French Inspired Summer Reading...

Welcome to my first post on the French Cupboard blog...I am so glad you have stopped by...

When summer arrives, one of my favorite things to do, is finally taking time to read some of the books that I have been meaning to get to. I bring them along with me to the beach or beside the pool, or while spending an afternoon outside on the porch. And on those really hot days...inside with the central air blowing...

I am delighted to be here sharing some French inspired books that you may want to add to your list for reading this summer...

For those of you {like me} who dream of moving to the South of France...spending time in Provence...and learning what it is really like to be an American living in France...here are some picks for you...

Words in a French Life by Kristin Espinasse

A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle

Chasing Matisse: A Year in France Living My Dream by James Morgan

And for the die hard Marie fans...some that you may enjoy...

Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Frasier

Queen of Fashion by Carlone Weber

The Private Realm of Marie Antoinette

A peek inside the delightful Private Realm...it is overflowing with beautiful photos and insight into Marie's world...

The one that I hope to get to this summer...

A recent addition to my "decorating" library {while more flipped through than read per say} is Thrifty Chic, which is filled with wonderful tips and ideas for creating a chicly decorated home on a budget...

This book is filled with inspiring photos and decorating ideas...

And of course, these days no home is complete without the ever inspiring Jeanne d'Arc Living magazine. While this magazine is sought in the States for it's eye candy appeal rather than the articles {it's in Danish}...you will surely gain inspiration and have the cares of the day soothed away by the enticing homes and photographs shared here...

I hope that all of you find some time to pick up a good book {or magazine} and get inspired this summer...

{All of the above mentioned books are available online...many for reasonable prices on Amazon.com; Jeanne d'Arc Living is available through select online retailers including Raised in Cotton and Enchanted Treasures}

What's on your reading list for the summer ahead?

Till next time...

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http://www.paintedwhite.com/

and my personal blog:

Thoughts from Alice W.

My Thing for Books - and my Emotional Ride

Ever since I can remember, I have had a fascination with type, fonts, and books. I can't explain why really - I don't read as much as I should (blogs and magazines dont count), my parents are not readers and the only person I remember as a reader during my childhood was my Grandmother. She, however, always had harlequin type paperbacks by the side of her bed and we got in trouble if we even got near them (and their seductive covers)!!! But I digress.

So, today, I had a chance to go the the flea market and was instantly drawn, as usual to the boxes of old books. I am always still fascinated by the fancy binding (especially the gold lettering), the different font types, and most of all, the embossed covers. I love it when a french book has notes, when there is sentiment to/from on the cover, or the beautiful school taught penmanship of the past that we all sigh over deep inside. Plus, the fact that leather was used to present a book still seems somewhat magical to me. Any how, I have had to narrow my collection to anything as close to 1900, and if possible, to certain colors. I thought I would share with you some of my collection.

My oldest book is this little school Grammer booth from 1823....isnt it beautiful?

So - the best thing about garage sales is taking the time to learn about each piece. I thought my 1823 book was the crown of my collection - however, she has been temporarily replaced. Today I stopped at a sale here in Roseville. Nice family, lots of books - newer. But in the stacks and stacks, I found this little childrens book with tons of character - it was only $1.

As I checked its date and started to pay for it, I noticed a stamp inside: St. Marys Orphanage Galveston. The book was dated 1900. My heart began to sink. I told you I dont read much but the ONE book I have been reading lately, to my kids for history class is Isaacs Storm by Erik Larson. This book is a history of the worst storm in American history - the hurricane of 1900 that wiped out the town of Galveston, Texas. Some of you may know about it. If you dont, its a story of the perfect storm and the story of Isaac, the US Weatherman stationed in Galveston and how the storm was missed. After the storm, you could imagine the life lost. The worst story was that of the orphans and the nuns of St. Marys drowned in the rising water and how they were found. I am welling up writing this - you will need to go out and find out how they were found because I cant write it without crying. The book that I found today was published the year of the storm, prior to the storm and somehow, survived the storm. To think the nuns read to the children from this book really hits my heart. I talked it over with the my family after showing it to them and the book will stay with me only until I can get it back to Texas somehow. By the way, the gentleman I bought was from Galveston. His father was carried on the grandfathers back in the flood waters to safety as they survived the 1900 storm. He started to cry this morning telling me the story. And yes, I did ask to leave the book behind but he refused it knowing I knew the history of the orphans and St. Marys. I never knew my love of books would take me on such an emotional ride but you never know the history you carry in your home. Take the time and meet the people you buy from - everything has a story.