Today we’re all about the Paris book love. Amy Thomas interviews bestselling author Eloisa James on her latest book, Paris in Love, a memoir of a year spent in Paris enjoying the good life. For a chance to win a copy of the book, leave us a note in the comments below! We’ll pick one lucky reader at random on May 31. ** Update: the contest is now closed. Thank you for commenting! **

Making Magique

’Tis the season for books about Paris. There are new non-fiction titles (Dreaming in French, French Kids Eat Everything), photography tomes (Paris in Color), cookbooks (La Petite Cuisine à Paris) and a slew of memoirs including Paris, I Love You But You’re Bringing Me Down, A Family in Paris and the one I just devoured on my recent trip to the City of Light: Paris in Love by Eloisa James.

Having lived in Paris for nearly two years and written my own memoir, I’ve been giddily burning through these titles, alternately living vicariously, laughing out loud in empathy, and tearing up at the memories. Eloisa’s memoir was no different. A mélange of personal thoughts, family anecdotes, historic and cultural references, practical facts and general observations, delivered in a fun, self-deprecating voice, in short spurts of prose lifted largely from her Facebook and Twitter accounts, it’s hard not to fall for the lovely writer, her Italian husband, her two moody teens or her chubby Chihuahua, Milo.

Olof Grind

Partly what makes Eloisa so irresistible is her lack of pretense. A writing professor and best-selling author of romance novels (don’t miss the giveaway below!) who underwent a mastectomy to treat breast cancer, she sold her home, took a sabbatical from work and moved her family to the ninth arrondissement. During her year devoted to enjoying life’s everyday pleasures, she becomes hyperaware of seductive details everywhere, from the “dreamy dark pink” of a tote bag to Sacré-Coeur’s basilica covered by rows of “creamy scallops” to Paris mornings that are “moody, cool and empty.” It’s a book that reminds you of the best things about Paris: the kindness of strangers, those poignant feelings of magic and melancholy, and that food can fix things. Now back in the States, Eloisa took the time to respond to some questions, just for HiP.

Carin Olsson

Of all the places in the world you could have taken a sabbatical, why did you choose Paris?
I have always loved Paris. Growing up on a farm in Minnesota, I had a black-and-white etching of the city on my wall, and I lived in Paris during my junior year abroad. After being treated for cancer, when I realized that I wanted to run away from my normal life, Paris was an easy choice: I love the chocolate, the light on the Seine, the time — or rather, the lovely way that Parisians savor their days rather than dashing through them.

What were the favorite moments of your life in Paris?
Every day I would drop my daughter off in the Italian school, on one side of Paris, and walk home to the 9th, across the Seine. I loved that hour or so of walking, no matter the weather. Much of the book’s close descriptions come from those mornings.

Carin Olsson

The format of your book is really intriguing: that you reformatted concise Facebook and Twitter updates and created a strong, coherent narrative. Can you talk a little about the origins of the book: was that a conscious choice to write a book that way, or did it happen more organically?
One thing I knew when we left for Paris was that I had to bring home memories, not just as a series of snap-shots. My father, Robert Bly, is a poet, and when I was in elementary school, he was working on prose poems. Mastering a very short form of prose, even if my snippets have no comparison to his poetry, was an exercise in affection. I resisted turning it into a traditional travel narrative because I wanted this book to give readers the sense I had captured, of small but vivid pleasures.

Karigee

How is Milo??
Milo, our very, very plump Chihuahua, who paid us a long visit in Paris, is doing just fine. He and my mother-in-law, Marina, live in Florence, Italy, where he is fed far too much prosciutto. During our year in Paris we all engaged in a fruitless attempt to slim Milo down. Alas, Marina called last week and confessed that he has gained weight again. At 26 pounds, that seems impossible! Milo will be ten years old this summer…. We’re not sure that he will live a very long life, but he is definitely living a very happy one!

What is one non-tangible thing you took home from your year in Paris?
Next time you’re in Paris, don’t spend all your time (or even much of your time) being a tourist. Sit in a café and watch the world passing by. Be joyful rather than learned.

“Be joyful rather than learned.” That is a quote for the books, mes amis!

For a chance to win Eloisa James’ wonderful new book, Paris in Love, leave us a note in the comments below! We’ll pick one lucky reader at random on May 31.

Related links:

  • Missed the giveaway? You can purchase Paris in Love here
  • Also be sure to check out Amy Thomas’ memoir, Paris my Sweet, here
  • Paris in Four Months, by our very own Carin Olsson, also beautifully captures the tiny moments that make us fall in love with Paris over and over again.

Written by Amy Thomas for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, London, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

WRITTEN BY

Amy Thomas

Amy Thomas is a sweets-obsessed writer based between New York and Paris. She published her best-selling “foodoir” (food writing meets memoir), Paris, My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate). This was followed up with the 2018 book Brooklyn in Love: A Memoir of Food, Family and Finding Yourself. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, T Magazine, New York Post, National Geographic Traveler, New York Magazine, Town & Country, Bust, Every Day with Rachel Ray and others.

166 Comments

  1. I was just in Paris a few months ago, don’t think it’s possible to visit without fantasizing about living in such a magical place.
    The book looks wonderful!

  2. I just can’t get enough of Paris, home of my ancestors — visiting, savoring my photographs, dreaming about and reading about this most captivating city! I happened to see “Paris In Love” on a shopping site recently and have been meaning to order it. Since reading your lovely little interview with Ms. James, I’m doubly convinced that I absolutely have to have the book for my collection! Shall I buy it now or wait to win it???

  3. I would love to win! I’m travelling to Paris on a Fulbright Research Grant next year and I’m so in love with the city already!

  4. I finished reading the book on our flight to Paris, first time visting. It was great! I took some of her recommendations and shopped at the Galleries Lafayette (wow!), and some of her restaurants. I love how the book is set up in little snippets, makes for an easy and enjoyable read.

  5. My wife has been sick for 10 months to the point now that she can no longer work. We are quitting our jobs, selling our stuff, and moving to Paris for 12 months for her to rest and recover. We’d love to bring this book with us.

  6. I just returned from my honeymoon in Paris and miss it so much! I’m very excited to read this book!

  7. I have loved your blog forever!
    It puts me in a lovely mood every time I browse thru it.

    Great book, fantastic author. Thanks so much for the excellent giveaway!

    I am wishing myself luck.

    XOXO~

  8. The first time I went to Paris, I was 16 years old and fell in love with all things Paris. A dozen visits later, I spent 2 weeks there this past fall with my new husband on our honeymoon! And now he often talks of going back. Just reading this blog post has me in my Paris dream land for the day. Would love to have a copy of the book!

  9. Sounds like a great book! I’ve been living in Paris several years now and I love reading about other people’s experiences here.

  10. I’ve been buying every book – whether travel guide, memoir, or history text – about Paris I can get my hands on at the moment! It would be lovely to add another to my collection. x

  11. ah, never tire of reading about Paris, visited many times but never had the privilege of actually living there…wish I did, perhaps one day!

  12. Oh, the Paris memoirs keep coming – and that’s a good thing! Love to read everyone’s unique take. I’m especially intrigued with how the author created a cohesive narrative out of her short snippets. Her father is Robert Bly? WOW! Would love to win a copy of the book!

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