Seven Ages of Paris

If you decide that you have forgotten anything you have learned about French history, or if you have decided that you are woefully ignorant of the French in general, you need to take a look at Alistair Horne's book Seven Ages of Paris.

In a fairly concise and enlivening book, Horne takes us on a whirlwind journey through the ages of Parisian life. This is definitely his view on things. But his view is a very good one - and it helps the ignorant like, yours truly, get a handle on the magnificent city that is Paris. From 358 AD to the rise of Mitterand, he gives us the politics, the people, architecture and artists that have given rise to the current "City of Lights." And he manages to interconnect them all as he goes along.

He has a bit of a "chatty" style for a historian, but he reminds you of the friend that is really going to tell you the highlights of what you need to know and nevermind the rest. I was amazed that his writing drew me in and kept me reading in the great saga that is PARIS! I was a bit disappointed by the lack of information about the French Revolution - a bit sketchy there - but the discussion of the aftermath, kept me from protesting. And besides he did tell you he was going to do the history - his way. An excellent book to look at the history of an exciting city. Viva la France!

Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

When the dead body of a stranger lies in the garden of an disheveled ancient family home, what's an eleven year old girl with a passion for chemistry (and a unnatural knowledge of poisons) supposed to do? Solve the mystery of course. Welcome to Flavia's world.

Flavia de Luce is 11 going on 4o. She's the neglected youngest daughter of an absent minded stamp collector in Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley. With her trusty bicycle Gladys, Flavia is determined to solve this crime. When her father is charged with the murder, it becomes even more important. She doesn't realize that the investigation will lead her to finding out more about her father's past.

Bradley does an excellent job showing us an eccentric dysfunctional family and manages to make it seem "normal" to Flavia. And when her older sisters lock her up in a closet or tell her she was really brought home as a baby from a store, she does what any normal youngest child does. She takes revenge. She just does it a little differently, with poison ivy in a lipstick.

I'm excited that this is to be a series. There are too many de Luce family secrets that have been hinted at and need to be uncovered. As a reader, I am looking forward to seeing Flavia and her sisters growing up in this odd environment. A very fun read!

Monsieur Pamplemousse - A Gastronomic Sleuth

The world knows author Michael Bond for his creation of Paddington Bear. But have you heard of his other literary creation for adults - Monsieur Pamplemousse? Monsieur Pamplemousse is a man of many talents. He was on the National Police force - but there was that chorus girls scandal in Paris (but no specifics - hmmm). He is now working undercover for Le Guide - the premier French publication which rates restaurants and food establishments throughout France. He brings along his dog Pomme Frites, on his food excursions in French countryside. He is a bit annoyed when his much awaited special dinner, is served with a fake human head. Has this renowned restaurant gone down hill? Mon dieu!

This series of adult books are bawdy bits of fun. Is it the French? Or Mr. Bond's quirky sense of humor? These are characters to be savored and enjoyed. Even Pomme Frites' has something to say. The mysteries are solved in the end, but the wacky winding and funny road it took to get there - well, c'est la vie. Definitely fun and frothy.

So far I've read:
Monsieur Pamplemousse
Monsieur Pamplemousse and the Secret Mission

Fortunes' Kiss

Lisa Manuel's book, Fortunes' Kiss, seems like it might be a standard historical romance, but it has enough quirks in it for a reader to sit up and take notice. Moira is trying to find out about her late stepfather's will. Having no male relative to step forward for her, she goes to London herself to see the new Baron and figure out what monies are left to her and her mother. She doesn't figure on the new heir being the slightly notorious Graham Foster, adventurer and Egyptian antiques expert.

Estranged from his family, Graham is not happy about returning to England. And he definitely is not happy when Moira accuses him of stealing her inheritance. But he starts to help her find out what happened and in the process she helps him and his family adjust to their new situation.

This book has some nicely done quirky characters (some great scenes with Graham's pet Sun Spider), and the leads are nicely normal. The author makes them very appealing and the reader wants them to succeed and solve their puzzle. A fun read.

Blow Me Down - a Virtual Romance!

What if you got trapped in a virtual reality game? Would you panic? Would you be able to support yourself as you went through the "game?" Just what are the rules in this new world? Kate MacAlister deals with those issues in her book, Blow Me Down.

Amy is just trying to relieve some tension by playing her daughter's virtual reality game. She just thinks she is playing the part of a wench in this pirate world called Buckling Swashes. And she doesn't realize she is trapped until she meets up with Black Corbin who recognizes her as a fellow real person and not a game character. He thinks she is great even when she bests him in a duel. She thinks he is arrogant but realizes he knows the rules since he was one of the games programmers. And he thinks he know how they got trapped in the game.

On a island filled with pirates, taverns, and houses of ill repute, Amy finds herself using a sword again, learning how to sail a sloop, and trying to organize a finance system for a local brothel. And teaming up with Corbin leads her to wonder - if he likes her in the VR world, will he like her in the real world? A fun and frothy good time.