book binge à la français

Romance, magic, mystery, and mayhem: Midnight in Paris was a magnetic film that captured place and the condition of nostalgia in a poignant and elegant fashion.  Enhanced by its talented and attractive cast of characters, the movie focuses on Gil Pender (Owen Wilson), a writer attempting to find inspiration while on vacation with his fiancé, Inez (Rachel McAdams).  Having never been to Paris, I indulged in fantasies as a montage of picturesque Parisian streets and alleys leisurely graced the screen.  One night, as Pender explores the city, he drunkenly stumbles upon a wonderful secret.  Immersed in culture and a fantasy of inexplicable fortune, he draws inspiration for his novel from his nightly adventures.

After seeing the movie, I was desperate to A.) learn more about Paris in the ’20s and B.) visit the City of Light myself!  I decided to search for a few books that would satisfy my craving for French affairs.  Though a trip in the near future is not in the cards, I can still dream of crêpes, baguettes, accordions, beautiful art, simple chic outfits, the Eiffel tower, and macarons.  Ooh, je veux aller au Paris!

(Clockwise, from top left)

Paris Secrets: Architecture, Interiors, Quartiers, Corners (Janelle McCulloch)

The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway: The Finca Vigia Edition (Ernest Hemingway)

Pablo Picasso (Philippe Dagen)

Parisian Interiors: Bold, Elegant, Refined (Barbara Stoeltie, Rene Stoeltie, Jacques Garcia)

Paris Mon Amour (Jean-Claude Gautrand)

Café Society: Socialites, Patrons, and Artists 1920-1960 (Thierry Coudert)

This Side of Paradise (F. Scott Fitzgerald)

Man Ray in Paris (Erin C. Garcia)

Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange (Ines de la Fressange)

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (Taschen’s 25th Anniversary Special Edition) (Gilles N’Ret, Ingo F. Walther)

(Photos, via Google)