Lunch in Paris

So it's the middle of February in Pennsylvania and all I see around me is snow. It's around this time of year- (when the days are slightly longer than they were in December but the cold and gray skies force you to crawl back into hibernation until the real Spring emerges) that I start getting Under the Tuscan Sun syndrome. You know, where you just want to pick up and run away to a far away land .............at least until the sun creeps out again.Then I picked up Lunch in Paris. I have long been entranced by France; its culture , history, and language. Like most of middle class America, I have never traveled to Europe due to cost, but its definitely on my bucket list. I am in love with the idea of France. It has long been the "happy place" where I go to when I get too stressed out. The Paris of my mind is where I fill my days comfortably reading at a café while sipping cafe au lait, shopping at the local market to make meals that American foodies would die for, and admiring the architecture and history of a beautiful city. In my head, I can speak perfect French; an eloquent, sensual language and I am ultimately relaxed with the world around me.This book definitely quenched my thirst for all things French. Although the author led somewhat of a charmed life, she is still relatable and allows you to be in her moment. The book covers her and her French husband's courtship, years together in Paris, and the process of growth as the author finds out how this new culture fits into her life and how it shapes her into who she is and what she wants to become. What I liked best about the book was a it was an insider account at the differences between American and French society and completely unbiased.By simple reflection the author was able to pose such interesting questions such as what could we as Americans do that the European's do to improve our lives and the way we view each other? Was the author doing the right thing living a relaxed life knowing that she was brought up on the American way of judging self worth based on academic and professional successes?Now, let's get to the food. If I can't be in France, food is one way to bring France to me. Of course food is important to the French and the author's important moments are punctuated by great cooking and family gatherings. As she learned French cooking, she learned more and more about herself and those around her. The author was ingenious by adding the recipes after each chapter. If not just to help you understand her journey better but to get you to keep the book for the recipes!I highly recommend this book, if only just to see life through someone else's eyes for a moment.I am definitely inspired to be a part of the author's Paris, if only via my stove.

Can't wait to try the recipes. I love the story not all romance is the same. For 2 people from different cultures to find their way and work with each other to make it work is beautiful

Lunch in Paris is a real story. Sure, you have the normal Paris-colored glasses on while reading, but it's not all pastries and walks along the Seine. It's that and real life.Elizabeth met Gwendal while she was living in London (she's from New York). They did the long-distance thing for a while (weekends in Paris? Yes please!) and after two years she took the plunge to move into his cozy Parisian apartment with him.She shares her struggles with learning French, moving to a foreign country, making new friends, and figuring out what she wants to do job wise. She talks about learning the French attitude of doing what makes you happy versus doing what will earn the most money (as we tend to do in the US), and teaches her husband the anything-is-possible attitude many Americans have. It made sense to me that most of the people in their social circle or those they met didn't automatically start talking about what they did for a living; really, who wants to do that? I'm going to find a way to tell new people I meet about my passion for books, my blog, starting a ladies comic book club, and my cats before I talk about where I am stuck from 8-5 each weekday.Then, there's the food. Elizabeth does a beautiful job taking us on a walk through the market with her and explaining her troubles in trying to recreate her favorites from home with what is available in Paris. Several recipes are included that were part of stories in the same chapter. She also emphasizes what little quantities the french eat; they deny themselves nothing by eating very small portions. I'm working on this! Though it would help if the quality of food were as good as it is over there...I have already started reading her next book, Picnic in Provence. I recommend them both!

Elizabeth Bard went to Paris and fell in love with a Frenchman and with Paris. This book is her memoir of the early days of their romance, their marriage, and their life in Paris. She does a wonderful job of keeping the story light and enjoyable even as she deals with the more difficult issues that she faced as an American choosing to live in a different country with a different language and a significantly different culture. Living in Paris is obviously much different than just visiting, but living in Paris with a French husband is also much different than living in Paris with an American husband as expats. On top of everything else, she is also a young woman trying to figure out what to do professionally. It is a very personal story that also provides insight into finding friends in a new city. It is never easy to build a new circle of friends from scratch. The undertaking is even trickier with language and cultural issues. There is no whining as our author embraces her choices and works to make them successful. The book is full of recipes which is terrific since so much of her French life is around the table. I enjoyed revisiting so many familiar places in Paris and in Brittany. Her writing makes you feel as if you are walking at her side in the market, at Galeries Lafayette, or Dehillerin or sitting at her table. This book ends with another big transition as they move to a small town in Provence. We will be heading to that area in a few months so I am sure that I will enjoy her next book with a personal interest again. I bought the book on a Kindle deal, and it was more than worth the purchase price.

Lunch in Paris was our September #IllSeeYouInParisBook . This memoir reads like a love story… a love story about food! Don't get me wrong, there's an actual love story in there too. 3 love stories actually; 1 with the French food, 1 with the French man, and 1 with the country. Although the latter might have been a love-hate relationship at least at times. Reading or listening to this book will make you want to rush out & start cooking, or at least eating French food 💕😋

I got this book for my 13 year old niece who is madly in love with Paris. She loves the book but because she enjoys cooking, she is thrilled to have this book. It's a two in one book. A love story but also plenty of recipes. I cannot wait to visit her and eat everything she cooks! She LOVES IT!

I LOVED this book! I had found the second one at another retailer, but really wanted to read the first one before I got into the second and I’m so glad I did. I was engaged right away, laughed my head off, want to eat everything described and of course wanted to move their immediately. Ended up buying all of her books because she is a gem!

A charming, hilarious, and soulful tale of adventure, self-discovery and love. Read it and then run, don't walk, to get the sequel - A Picnic in Provence. The descriptions of meals, however small, are mouth-watering and make one enormously grateful for the accompanying recipes.

The story makes Paris come alive for the reader. You read about shopping for dinner, experience the dinner, and get the recipe. You meet her family and by the end of the book you want to be invited to their next family occasion.

Well written and lovely recipes although I take issue with calling bi-polar people “sick”