Feeling Parisian

I adore French culture. I also adore reading, and set a goal to read at least two books a month this year. I’m already falling behind, but I have completed two books so far this year.

In January, I read a borrowed copy of Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster, which is by the author of my all-time favorite book, Into the Wild (Jon Krakauer). It’s unfair to compare the two books, but I will say that I really enjoy reading real-life adventure tales. I put Into Thin Air down more times than I did Into the Wild, but I think it’s partly because I’ve never experienced (or desired to experience) climbing large mountains. Still, I would recommend the book to those who seek to find a way to leave the world behind.

So this month, I read How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits. I found this book on amazon, mostly because it was recommended since I’d purchased this Eiffel Tower paint-by-number (and because I’d read/purchased The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World’s Most Glorious – and Perplexing – City recently).

This now hangs proudly in our master bedroom.

This was such a fun read. The book is written by four Parisiennes in a diary or journal format. It covers everything from love to conversation, to food, to style, and words of wisdom. I read 5-10 minutes of it each night, covering huge sections just before bed. I love books that I can easily pick up and put down like this one.

My absolute favorite passage, titled “Take Your Time” spoke of taking time because nobody else will do it for you. It suggests

Take the time to listen and to get to know yourself. Take the time to change, to grow, to rest, Take the time to say yes, take the time to say no. Take the time to be quiet. Take the time to look after your body, to eat well. Take the time to ask yourself who you are and what you want.

…go for a stroll in the woods and listen to the sounds of tiny creatures in the grass. In summer, take the time to compile a scrapbook of pressed flowers with a child, to read him a story. (page 126, How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits)

Oh my, I must’ve read and re-read this passage 10 times. I love the rhythm and flow of the words, the imagery of it, and the “oh of course” moment when I finished reading it.

I’ve had so much creative energy lately (which I’m channeling into writing, fitness classes, and planning events), and I think a lot of it is because I’ve been careful with my time. I’m still a busy bee, but I’ve become more picky with what I do.

I’m still accountable for working crazy hours during ‘yield’ season at work, but I’ve been able to share some of the work with my amazing student team, and with a reduced territory assignment, I’m working more on communications, which show off my creative and organized side.

Now it’s time to choose a new book! I have Me Before You and Looking for Alaska (I read his A Walk Across America and loved it) on my bedside table. Maybe one of these? Unless you have some great suggestions for me!

**all product links are Amazon referral links