I read my first manga! At 428 pages it was quite a fun trip. Reading the book backward was challenging at first, but it didn’t take long to get into the flow. It was confusing at times and yet, it all came together in the end.
There are cats living in the attic of the most famous (and my favorite) museum in the world, The Louvre. The only one who knows about them is the night guard. There are people and cats who can escape into the pairtings. Add a few characters, a long lost sister, and a cat who doesn’t fit in and you get an idea of what you’ll find.
It took a bit to grow on me, but by the end I was charmed by Cats of the Louvre by Taino Matsumoto.
Jason and I are both museum lovers and we spent the better part of a day at the Louvre on our visit. A magical place.
Gage loves The Who Is book series, so I was excited to sign him up for an online book club on Outschool. They read a Where Is book and meet every two weeks. As they discuss the book the teacher also includes other activities, like drawing a Wanted poster. This is a great book group and if you’re interested in it for your kid DM me and I’ll send you the link. The next book is Where is the Serengeti? The week of July 18. We read Where is Alcatraz and he loved it.
In 1900 France famous playboy Gaston ends yet another romantic affair. Teen Gigi is being groomed as a courtesan, but still retains her youthful innocence. The end was inevitable and the songs were good. I’m glad I watched this for my Paris in July project, but can’t say I loved it.
Have you seen it? Do you like old movies?
I’ve been sending and receiving postcards through @postcrossing for years. These are five that I’ve received from France over the last several years and the fun stamps. Two of them were from Nantes, and the rest spread around the country. It was fun to read them again yesterday, even if sometimes the handwriting challenged me!
Somehow I still managed to have a fantastic trip even if I was still sick every morning 😂.
Now about the book, The Little French Bistro. I loved this quirky little book about an older woman who decides to kill herself by jumping into the Seine on a trip to Paris with her husband. She’s fished out of the water, of course, but now she has to figure out what to do with the rest of a life she doesn’t want.
She makes her way to Brittany, also called the end by of the world, and lives each day as if it’s her last, until one day, she doesn’t. There are lots of characters with their own stories and they fit neatly into the story of this seaside village.
I love stories about women finding their way and reinventing themselves to match the life they want, especially if there’s a little magic. And to do it in France? Even better.
And head over to Thyme for Tea for more Paris in July fun!
Stacy's Books 
I have seen Gigi many times.I agree that Maurice Chevalier steals the movie. The director, Vincent Minnelli composed this movie like a painter. His use of color is exceptional. Leslie Acton and Louis Jourdan are very good. The songs are written by Lerner and Loew, the pair who created My Fair Lady.
I live in the world of old movies. I am a regular viewer of Turner Classic Movies.
I love old movies too, but have a mixed reaction to the musicals 🙂 Every time we watch one I ask why we don’t watch more.
I love the idea of the cats that live in the paintings at the Louvre. In my Mona Lisa collection, I have quite a few cat-themed Mona parodies.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
The story of cats (and people) being able to disappear into the paintings was a charming idea.
I never saw Gigi but, now you’ve tempted me as did “A Walk in Paris” and “The Little French Bistro.” I loved all the pictures here as well.
Paris is very tempting. Wait until you see what I got in the mail today 🙂
I’ve never been to Paris and I’m still hoping to go someday! What a bummer about having morning sickness the entire time you were there. I was sick for the first trimester of my pregnancy, so I can relate. Thankfully, it stopped the day my second trimester began! The Little French Bistro sounds like a fun read. I’m adding it to my list for next year’s Paris in July challenge. Thanks!
My morning/day sickness ended by my 6th month, lol.
I Love Gigi. My favourite old set in Paris movie is ninotchka.
I’m going to have to look for that one!
I’m crazy about old movies. Tonight we watched Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, a light, silly comedy which takes place partially in Paris. One of my favorite old movies set in Paris is An American in Paris, and I plan to watch it again next week.
I love old movies too. I really liked Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. It’s been awhile since I saw An American in Paris.
I love the idea of those cats in the Louvre!
I enjoyed the Nina George books I have read.
I want to read her other one about the Paris book shop now!