Love in Provence

I just finished reading Love in Provence by Yvone Lenard. This is the second book of hers that I've read.

Although thoroughly enjoyable, it did not make me want to rush out and plan a trip to France. The book is a collection of personal essays (in the form of chapters, but each could be taken independently) about the year she spent chaperoning college students during their time abroad. There were many amusing stories about the kids and a few historical tidbits about the country.

She included recipes (although each of them stressed light or low-fat, which just served to irritate me) and advice on travel destinations in the region for romantic experiences.

I would recommend the book for a light-hearted and fun read but not necessarily for a close look into the culture and countryside of Provence.

My Life in France

I am about two thirds of the way through My Life in France by Julia Child.

Before starting the book, my knowledge of Julia Child was limited to the occasional pause on PBS during one of her cooking shows to listen to her very unique voice. And the commonly referred to tendency she had for using alcohol in the cooking process (whether this is true or not I can't say).

The book is excellent. It is well written and interesting, with enough humor and personal details to balance the cooking portions perfectly. I am not inclined towards cooking myself but I find it is a subject that appeals to me in print.

So far she's taken us through living in Paris and Marseilles. Now they are based in Germany and she's hard at work on writing her first cookbook. I didn't expect, but have enjoyed, her opinions on American politics or her war experiences. It's amazing how different life was just a half century ago.

One thing is for sure, I would love to be eating along side her as she feasts on all the French cuisine.

My Travel Shelf

Inspired by Rev. Dr. Mom, here's my shelf of travel narratives (although I don't think that's the best label for the genre, as most of the writers are not travelling but living in a foreign country). This collection gets prime shelf location.

Paris 1982

Grandpa Joe & Grandma Margaret

France

At Home in France by Ann Barry
My Life in France by Julia Child
A Castle in the Backyard by Betsy Draine & Michael Hinden
The Olive Farm,
The Olive Season,
The Illustrated Olive Farm by Carol Drinkwater
French Spirits by Jeffrey Greene
On Rue Tatin by Susan Herrmann Loomis
The Magic of Provence,
Love in Provence by Yvone Lenard
A Year in Provence,
Toujours Provence,
Encore Provence by Peter Mayle
A Farmhouse in Provence by Mary Roblee Henry
From Here, You Can't See Paris by Michael S. Sanders
Instructions for Visitors by Helen Stevenson
Almost French by Sarah Turnbull