Nina
George, prize-winning
and bestselling author and journalist who published 26 novels, mysteries and
science thrillers as well as over a hundred short stories and more than 600
newspaper columns, wrote The Little Paris
Bookshop, first published in German as "Das Lavendelzimmer" on
May 2, 2013. This newly translated German bestseller is a warmhearted,
occasionally sentimental account of letting go of the old loves to make room
for new.
Set in Provence, this sensual novel deals with heartbreak, solace and the
love of books. Translated into 335 languages, ranked among the top ten novels
on Spiegel Magazine’s bestseller list
for fiction since May 2013, and entered as well the New York Times bestseller list.
Jean Perdu has lived in a time capsule of his own grief. Twenty-one years
ago, his lover, Manon, left, leaving behind only a letter to explain
herself—which Jean never opened. Ever since, Jean has devoted his life to his
floating bookstore, the Literary
Apothecary, a barge docked on the Seine. He can diagnose a shopper's ills
(ennui, disappointment, a range of fears) and select the correct literary
remedy. When heartbroken Catherine moves into his building, Jean brings her an
old table and a stack of books to cure her crying.
In the table, Catherine finds Manon's unopened letter and demands Jean read
it, or she will. The two become enamored with one another, and Jean, buoyed by
Catherine, finally reads Manon's letter, but the truth is heartbreaking. Manon
returned to her home in Provence (and her husband—it was complicated) to
succumb to an illness she had been hiding. Her last request was for Jean to
visit before she died. Jean, overwhelmed this news, lifts the Literary Apothecary's anchorto
finally make the journey to Manon.
Stowed away is his neighbor Max, a young novelist running away from his
fame. The two navigate the canals of France selling books for food, engaging in
adventures small, large, all against the backdrop of quaint villages, and
bittersweet memories. They take on some passengers: a roguish Italian who has
been searching the waterways for his long-lost sweetheart; and a renowned
novelist. As Jean makes his way to Manon's home (all the while writing love
letters to Catherine), he prepares to ask for forgiveness—from the memory of
Manon, from her husband, and from himself.
A charming novel that believes in the healing properties of fiction,
romance, and a summer in the south of France. Nina
George's lyrical tribute to love, literature, people, living, dying, and all
things French was a privilege to read. This novel is a homage to the vanishing
independent bookseller, but it is much more than that. It is a reflection on
love and death and other deep subjects. It is also a love letter to France.
The winter solstice, the rebirth of the Sun, is an important turning
point, as it marks the increase in the hours of daylight. The solstice is the moment the sun is shining farthest to the south, directly over the Tropic of Capricorn. This is the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year. Although the solstice marks official "midwinter" on my side of the globe, this day is a welcome to the light.
Every
moment I do my best to learn from every experience. Human beings tend
to focus only on positive OR negative experiences. Negative experiences eventually
become positive if one is paying attention. I do not make resolutions. They are unrealistic expectations and expectations lead to disappointment. Instead, at the close of every year, welcoming a new year, I ask myself: What have you learned? 1.
That all of us are valuable parts of one race, the human one, with beautiful, diverse parts that make life interesting and exciting. We are a microcosm of an immense grand stage, yet we think we are the epicenter of everything. We all have numerous purposes, some yet to be discovered. Do not discount
your own being. None of us are greater than another. 2.
That an immense ever growing desire to learn about everything is a rare
and beautiful way to be. 3.
Not everyone will understand your struggle, outlook, opinions, beliefs
and especially, your heart and soul. That is okay. Stay by those who do. Learn
from those who do not. Believe in yourself first. 4. Move on when any experience discounts the importance of your own being. Do what you must to progress, grieve, heal, then teach others through your actions. Stand up for yourself. 5.
Love is wondrous. It exists. Do not be afraid to show others that
you care for and love them. Your heart is precious. Yes, there is pain in life, this is how the universe operates. Keep your heart open. The world needs more of this. Most importantly, you need yourself. 6.
Love yourself fully. Take care of your mental, physical, spiritual and emotional health. Be proud of and for yourself. You must be your own supporter first and foremost. We are only human. We are supposed to make mistakes. We
are not perfect, we were not created to be omniscient. This is what
being human is all about. Bliss, pain, progression, repeat. 7.
If you want to create, then do it. What are you waiting for? You have
the ability to do whatever you want. There is no time stamp on
creation. Support all genres of art wherever you are, however you can. All art heals. 8. Nature is a natural healer. Get out in it whenever you are able. Place your bare feet in grass, dirt, sand and water. Place your palms on the barks of trees, hug a tree, plant a tree. Start a garden, put plants in your home, teach those around you of the wonder and importance of nature. Pick up rocks, stones, twigs, shells, whatever is of this Earth. Document the beauty. We must be more kind to Mother Nature. Without her, we cease to exist.
9.
Be responsible for your behaviors, words, and actions. Say sorry. It does not matter if one says it back. Be mindful of how you communicate and think. Words. Hurt. Be kind to yourself and to others. Those meant to stay by you, do. Allow other doors to stay shut. You did your part. 10.
Be a child! Run through sprinklers, make snow angels, lay
beneath trees, walk in the rain, get out in the sunshine. Be silly, have fun, laugh and smile. Do not ever allow anyone to cause you to lose
your wonder. 11. We have 24 hours every single day to decide to do something lasting while on Earth. Whatever you do, large or small, make it count. 12.
Cease obsessing about how you look, what you did or did not do,
thinking about the past, blaming yourself for things you had no control
over, you cannot control everything. Do
what is healing. There are amazing people and experiences waiting
for you. 13.
Hug those you care about. Tell them you care. Show them you care.
Recognizing another human soul is crucial for progression on both ends.
Bring more happiness into the world and to yourself. Intention is EVERYTHING. 14.
Some people will never move past their own hurt. If you are unable to
make a positive impression, move on. You tried. It is up to them now. 15. You are not a doormat. Say it! --> I am not a doormat. 16.
If you are in need of help, get it, ask. If you can help another, do it! Cease being ashamed of being human.
We have all screwed up. So what? If you never screw up, you never learn
lessons. It is NORMAL to have a wide range of human emotions. 17.
Tell the children around you that you love them. Hug them. Give them confidence.
Motivate them. Teach them how to be responsible, active parts of their world. Teach them what you know. Show them through your experience.
Allow them to teach and guide you. You were given this role as an adult because you were chosen as a guide to another
human soul. Your job is to help them be the best version of themselves
possible.
18. Be grateful for your family. Make sure they are aware of this.
Some people have no one. 19. Learn about different languages, cultures, sexual genders, faiths and beliefs. We have a wondrous world. It is okay to disagree with anything that does not suit you. It is not
okay to attack others that live, look, and practice differently than you do.
20. Open your mind. Keep it open. Wherever you are, remember, if you do your best with what you have, that is all that matters. If you can do more, fantastic.
for this exact moment of existence i disassociate myself from humanity
this time right now i am unable to fathom the hoops human beings jump through to cause madness in anothers life
the Earth is dying people are starving beaten, battered then murdered
human rights are non existent
Utopia is not so bad, not really complete absence of natural sunlight genetically harvested food domed cities and Big Brother reincarnated as a new prophet
(the polar bear is not so damned)
i disassociate myself from humans although i am just that i am unable to identify with this new breed of hatred
i simply wish to finish my own existence in an absinthe fog or pill induced slumber
maybe a fall down a rabbit hole is not so insane and insanity is not as crazy as perceived
maybe Alice was a lesson maybe I need a new pill to cause me to speak differently for it seems my voice no longer reaches anyone speaking any "known" language
maybe the polar bear might understand me as we roam together both barefoot clad in fur thirsting for a new land pads of feet drying beneath a poisoned sun
maybe he has secrets to tell me and i shall ride bareback seeking solace in wilderness upon such majestic beast where there is no speech
