Travelling and reading

When I travel to foreign countries, I always enjoy to read a few books set in those places to start the adventure a little bit earlier. In a few days I’m leaving for Scotland.  I’ve been reading Sophia’s Secret by Susanna Kearsley but I found out that except for Gabaldon and Dunnett’s series, I don’t have many historical fiction set in this country. Any suggestions?

I’ll leave you with one of my favorite commercials about Scotland, whiskey and foreign (and lost!) travelers.:)

Book Giveaway!

Lights, Camera…History ! is organizing a book giveaway to celebrate the upcoming release of the movie Dorian Gray (9th September in the UK). If you want to win a copy of the fabulous book The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, you have all the infos here: The Picture of Dorian Gray book giveaway

Good luck!

Latest arrivals…

I couldn’t resist reading Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati which I absolutely loved. I’m also currently reading Courtesan by Diane Haeger and the others will hopefully quickly follow . :) Oh and my camera is dying so I get this odd colors… Time to buy a new one I guess.

Eagerly waiting!

Julie & Julia looks wonderful! Meryl Streep is one of my favorite actresses and Amy Adams seems perfect for this role (she was already astonishing in Doubt). I’ll have to read the book quickly before watching the movie in September.:)

Mysteries: Seule contre la loi by Wagner & Seiter

1875, England. Valeria Brinton, a young and beautiful woman, just married the charming Eustace Woodville. It was love at first sight. The spouses are very attached to each other and everything seems perfect about this newlywed couple. Suddenly, the young woman discovers some deep hidden secrets who become a constant reminder how little she knows her husband. Their marriage was not approved by her husband’s family who refused to attend to their wedding and even Valeria’s uncles were not happy about this situation.
During the first days of their honeymoon, she accidentally meets her mother-in-law and finds out her husband uses a false name. Why is he hiding his true identity?! Troubled by so many mysteries, the young woman decides to take the matters on her own hands and find out the truth. But everything is much more complex than she ever imagined…

This is the 1st volume of the series, Mysteries: Seule contre la loi (The Law and The Lady) freely adapted from Wilkie Collins‘ book with the same name. The author even shows up during the story as an old friend of the heroine.

When I picked it up at the library, I just wanted an historical comic fast to read and interesting enough to hold my attention. I previously read The Woman in White and Moonstone by the author and really enjoyed both. This was another opportunity to get to know Collins a little better and I’ll definately read The Law and The Lady in a near future.

If completely in love for Eustace, Valeria knows she cannot rest until she finds out the reasons of so many mysteries. She’s brave and independent and doesn’t scare off easily. Her husband, in the other hand, never really tries to explain the reasons of his lies. He just abandons his wife to her fate thinking he is doing a huge sacrifice leaving her alone. I do understand Eustace has reasons to think no one will believe him but he gives up easily, especially with someone he loves so much (or he says so).

The drawing style can be sometimes a bit too schematic concerning the characters’ faces but Wagner manages very well to show all the emotions with every stroke. A special note about the Victorian clothes, hairdos or even the architecture details which were a real pleasure to admire.

I noticed my library had the 2nd volume so I’ll probably bring it home this week. Can’t wait to see what happens next!

Grade: 4/5

What’s On Your Nightstand?

I easily lost track of my reading challenges, to my great shame, so I needed something that would help me organize a monthly TBR and stick with those books until they’re finished. What’s On My Nightstand? seems not only practical but fun!

 

What I’ve been reading these last weeks:

Olivia & Jai by Rebecca Ryman (4.5/5 stars) – I read this one a couple of years ago and decided it was time for another go. As good as the first time! Highly recommended for all those who enjoy historical fiction set in India.

Veil of Illusions by Rebecca Ryman (4/5 stars) – Another reread and even if it wasn’t as good as Olivia & Jai it was still an amazing story.

Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh (4.5/5 stars) – A must read for all paranormal fans! This Psy-Changeling series is getting better and better. Singh is right now one of my few auto-buy paranormal/urban fantasy authors.

The Last Kashmiri Rose by Barbara Cleverly (4/5 stars) – Another book set in India but this time during the 1920’s. 

Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs (4.5/5 stars) – Also a reread, since the 2nd book of the series will be released in a few days. It’s one of my favorite series right now, along with Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changelings, Mercy Thompson also by Patricia Briggs and Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels.

Friday’s Child by Georgette Heyer (4.5/5 stars) - A fantastic audiobook and one of my favorite books by the author so far!

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer (2.5/5 stars) – Audiobook

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer (2/5 stars) – Audiobook

 

This is what I have planned for the next month:

1. Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen
2. Shadow of the Moon by M. M. Kaye (currently rereading this one as well and loving it!)
3. The Kommandant’s Girl by Pamela Jenoff
4. A Northern Ligh by Jennifer Donnelly
5. The Last Queen by C. W. Gortner
6. The Pirate Queen by Susan Ronald
7. Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross (I’m actually in the middle of this one and really enjoying it!)
8. La Tour Dreams of the Wolf Girl by David Huddle
9. L’Affaire du Collier by Evelyne Lever
10. Poulet aux Prunes by Marjane Satrapi
11. Mysteries: Seule contre la loi by Wagner & Seiter

I know I’m being very optimistic but I really need to make some space on my shelves and read some books who were just gathering dust for many months now.

You can read everything about What’s On Your Nightstand at 5 Minutes for Books.

What’s going on right now

I know I’m late about this announcement but I’ve been terribly busy and I’m desperately trying to catch up with everything. A couple of weeks ago, I was invited to make part of the fabulous team of Historical Tapestry, a must-read blog for all those addicted to historical fiction like myself. I can’t wait to write my reviews, I’m so excited! I picked a book already; right now I’m reading Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross. So far, so good!

Also, since I change of job recently I don’t have any summer vacation… I have to admit I love to stay in Paris during August. Many Parisians run away from town and the streets are almost empty. Quite a change from the rest of the year! For the occasion, my dear half bought me a bunch of books about cooking and Paris (and a few more he knew I would enjoy). He knows how passionate I am about both. Now I know what to do during my next weekends.;-)

A month ago, I posted some images about Tim Burton new movie, Alice in Wonderland. They were simply gorgeous! By coincidence, I found in my neighbourhood a little store with lots of lovely objects (many bentos and Japanese products) called Bird on the Wire. I spotted an irresistible mug with a little dish designed by Shinzi Katoh about Alice in Wonderland. I love mugs so I bought it right away!

 

Finally a photo of my naughty Mr. Kiwi snooping on our neighbours. He has no shame! ;-)

La Bastille

Today we are celebrating la Fête de la Federation. But it’s also the birthday of the storming of the Bastille. Since I live in the neighborhood, I confess that I often wonder how the Bastille would look like today if it wasn’t demolished.
We can still find some remains in one of the metro stations (line 5, the orange one), along the Henri IV Boulevard for instance and there’s also a special pavement who draws the original outline of the fortress (see here). The descriptions of the Bastille are so impressive that I can’t help searching for old drawings, paintings and photos to see the evolution of the square.

 

(image from Petit Journal)

Photo by Jüppsche

Photo by caribb

Photo by Olivier Bruchez

Even today, the Bastille Square is one of the most active places of the Paris. Manifestation, strikes, protests, markets, concerts and any other kind of celebration, this seems to be the place everyone turn to.

To have a even better ideia of the changes, you can visit the following sites:

http://paris1900.lartnouveau.com/paris12/bastille/la_bastille.htm (during the 1900’s and now)

http://parisavant.com/index.php?x=browse&category=12&pagenum=1

Happy 14th of July!

 

The Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters

When Lady Baskerville’s husband Sir Henry dies after discovering what may have been an undisturbed royal tomb in Luxor, she appeals to eminent archaeologist Radcliffe Emerson and his wife Amelia to take over the excavation. Amid rumors of a curse haunting all those involved with the dig, the intrepid couple proceeds to Egypt, where they begin to suspect that Sir Henry did not die a natural death, and they are confident that the accidents that plague the dig are caused by a sinister human element, not a pharaoh’s curse.

Since I read A Crocodile in the Sandbank, I became a big fan of Amelia Peabody. She’s unlike any other sleuth heroine I ever read about before. Amelia is one of a kind!

The second book, The Curse of the Pharaohs starts 4 years later after the end of the 1st book. Amelia and Emerson are quietly living in Kent with their son William, nicknamed Ramses. After his birth, his parents felt they couldn’t continue their career as Egyptologists until he had grown and could accompany them to Egypt.

While they are trying not to get bored with their smooth English life, they follow in the newspapers the story of Lord Baskerville and how he possibly died of a curse after digging some pharaoh’s tomb. They are immediately interested and both surprised when Baskerville’s widow pay them a visit and asks Emerson to finish the work of her husband. If he refuses, not wanting to leave his wife and son in England, Peabody, knowing how excited he is for a new adventure, convinces him it’s for the best if he accepts the mission. In no time, they are both ready to leave for Egypt.

When they arrive, they are faced with many problems and treats that make their work even more difficult and feed even more the rumors of an ancient curse. Tired of this situation, the Emersons finally decide to get involved in this investigation and find the responsible behind the mystery.

The second book of this series is as delicious as the first one. Amelia Peabody continues to exude intelligence and sharp humor. Her reflections about her son are hilarious! The child is a little genius and develops very quickly to the amazement of both his parents. Peters does an excellent job describing him and I can perfectly imagine the little boy’s “chilling and calculating look” when he tries to manipulate his parents. I get the feeling this little Ramses is going to have some extraordinary adventures!

The chemistry between Peabody and Emerson is intact. All their dialogues, conversations and disputes produce sparks. It’s like watching an extraordinary final at Roland Garros. They know each other well but they still can surprise each other.

The story is fast-paced and the descriptions of the Egypt of those times are magnificent, making you feel as you were present during the events.

Highly recommended to any reader who enjoys a good mystery and must-read to all Amelia Peabody fans.

Grade: 4.5/5

Period Drama Challenge

Lights, Camera…History! is organizing a Period Drama Challenge. Of course, I just had to participate! I wanted to use this challenge to try to watch new things and find less known period dramas set in other countries than the US, UK or even France. Let’s see if I can reach my goal!

I choose the level Undoubtedly Obsessed and the themes All Over the World and Victorian Mist. Can’t wait to start!

Date: 01/07/2009 – 01/07/2010