I’ve been reading again since 2021 and I’m delighted. I can really get away when I’m reading and even if I’m not a big reader (in quantity…but then, everything’s relative of course), I’m glad to have added this pleasure to my daily routine.
This year, I was able to read 17 books (including comics and novels), which remains relatively constant compared with previous years (2023 here and 2022 there). If you’re used to this literary rendezvous here on the blog, you’ll know that I like to do a review of my readings not only to keep track of what I’ve read, but also so that it gives you some ideas and we can share our opinions on this or that book.
SAME READING RITUAL
Last year, I started reading as much as possible in English. This year, I’ve only done it twice (one of which I struggled with…you’ll find out below!). This year, I didn’t want to take the risk of missing out on the subtleties of the text of certain english novels. Last year’s books were much easier to read in Shakespeare’s language, as they were perhaps more dialogue-heavy and less full of description and technical vocabulary.
Anyway, I’m still reading a bit every day (especially in the morning at breakfast or when I have several hours to spare and the weather isn’t great outside = which happens quite often in Paris haha!). So here goes my 2024 reading review!
MY FAVORITES
A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW by AMOR TOWLES
I hesitated to read this novel in V.O. but opted for safety with the French version, knowing that I would then watch the series adapted in V.O. (featuring Ewan McGregor). I really wanted to get the full story before watching the series, and I did. This story about a Russian count condemned to house arrest in a Moscow hotel in the 1920s was surprisingly appealing to me, thanks to the Count’s personality, the description of the place and the amazing story. The series finally convinced me. Read more here.
LE GOURMET SOLITAIRE by JIRŌ TANIGUCHI
Having bought a slightly nicer edition of my favorite comic, I took the opportunity to read it again. It was a great pleasure to rediscover the gourmet peregrinations of this solitary gourmet. During this new reading, I became more interested in his personality, and enjoyed it all the more (more details here)
LES RÊVERIES D’UN GOURMET SOLITAIRE by JIRŌ TANIGUCHI
I felt the same way about Volume 2, which I hadn’t seen before, with our solitary gourmet taking a trip to Paris to discover Algerian cuisine.
LE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY by OSCAR WILDE
Having been inspired by my viewing of the film The Substance, billed as a modern version of The picture of Dorian Gray, I wanted to take a look at Oscar Wilde’s novel. I preferred the French version for fear of missing out on some slightly outdated terms, and found it surprisingly modern (I’ll have to read it in English sometime to compare). I found the story of this ephebe with the cursed portrait breathtaking, and the cult of eternal youth wonderfully conveyed.
HISTORIES : MYSTÈRES ET OBSESSIONS by PAULINE DARLEY et DACOFFEE TIME
A comic book packed with historical and mysterious anecdotes, such as the disappearance of Agatha Christie, L’inconnue de la Seine… You get the satisfaction of learning something, while regularly smiling thanks to the drawings and captions, which spoils nothing.
MY FAVORITE READING MOMENTS
ROMANCING MR.BRIDGERTON by JULIA QUINN (read in English)
This read was strongly influenced by my total crush on season 3 of the BRIDGERTON series (to which I’d been so disenchanted in season 1) to prolong the atmosphere. In terms of literature, it’s closer to a romance than a Jane Austen novel, but the fact that I read it in English meant I didn’t find it too cheesy. The story is more condensed than in the series, focusing solely on the couple Penelope Colin. I found it hard to recognize Colin’s personality in the book (a little more self-confident and charming), but I was carried along nonetheless. Even if I prefer the series, this tome had the merit of prolonging the entertainment.
L’ÉTÉ DE LA SORCIÈRE by KAHO NASHIKI
Childhood memories, the joys of everyday life, transmission, the wisdom of an endearing grandmother: it’s easy and fun to read, but perhaps a little sweet.
LA PENINSULE AUX 24 SAISONS by MAYUMI INABA
A contemplative account of a simple life as it passes through the seasons. Poetry and slowing down are on the program: perfect for summer reading.
NOS PUISSANTES AMITIÉS by ALICE RAYBAUD
A very interesting essay about the place of friendship in society and why it should be considered as important as love. The description of friendship-based lifestyles is a little long, but still very inspiring (More details here)
REGARDE LES LUMIÈRES MON AMOUR de ANNIE ERNAUX
My first Annie Ernaux book, and certainly not my last! This very short one observes a suburban shopping mall and life in a supermarket with accuracy, tenderness and humor. The reflections are piquant and the observations interesting.
BOOKS I MODERATLY ENJOYED
TESTOSTERROR by LUZ
I was inspired to read it by Ambre Chalumeau’s column on Quotidien. I was intrigued by the pitch: a virus hits the world, causing a drop in testosterone levels in men… and panic among the men! Scenes are offbeat, grotesque and hilarious (the details are really funny to watch). However, I was a little disappointed by the somewhat rushed scenario at the end, and the lack of consistency or depth in the characters, which made me less interested in the story, despite the fact that it was based on a great idea.
OUR BELOVED SUMMER TOMES 1&2 by HAN KYOUNG-CHAL and LEE NAEUN
I liked the graphic design and color harmonies more than the story, which I found a little slick. This “enemies to lovers” teenage love story isn’t very original, but may appeal to fans of the genre.
LES DAMES DE KIMOTO by SAWAKO ARIYOSHI (BD by CYRIL BONIN & ROMAN)
I read the novel and then the comic and didn’t care for either. This 3-generation family story sounded interesting, but when I read the whole thing, I couldn’t get attached to the characters or the story.
LE RESTAURANT DES RECETTES OUBLIÉES by HISASHI KASHIWAI
The story of a restaurant that offers to recreate the exact flavor of a favorite dish from the past, allowing the customer to recapture the emotion. Quite easy and pleasant to read. However, I found it to be a mixture of Ito Ogawa’s “Restaurant of regained love” and Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s “Before the coffee gests cold”, but less in-depth and flatter. I felt very little emotion while reading it.
BOOKS I DIDN’T LIKE (OR PERHAPS MISUNDERSTOOD)
THE OVERSTORY by RICHARD POWERS (read in English)
I chose to read this book on the recommendation of my 2 favorite artists Keanu Reeves (who talked about it in an interview) and Dan Smith, the singer of Bastille (who also talked about this book and obviously gives it to all his friends because he loves it so much). I chose to read it in English, but maybe that wasn’t such a good idea as I totally missed it.
I found it extremely difficult to identify all the characters, who spend a good part of the book discovering their backgrounds (not necessarily very interesting), and then all come together around a humanist and ecological cause (more interesting), but unfortunately I couldn’t grasp the subtleties. I’m still amazed that I got to the end of this novel, such was my struggle and such was its length (over 600 pages). I’ll have to try and read it in French one day, but I must admit that it took up so much of my energy and attention in English that I’m not about to do it any time soon! Too bad! You can’t always keep up with your idols!