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What book should I read while wasting away hours in the Loire Valley, France?


madteaparty
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I will have something I almost never have, owing to homeschooling, working, commuting and a toddler: 3 hours to myself each day for a week. DS is doing an immersion program in Sancerre. Can you recommend a book to go with this trip? It doesn't have to be related at all, just... atmospheric? Oh, I just want a good vacation read I guess :) Thank you!

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The Virgin Blue?  Not the same area, but France.  I liked it several years ago.

 

Five Quarters of the Orange is set in the Loire Valley.  

 

There's another from book set in that area that I liked... Can't recall the title.  Let me see if I can find it on the shelf, and I'll come back and post.  I think it was a YA title.

 

 

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I agree with Kareni, though Florand's first book in the Amour et Chocolat series is not my favorite (even though it is well-written, engaging, and funny).

 

Another Karen :)

 

And I agree with you, Luckymama.  I think the series has improved over time!

 

Regards,

Kareni

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Peter Mayle has written some delightful memoirs, as a retired Brit settling in Provence.

 

"A Year in Provence", followed by "Toujours Provence" and another one.

He & his wife stumble through the year, trying to learn French, get their home remodeled, and fit into the small village life.  Fun.

http://www.amazon.com/A-Year-Provence-Peter-Mayle/dp/0679731148/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1402429893&sr=8-4&keywords=peter+mayle

 

It was adapted to a delightful BBC mini-series (1993), with John Thaw & Lindsay Duncan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K757k19nTtU&list=PLF92A0054E0FB9390&index=3

 

I haven't read any of his novels.

 

Another good friend is in France for a few weeks, and is (planning to read):

First French Essais: Venturing into Writing, Marriage and France by K Espinasse

http://www.amazon.com/First-French-Essais-Venturing-Marriage/dp/1496139550/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402430360&sr=8-1&keywords=kristen+Espinasse

It's a spinoff of her blog:

http://french-word-a-day.typepad.com/

 

Enjoy soaking up the French air!

 

 

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Thanks, everyone. I've fed the Kindle!
For those asking, this is a language school in Sancerre, the only one I could find that worlds with children (the rest are teen and up). I can't provide a review yet as this is our first time but happy to do so when I return.

 

ETA: The Enchanted April seems to be free on Kindle today

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I have a lot of great books on my Kindle you can try. Thing is, I'll have to come along to make sure you can operate the Kindle. ;) C'est très jolie!

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