is a collection of short stories “The Pastures of Heaven”. I just found out that a book he wrote in France has been translated into English for the first time (July 2019). “The Ambiable Flea” about a French chef and his cat.
Our book group has just finished reading and discussing THE SOUL OF AN OCTOPUS by Sy Montgomery. I knew nothing about these amazing creatures. They are intelligent, playful, and have distinct personalities. This book made me see their world and their connection with us. A truly amazing Read.
My memories of reading – I grew up in my maternal grandparents’ household. My grandfather was not a reader, except the newspaper, he was a farmer and ran a landscaping business, trees and all and spent his time outside. When I got to be in 5th grade, the reading bug bit me and we had reading hour each day. We were allowed to check out 1 or 2 books for reading hour. I loved reading hour! A little girl during lunch whispered to me that she took the books home in her notebook each night to finish reading them. So, I started sneaking them home too and reading in bed with a flashlight. I became an avid reader and was soon in competition with other little girls to see who could read the thickest book. I even took to climbing up on the roof and reading in the shade up there, hoping no one would move the ladder I used to get up there!
Wonderful story! Thanks, Marcia.
For those of you who are familiar with “The Andromeda Strain,” there is now a sequel by a contemporary author. (Michael Crichton died in 2008.) It is FANTASTIC!!! I read it in only three days because I chose to SLEEP instead of staying up all night!!! The title is “The Andromeda Evolution.”
Since you asked about a fond childhood memory, one of mine was when I was four years old and my mother read to me my favorite book, The Chirkendoose. The main character was an ugly blend of all the barnyard birds who had inadvertently sat upon his egg before its hatching. Because of his strange appearance, the poor little bird took much flack and rejection from everyone. However, when a sly fox raided the farm one night, the Chirkendoose presented his weird-looking visage, which terrified the fox and saved the day. He was now a hero! Of course, at the end of each reading from my patient mother, I would gleefully demand, “Read it again!” I remember how she would laugh and say, “But I just read it!” and how I couldn’t see why we shouldn’t continue such a delightful experience all afternoon. Having my busy mommy all to myself was a real treasure! – Janet
“A Fine Balance”. By an Indian writer, name slipped my mind. Unforgettable.
I just finished reading The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott, a novel based on the true story of the CIA plot to smuggle published copies of the book, Doctor Zhivago, into Soviet Russia after Russia refused to print it. Told from the POV of Agency typists turned spies, and the woman who Boris Pasternak (Zhivago’s author) had a long-term affair. Now I MUST read my mother’s copy of Doctor Zhivago! I have good intentions to read it every winter (a love story and all that snow!), but – like in Arizona – winter flies by in a matter of days here in Florida.
I’m currently reading Heartland, a memoir by Sarah Smarsh that includes her research into class in America. People who appreciated Educated seem to also appreciate Heartland. (I’ve read both.)
I’d also recommend The History of Love by Nicole Krauss.
No need to reply, Kristi. I never seem to have the time to revisit the old blog posts once I’ve read them, and I’d hate to miss a reply if you did! I’ll catch you on Instagram and here in my mail box, though!
When I asked myself your question, the book which immediately came to mind was “The Princess and Curdie”, 1927, by George MacDonald, with beautiful, colored, illustrations. And close after that, The Little Colonel series, Nancy Drew, and later Dorothy Sayers’ Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries (reading through them the third time right now). Mom used to sit in the hallway, outside our darkened bedrooms, and read books she liked: the real Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass, Wind in the Willows, etc. but also adult books like Scottish Chiefs, and others.
For several years both my husband and I have read one or two books per year by Louise Penney. We’re almost finished with the complete series. They are SO wonderful. Taking place in French Canada there are French words and foods as part of the wonderful plots.
Thank you all for many wonderful new reads for me. I would like to suggest all of Willa Cather especially “Death comes for the Bishop” Also just re-read “Robinson Caruso”
Just finished “Educated” and “A Man Called Ove” and they both gave me pause to think about how we see something from our perspective, however that may not be the whole perspective.
Hi Joie:
I loved “The Art of Racing…” One of our three dogs died on Sunday at home, and I was thinking about that book.
Hi Lauren I LOVE the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penney. I think each one is better than the last. I have a big crush on Gamache, and his devotion to his wife Reine-Marie only makes him more admirable.
I’m amazed at the number of “favorites” mentioned that I have read and agree how good they are. I’d also like to suggest the “Inspector Monk” series by Anne Perry set in Victorian England, the “Inspector Gamache” series by Louise Penney set in the environs of Montreal, and the “Maisie Dobbs” series by Jaqueline Winspeare that begins in WW I, and moves through the 1920s and 1930s, the most recent during the London Blitz.
The books that have touched me the most have been “Little Women” “Le Petit Prince” and Les Miserables.
Dear Kristi,
How people become passionate readers is a bit of a mystery to me. My parents didn’t read much to me but at age ten I became a book lover and lifelong reader. True, my father had a large library and I often saw him reading.
When my children were very young I read to them several times a day (best way for me to get a little rest!) and I read to them at bedtime until age 9 or ten. None of them became passionate about reading although they loved it as children. I remember my first born, at 18 months coming to me with a big Richard Scarry book and demanding « Read! »
Recently I read « The Dutch House » by Ann Patchett and « Paris in the Present Tense » by Mark Helprin. I loved them both and highly recommend them.
Happy reading !
Ana
Thank you, Ana. This is heartening. 💕
My favorite book is Harper Lee’s “To Kill A Mockingbird.” So many truths and such beautiful prose. Passages such as “Neighbors bring food with death and flowers with sickness and little things in between. Boo was our neighbor. He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch and chain, a pair of good-luck pennies, and our lives. But neighbors give in return. We never put back into the tree what we took out of it: we had given him nothing, and it made me sad.”Lines like this have always stuck with me. As an aside, my daughter’s first words as she waddled up to us with a book in her hand was “read”.
Great suggestion! I just read it while vacationing in France.
Richard Feynman was a true gift to physics and to readers. By all means, read “Surely . . .”
The author is Rohinton Mistry. This is sometimes a difficult book to read, not because of the writing (which is beautiful) but because of the brutally harsh life of the characters depicted in the novel.
Some of my favorites:
“The Woman Upstairs” by Claire Messud
“The Signature of All Things” by Elizabeth Gilbert
“State of Wonder” by Ann Patchett
“Cloud Atlas” by David Mitchell
I love books that are not contrived, with endings that are not predictable but feel inevitable. These four made the cut!
I’ve enjoyed both of those books!
I read this last summer and I agree!