Read a good book - Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson

Mother Tongue, by Bill Bryson, is the singular book I would take to a dessert island, if I was only allowed one book. Not only is it incredibly informative, full of facts, some rather obscure, but also it is extremely funny. Honest. Who knew a book on language could beContinue Reading

The Piano Shop on the Left Bank book review

It has been awhile since I have undertaken a book review for the Vive le Livre Book Club. Partly life getting in the way and diminishing my passion for reading for awhile. And the other, maybe more telling, that finding good books set in France is strangely becoming harder toContinue Reading

Alice in France is the real life tale of a young American woman volunteering during World War One, told in her own words through her letters home. A very interesting and recommended read by PumpjackPiddlewick

I have just finished a very interesting book called Alice in France* by Nancy O’Brien Wagner. It’s been a tricky one to finish, and finally review. Not because I didn’t enjoy the book, far from it. Rather, because time was against me, so I had to read in fits andContinue Reading

We review 2 books on wine and war in France, 1 fiction and 1 non-fiction at PumpjackPiddlewick

Interestingly I was given a book recently – The Lost Vintage by Ann Mah. And at the same time Wine and War, by Donald and Petie Kladstrup, was recommended to me. I read them both, and can recommend them both. Wine and War Wine and War is a non-fictional book.Continue Reading

The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen is part mystery part great storytelling. We review at PumpjackPiddlewick

The Paris Apartment, by Kelly Bowen, goes high on my reading recommendations. If you are keen on books set in France, this is a must read. A fictional tale, it isn’t one for giving you insight into the culture of France. Rather it is set in France, and England. ButContinue Reading