Showing posts with label Nina George. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nina George. Show all posts

Monday, October 24, 2016

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

The Little Paris Bookshop
by Nina George
narrated by Steve West, Emma Bering and Cassandra Campbell

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
Publisher
BookExcerpt
Website
Facebook
Twitter @nina_george

Published: 2015
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Genre: Contemporary, France
Paperback: 368 pages
Rating: 4

First sentence:
How on earth could I have let them talk me into it?
The two general of number 27 Rue Montagnard—Madame Bernard, the owner, and Madame Rosalette, the concierge—had caught Monsieur in a pincer movement between their ground-floor flats.

The international bestseller, translated from the German by Simon Pare. On a beautifully restored barge on the Seine, Jean Perdu runs a bookshop; or rather a 'literary apothecary', for this bookseller possesses a rare gift for sensing which books will soothe the troubled souls of his customers.

The only person he is unable to cure, it seems, is himself. He has nursed a broken heart ever since the night, twenty-one years ago, when the love of his life fled Paris, leaving behind a handwritten letter that he has never dared read. His memories and his love have been gathering dust - until now. The arrival of an enigmatic new neighbour in his eccentric apartment building on Rue Montagnard inspires Jean to unlock his heart, unmoor the floating bookshop and set off for Provence, in search of the past and his beloved.


My two-bits:

A story of love and loss and love in Paris.

There is a road trip feel to this story (via boat) with each port of call that introduces characters and their individual stories of love and relationships.

Loved the concept of prescribing books for emotional ailments.

Also, loved the idea of a floating bookshop. Actually, there is a book barge in the U.K. that is currently floating around and selling books (here). It would be fun to visit someday...

About the author:
Nina George works as a journalist, writer, and storytelling teacher. She is the award winning author of 26 books, and also writes feature articles, short stories, and columns.

The Little Paris Bookshop spent over a year on bestseller lists in Germany, and was a bestseller in Italy, Poland, and the Netherlands. George is married to the writer Jens J. Kramer and lives in Hamburg and in Brittany, France.

--~ Book Giveaway ~--

WIN my review copy of this book!

Open to all.

Offer ends: October 31, 2016

TO DO:

TELL me the name and location of your favorite local book shop.

AND, leave your email.

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Contest has ended - (winner is here)

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* review copy courtesy of Blogging for Books

* part of Audiobook Challenge

* part of October Paris virtual book event (schedule)

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Dewey's Readathon: October 2015

Dewey's 24 hour Readathon
October 17, 2015 (details)

Pre-Dewey post with reading list (here)
Dewey post pt 2: Hours 13-24 and Wrap-Up (here)

HOUR 1: 5am PDT (start time)
Got up 5 minutes before the alarm and read in bed for about 20 minutes. Then finished up a solo game of Words with Friends that I started last night.

HOUR 2: 6am

Made breakfast and went to check out the Dewey site.

Read some history about Dewey (The Hidden Side of the Leaf – Dewey’s archived blog).

INTRO SURVEY says:

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? --> California
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? --> Illuminae
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? --> chips
4) Tell us a little something about yourself! --> Recently became an empty nest-er, as my daughter went off to college last month. So, immersing myself in books and movies these days.
5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to? --> I participated back in 2009 and found that I really like the interaction bit with the read-a-thon. So, I will not push to hard on getting a high reading page count.

Started reading...

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Amazon | Goodreads

Mini Challenge: Cover Escape! (here)

Doon (book 1) by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon
Amazon | Goodreads

HOUR 3: 7am
Updated blog. Checked email. Worked on mini-challenges. Read.

Mini Challenge: Diversity Shelfie (here)

The Red Sheet by Mia Kerick
Amazon | Goodreads | my review
=====> Loved the superhero theme used to drive the main character throughout this coming of age (closet) story.

HOUR 4: 8am
Caught up on mini-challenges. Read.

Mini Challenge: Kids Challenge (here)

Little Miss Austen: Pride & Prejudice by Jennifer Adams
Amazon | Goodreads
Little Miss Austen: Sense & Sensibility by Jennifer Adams
Amazon | Goodreads
=====> Never too early to introduce the amazing Jane Austen!

HOUR 5: 9am
Visit fellow read-a-thon-ers. Read.

Mini Challenge: Goodreads Road Trip (here)

=====> My postcard entry:
Hey Sweetie,
I am currently on a wild truck ride with Kady and Ezra (of Illuminae). They just broke up so tensions are strained and it feels awkward. But, I am having a great time getting to know these two and look forward to where they take me in the next 24 hours. I might be going into outer space.
See you soon.
--vvb

HOUR 6: 10am
Went to the gym and read while cycling. Picked up a sandwich, chips, slice of cheesecake and small mocha at the deli.

Mini Challenge: Power of Love (here)

Describe how a book (or books) have made you fall in love with them.

Flowers in the Attic (Dollanganger series) by V.C. Andrews
Amazon | Goodreads | my review
=====> This is the ONE that hooked me to reading. It was a book I found in the library in the adult section of the library. At the time I was a tween. What got me first was the super cool keyhole cover on the paperback version. And then, the story about the forbidden.

Funny thing to note: my blog started because of a V.C. Andrews reading challenge post I came across.

Mini-Challenge: Top 10 list of something that has to do with the read-a-thon (here)

1. READ
2. Change reading seat location
3. Do mini challenges
4. Visit fellow read-a-thon-ers
5. Eat and drink favorites
6. Take a short walk outside
7. Watch/listen to a couple of the Dewey youtube videos shared
8. Take a quick nap
9. Take a shower or freshen up
10. Continue to READ

HOUR 7: 11am
Back home and lunching while catching up on reading fellow read-a-thon-er posts. And then, back to reading.

Mini Challenge: Halloween Prepartion (here)

Night Film
by Marisha Pessl
-Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Amazon | Goodreads
=====> I plan to crack this one open this Halloween season. Been wanting to read it since last year.

HOUR 8: 12pm
Worked on tweaking this post.
Still reading Illuminae and loving it.

Mini Challenge: Armchair Traveling (here)

I would like to travel to Paris of this book and definitely visit book and chocolate shops.
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
Amazon | Goodreads

HOUR 9: 1pm
Seems like the time is flying by.
Working on more mini-challenges and then back to reading.

Mini Challenge: Book Scavenger Hunt List (here)

from: Illuminae by Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
1. Something hard - Battlecarrier Alexander - 78V
2. Something fast - Kady Grant and her mad survival skills
3. Something sweet - Ezra Mason and his soft spot for Kady
4. Something high - Hypatia -a long range scientific exploration vessel, ideally suited for deep space recon/assessment
5. Something funny - verbal exchanges between Ezra and Sgt. J. McNulty

HOUR 10: 2pm
Spent the hour on the couch reading Illuminae. Almost halfway through the book out of 600 pages - a chunkster. Couple cat naps snuck in.

I should mention the morning was cold with spitting rain now and then. Now, the sun is shining and the sky is a beautiful blue.

Mini Challenge: Classics and Comics (here)

In Search of Lost Time: Swann's Way: A Graphic Novel by Marcel Proust
Amazon | Goodreads
=====>Would like to read this as an introduction to Proust works.

HOUR 11: 3pm
Changed the reading venue to a local cafe. People and background music help keep the eyes from drooping. And, got a Pumpkin Spice Latte inspired by the hour's mini challenge.

Mini Challenge: Pumpkin Spice or Naw (here)

Thumbs up for a Pumpkin Spice Latte with book ;-)

HOUR 12: 4pm -half way mark! woo hoo!

Mid-Event Survey: (here)

1. What are you reading right now? --> Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (past the half-way point)
2. How many books have you read so far? --> working on one chunkster
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? --> A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
4. Have you had many interruptions? --> just one phone call which was a quickie
5. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? --> how fast time flies when doing mini challenges along with reading

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* created a part 2 Dewey post (here) - for Hours 13-24 and Wrap-Up

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Stacking the Shelves - 7.11.15

Stacking the Shelves
hosted by Tynga's Reviews (details)

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

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Freebies:
I found these treats up for grabs at the library. Thanks to the person passing them on!

The Mourning Bells
(Lady of Ashes #4)
by Christine Trent
-Historical, Mystery, Victorian
Amazon | Goodreads
=====> Being #4 in the series means I must catch up with reading #1-3 first - or not. Perhaps, I will jump right in.

The Bughouse Affair
(A Carpenter and Quincannon Mystery #1)
by Marcia Muller, Bill Pronzini
-Historical, Mystery, San Francisco
Amazon | Goodreads

Letters From a Murderer:
The First Jameson & Argenti Investigation

(Finley Jameson & Joseph Argenti #1)
by John Matthews
-Historical, Mystery, Thriller, New York
Amazon | Goodreads

For Review:

The Little Paris Bookshop
by Nina George
-Paris, Books, Romance
courtesy of Blogging for Books
Thanks !
Amazon | Goodreads

The Pharaoh's Cat
by Maria Luisa Lang
-Comedy, Cat, Fantasy, Egypt
courtesy of author
Thanks !
Amazon | Goodreads

The Defiant Bride
by Leslie Hachtel
-Historical, Romance
courtesy of author
Thanks !
Amazon | Goodreads

Library:

It's Not How Good You Are,
It's How Good You Want To Be

by Paul Arden
-Busines, Inspiration, Non-fiction
Amazon | Goodreads

It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want to Be is a handbook of how to succeed in the world - a pocket 'bible' for the talented and timid to make the unthinkable thinkable and the impossible possible. The world's top advertising guru, Paul Arden, offers up his wisdom on issues as diverse as problem solving, responding to a brief, communicating, playing your cards right, making mistakes and creativity, all notions that can be applied to aspects of modern life. This book provides a unique insight into the world of advertising and is a quirky compilation of quotes, facts, pictures, wit and wisdom, packed into easy-to-digest, bite-sized spreads. If you want to succeed in life or business, this is a must!

=====> My rating: 5
Got turned on to this after reading #GirlBoss. I like it for the inspirational bits. There is cool chart on Life's Creative Circle.

OTHER things on my shelf: kinda book-related

Field Notes
America The Beatiful
website

=====> I followed the Morning News Tournament of Books (details) back in March which Field Notes was a sponsor. When I saw a set available in one of my local shops, I had an impulse buy and picked it up to give it a try. So far, I like the size (portability-in-my-purse) which makes it convenient for those times when those non-smart phone moments.

AND binge watching:

Another Period
tv series, season one
-Comedy, Historical
Amazon | imdb

Another Period follows the lives of the obscenely rich Bellacourt family and their many servants in turn-of-the-century Rhode Island. Natasha Leggero and Riki Lindhome lead an all-star cast - including Michael Ian Black, David Wain, Christina Hendricks, Jason Ritter and Paget Brewster - in this historical satire about narcissistic aristocrats and the poor souls in their employ.

=====> finding this very amusing ;-)
Also, it is a treat to see Christina Hendricks as Celine aka Chair.

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* comment and TELL me what you have acquired for your shelves recently

* per usual, check out the sidebar for my current giveaways offers

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Armchair Summer Travel

Armchair Summer Travel
June to August 2015

An alternative to those who are not able to travel out-of-country this year.

I LOVE vacationing in faraway places. Different cultures, food and sights are such a treat to experience.

I will not be able to take a vacation trip out of the country this year which is something I fell in love doing these past few years. To compensate, I decided to vacation vicariously through books and film.

Along with the BookSparks Travel themed reading challenge, I will be watching films that take place in other countries (not in USA). I will review current ones that are especially good in featuring a country as a character of the story or those that capture a lot of the sights and sounds.

JOIN me by commenting on my review posts or sending me any recommendations you may have.

--~ Special Giveaway ~--

WIN a box filled with some of my summer review book copies read from June to August 2015 including ones listed as part of the BookSparks Summer Reading Challenge (see list here).

Open to US only.

Offer ends: August 31, 2015

TO DO: (2-parts)

1. Let me know if you are interested in this giveaway in comments of this post and I will keep track of your comments.

AND include your email.

2. COMMENT on at least THREE of my review posts listed below.

please note: review links will light up after post goes up

*optional* feel free to let me know if there is a particular book(s) your are eye-ing

Participants:
Carol
Linda
Sherry
Tia

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Contest has ended - (winner is here)

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BOOK list:

Beautiful Ruins
by Jess Walter
Destination: Italy
Amazon | Goodreads | my review

I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without You
by Courtney Maum
Destination: Paris and London
Amazon | Goodreads | my review

It’s You
by Jane Porter
Destination: Travel up the west coast of California
Amazon | Goodreads | my review

Summer Secrets
by Jane Green
Destination: Cross the pond to London
Amazon | Goodreads | my review

One Thing Stolen
by Beth Kephart
Destination: Florence, Italy
Amazon | Goodreads | my review

Pieces
by Maria Kostaki
Destination: Island hop to Athens, Greece
Amazon | Goodreads | my review

The Rocks
by Peter Nichols
Destination: Mediterranean Sea
Amazon | Goodreads | my review

Us
by David Nicholls
-on Man Booker Prize 2014 long list
Amazon | Goodreads | my review

The Witch of Bourbon Street
by Suzanne Palmieri
Destination: Get jazzy in New Orleans
Amazon | Goodreads | my review

The Blue: A Novel
by Lucy Clarke
Destination: journey around the world on a yacht
Amazon | Goodreads | my review -coming

The Diver's Clothes Lie Empty
by Vendela Vida
Destination: Casablanca, Morocco
Amazon | Goodreads | my review -coming

The Little Paris Bookshop
by Nina George
Destination: France
Amazon | Goodreads | my review -coming


MOVIE list:

Coffe in Berlin (2012)
Destination: Germany
Amazon | imdb | my review-coming soon

Far From the Madding Crowd (2015)
Destination: Victorian England
Amazon (classic book) | imdb | my review

Copenhagen (2014)
Destination: Denmark
Amazon | imdb | my review

Night Train to Lisbon (2013)
Destination: Portugal
Amazon | imdb | my review

The Trip to Italy (2014)
Destination: Italy
Amazon | imdb | my review

A Five Star Life (2013)
Destination: Italy, France, Switzerland, Morocco, Germany, China
Amazon | imdb | my review

Pale Moon (2014)
Destination: Tokyo, Japan
imdb | my review

Harajuku Denier (2015)
Destination: Harajuku, Tokyo, Japan
imdb | my review

Uzumasa Limelight (2014)
Destination: Kyoto, Japan
imdb | my review

Have A Song On Your Lips (2015)
Destination: Goto islands, Japan
imdb | my review

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* This post will be updated as more will be added to these lists throughout the summer.

* Always looking for recommendations, so if you have any please comment!

 
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