Summer reading and a giveaway

Vitrines in a San Francisco jewelry store.

Three book recommendations for these last weeks of summer:

A Place in My Country by Ian Walthew - I have a confession to make. I was invited to a book-signing for Ian in Paris and had emailed him, saying I'd be there. He wrote back and said I could bring a friend. Then I came down with a virus and thought it best not to expose the party-goers. Not only did I miss meeting Ian, I didn't get a signed copy of his book. So I did the next best thing and ordered the book online. I read it and was knocked out by his writing.

This is the review that first made me want to read A Place in My Country:

"Ian Walthew was a newspaper executive with a career that took him round the world, who one day did a mad thing. He saw a for-sale sign on a cottage in the Cotswolds, bought it, resigned and moved in. For the first few weeks he just lay on the grass in a daze. Then he started talking to his neighbours and digging into the rich history of this beautiful part of England. Out of his inquiries grew this affecting and inspiring memoir. What sets it apart from others of its ilk is the author’s enviable immunity to cliché and his determination to love his homeland better than he used to. His elegiac account of relearning how to be an Englishman should be required reading for anyone who claims to know or love this country." - Melissa Katsoulis, Financial Times

My clever blogging friend Helen (Antipo Deesse) has written a terrific review of A Place in My Country and posted it on Amazon. I'm sure she won't mind if I quote an excerpt:

"The author’s story of two journeys – his own, and that of the English countryside – has resulted in an eye-opening book that is extremely satisfying for this reader on two different levels: namely a personal, emotive one and also intellectually, dealing as it does, with the serious problems facing farmers in the UK today.

"My personal enjoyment springs from the fact that the book is a cracking good read. Walthew’s search for a rural dream is shot through with a glittering, humorous thread, but also overlaid with a cloak of sadness, caused by the loss, in childhood, of his father and brother and his yearning to remember them."

"...Walthew is a master of metaphor and a true wordsmith. His sentences are long and complex, but perfectly balanced... He evokes the glorious wildlife and vegetation of the English countryside beautifully, with sentiment but not mawkishness... His repeated use of the moon as a leitmotif confers a pearly sheen of melancholy over many scenes. An almost unbearably poignant memory concerns his older brother protecting a hoard of sweets for both boys to share..."

"Some of his imagery is pure poetry: “A scintillation of memory from behind the curtain of night” and “Is the present a moon-cast shadow of the past?” A “basin full of shattered stone and rotting wood” evokes violence and despair. I will certainly enjoy the re-reading of it as much as the first one. Walthew is to be congratulated for having succeeded in the aim of taking his readers to a world of “breathless beauty, full of devilment, humour and rich untold histories.”

I Was Told There'd Be Cake by Sloan Crosley - "As most New Yorkers have done, I have given serious and generous thought to the state of my apartment should I get killed during the day." From that first sentence, the witty and wise essays of Crosley captivate and entertain. The writer Jonathan Ames called Crosley" a 21st-century Dorothy Parker." Reading this book, I wouldn't disagree.

Petite Anglais by Catherine Sanderson - A deeply-personal memoir by blogger Catherine Sanderson. The book explores Sanderson's life in Paris and her unexpected romance with a reader - for whom she left her partner.

One has to admire Sanderson for writing so bluntly about her private life. I was surprised the book does not explore the story about Sanderson being sacked from her administrative job, after her accounting firm employer discovered her blog. The ensuing publicity about her being fired, then winning an employment tribunal appeal resulted in a book deal. But the book, like her blog, focuses on Sanderson's love life and the challenges of raising a bilingual child in Paris.

Sanderson's book is well-written and entertaining and contains some touching, as well as hilarious passages. She also isn't afraid to let herself be seen in a less-than-flattering light and deserves credit for not glossing over difficult choices. A great weekend read.

As an aside, I was taken aback by Sanderson's relevation that she sometimes embellishes her blog posts for dramatic effect. In a blog with the writer's personal life as the focus, one would imagine readers expect the truth, rather than a fictionalised version of it. Sanderson writes in her book that she came to regard "Petite Anglais" as a character outside herself. Of course that makes her writing no less appreciated by her many readers.

Early in July, I was reading Petite Anglais at a Paris hairdresser's. A young woman asked me when the book is coming out in French, as she'd heard about Sanderson's story and was anxious to read the book. Obviously, the book has widespread appeal.

The giveaway

As Random House very kindly sent me an American edition of Petite Anglais - after I'd already bought the UK version at WH Smith in Paris - I have an extra copy. Please leave a comment and on Wednesday, I'll pick a name from a hat and mail the book to the winner.

Don't try this at home

Update Sunday afternoon: When you have no hot water for four days and the gardien finally shows up to fix it - but can't, saying the electrician will have to try - do not, repeat DO NOT pour a recently-boiled kettle of water over your head, when washing your hair. This will result in painful burns to the scalp, neck and shoulders. If this should happen to you - while considering whether or not to dash to the emergency room at the hospital conveniently located around the corner - pour Body Shop's Aloe Calming Toner over the affected area, then apply an ice pack to the top of your head. Take two aspirin and keep the ice pack on your head until the pain becomes bearable. It is hoped that next time, a cooler head prevails. Sigh.

Comments

[tinker]

The head is so incredibly sensitive - those burns sound so painful!
I (and others) might be very likely to do something similar if there weren't any hot water from the tap - thank you for sharing about it, and preventing who knows how many other burns.
Wishing you a much happier, healthier week ahead, than it sounds like you've had. Take good care of you, Tara~XOXO

[jeanie]

Oh, my poor Tara! I hope by now your head has healed. I bet those roots never felt anything so wretched in their lives!

Thanks for the good book reviews! I'm always looking to add to the list...which someday I'll manage to dent!

[Di Overton]

WHAT!A kettle of recently boiled water - ouch. Hope you are OK

[Christina]

Are you okay?? I was all over this post and then BAM the mom in me kicked in : ) Uhem...please say you're okay, I feel damn guilty entering your contest while you may be over there miserable.
: )

[janie]

Tara, I had never heard of this Petite's book or blog til now. Of course, I had to peruse her site. Sounds really intriguing! I am SO enjoying your photos of China. So much color, just beautiful!
Janie
www.sacredartimages.com
www.sacredartimages.blogspot.com

[Sue]

I was quite distressed to read of your disastrous mishap with the hot water. That must have been a horrific shock to the system. I do hope you are feeling better!

Many thanks for the book recommendations. I'm adding them to my list of books to read. I can never have enough books to read.

[tangobaby]

Oh no! You're hot enough without that kind of beauty treatment! Poor thing! Ouch.

Thank you for the book recommendations. I don't dare enter the contest due to the giant tower of unread and half-read books on my nightstand, but I have a super cool hat for drawings (funny you should mention it...check out my post today). But you would have to come back here to use it.

Hope today is a much better day than yesterday! xoxo

[antipodeesse]

Dearest Hot-Head,

Many thanks for your extremely flattering mention of little old me!

I hope you are feeling better very soon...

Helen
xx

[Fuji Mama]

Ouch! I can't imagine anything more painful!

[ali la loca]

I have been in the no-hot-water boat since we got back from our honeymoon. Actually, it's a no-water boat, at least as far as the shower is concerned. We have lovely flow in all the other taps...

For your information, I have perfected the warm bucket shower technique, as follows:

1. Get a 5-liter plastic water jug (they sell mineral water in these here in Moz)

2. Fill to the top with cold water.

3. Fill electric kettle using water from the jug, bring to a boil. Our kettle holds just over 1 liter.

4. Pour boiled water into jug slowly, pausing every once in a while to shake the jug and mix the water around so that the steam doesn't melt/disfigure the plastic jug.

5. Enjoy your bucket shower, or as they say here, banho de gato.

[rel]

Tara,
I wasn't going to read Petite anglais, but put my name in the hat, and if drawn I will certainly read it!
rel

[Gemma]

Interesting reviews of the book! I do enjoy a read of almost anything that is slightly off centre. On second thoughts, I love many things way off centre! They encourage my creativity and challenge my thoughts! Love it!

[Cinda Rae Oliverio]

I'm soOoOOo sorry to hear of this kettle mishap! HOPE YOU are feeling better by the time I write this! I hate burns and cuts!!! HOPE to win a new book!!! ahhhHHHH! Thanks for the chance to WIN!!! Now, GET WELL! healing prayers, Cinda

[Gillian]

Oh my god you are trying to do too much again!!!! Stop and smell the roses for godsakes. Woman, you need to slow up a bit!!! (The Universe is telling you that you are having some pretty hot thoughts!!!) :)
I sure hope your head feels better soon, with no lasting damage.
***
The bloggers book, sounds interesting. I am not a fan of embellishments however, lest they be on a dress or the like. Stories, are best left to the bare truth for my liking. Like you, I would appreciate reading more of the "non-glossed over" version, anyday.

xoxox
Get well soon, many bisous'!!!!!

[stephanie]

oh good heavens Tara! OUch!! I hope the aloe kept it from blistering...

x..x
p.s.
J!!!! How great would that be! I am so very excited...

[My Mélange]

OMG...Are you alright???? Sheesh I hope so. That MUST have been painful.

I will cross my fingers for your book give-away, as I have not yet read it. Maybe the Birthday Gods will be shining upon me :)

[A Fanciful Twist]

Oh No no no!! I am worried about my dear friends head!!!! Will you be okay??? xoxooxo

[Jzr]

Sorry to hear of your burns. Honey works wonderfully on burns so give that a try next time you're in need of a quick fix!

[Laura]

Oh, sweetie, ouch! I'm glad you had that aloe lotion to apply to your scorched scalp! I'm going to absolutely follow your lead about these books---I'm always on the lookout for good reads and I trust your taste implicitly.
Xoxo,
Louise

[bella]

OMG!! I hope your head feels better soon.. aaak.

Put me in for the book give away!! xxoo

[maddie]

tara!!! your poor little head!

you will have to fly out here and stay with me and
i will take care of you:)

:) I needed new book suggestions ~ I am reading
Bob Dylan's Chronicles and LOVING his strong
lyrical style ~ and will want a beautifully
written book to follow so perfect timing:)

today...i am feeling lazy ~ it has been so hot and
am heading out to a gallery shortly

miss you:(

maddie

[Di]

Oh Tara, I hope that the burns have completely gone now.

I would love to put my name in the hat for Petite's book. I've been reading her blog off and on since I started blogging and would be curious to read her book. I guess you've inspired me to go out and find it if my name doesn't come up - thank you for that :)

[Rosa]

First of all, TARA!!! OUCH! That sounds like something I would do and then have to smack myself with a "DUH!" Poor you. When our world is upside down, we do things we normally wouldn't do. I do hope you keep an eye on it (or have the hub do so) in order to make sure you don't have something that truly does need attending to by a doctor. Sending a get well kiss your way. Those books sound absolutely wonderful. Of course, throw my name in the pot. In the meantime, I'm going to look them up. Maybe now that school is in, I will have a little time to sit and read. Ya think? xo

[Rebekah C]

First off, I'm so sorry about your head. Ouch! ((hugs))

Second, I'd love to enter for your book draw. What an interesting looking book.

Thanks :)

Rebekah

littleminx at cox dot net

[Marilyn]

I feel a little guilty that I have been reading and enjoying your blog for months, and haven't left a comment before! I have loved your slices of life in faraway places!

[Nancy Sotham]

Hey Tara! Count me in for the book draw. (I hope your scalp is feeling better....)

[RD]

All three books sound wonderful, and I'd love to read Petite Anglais. Ian Walthews sounds absolutely rich. I'm so glad you wrote about them, and will look for them around here.

[Leau]

Very timely, I was just on my out for another selection of "bus books" to finish the summer! Thanks for the info to make choosing easier. smooches from the land of enchantment.

[Nihal]

Sanderson's life in Paris and her unexpected romance sounds very intriguing. Would like to read this kind-of-love life having my cold lemonade under my all summer laziness. Could you please count me in?

Thanks again for all of the summer readings, I do appreciate very much.

Have a nice Sunday & Happy Blue August.

[kristen]

I'm so naive! It would never occur to me to embelish what I write, nor would I ever suspect someone of doing so on their blog. But I appreciate the candor and would love to read her book, so count me in on the drawing.

[Forest Green]

I've been waiting for my dear friend, Antipo, to send me a copy of Petite Anglais but she hasn't gotten around to it yet. This would certainly save her the trouble.

[shelagh]

All of those books sound interesting:) Please add my name to your hat. Cheers.

[Ewa In The Garden]

Dear Tara,
The book you give away seems like very interesting. I have never heard of that story before. hmmm...