Thursday, August 13, 2015

Thorsday Book Review: The Little Paris Bookshop

THE LITTLE PARIS BOOKSHOP
by Nina George

It all started with a table.

Jean Perdu owns The Literary Apothecary, a bookstore aboard a barge in Paris.  He won't sell just any book to a customer, but only what he feels they need.  His life, however, isn't in such fine condition.  One afternoon, when he returned home, his landlady told him that there was a new tenant in the flat across the hall from him, and since her wealthy husband had just put her clothing in a suitcase on the doorstep with divorce papers atop it, and changed the locks, all of the tenants in the building were contributing furnishings to help her.  The landlady determined that Jean needs to donate a table, which leads him to a slow emotional meltdown, the origins of which stretch back 20 years, and which is revealed to us slowly.  Because of this meltdown, one day Jean unties his bookstore/barge from its moorings and sets off downriver, accompanied by his two barge cats and a young author who lives in his building, who is suffering from writer's block and can't even begin his second novel.

I chose this book because of the title, and the pretty picture on the cover.  I"m a sucker for book stores, and love stories set in France (where I will never visit, because the reality is never as pretty as the pictures in your head).

I loved this book.  I read it last week, almost finishing it before Jeff and Tank came to visit.  Of course, I stayed up most of Friday night to finish it, because I enjoyed it so.  5/5

Note: I received this book free from Blogging for Books.  All opinions are my own.

And, since it's Thorsday, here are some pictures of Tank from last weekend.


Happy Thorsday, everyone!

11 comments:

Lapdog Creations said...

Oh Tank, look at how big you're getting...and so handsome!

Anonymous said...

Love the Tankster. So, I checked with our library and this is a very popular book. I have a reserve on it, but I'm third in line. Another mystery writer you might like is M.L. Longworth. Her stories are set in Aix.

Two French Bulldogs said...

You are good looking Tank
Lily & Edward

Diane said...

I must see if I can find this book as it is close to home. Paris is a magical city and in reality is probably better than in your head :-) Have a great weekend Diane

STELLA and RORY from Down Under said...

Hi Marjie. Thanks for the review. Another one to add to my list. One of my daughters spent three days in Paris when she visited a friend in Germany. Not long but she said it was lovely and the people were so friendly (which we had heard otherwise from different people). If you ever get the time, there is a film called Midnight in Paris with Owen Wilson (who is an aspiring writer in the movie) which my hubby and I loved. Tank is certainly a handsome dog. Have a great weekend. No worries, and love, Carol (and Stella and Rory)

SissySees said...

That sounds like a wonderful book! I'm pretty sure I'd have a meltdown too if I was ordered to not only donate furniture to a neighbor, but specifically... a table...

Tank is quite handsome, but then so goes it with your whole family!

Pam said...

I'll be looking for this book - it sounds wonderful!

Tank is adorable.

Anonymous said...

Based on your posts, I looked into Blogging for Books, and joined. Free books? I'm so there.

pam said...

Tank is so handsome!! This book has been on my list, definitely going to read it!

grace said...

he's a beautiful dog, but i prefer looking at canines of his size from afar. :)

Dexter said...

Books, Paris, mystery. What a great combination!