Eye Prefer Paris Book of the Month: The Velvet Hours by Alyson Richman

I love to read books. Unfortunately I don’t read as many books as I would like to and read only about 8-10 a year, usually on vacation or on a long flight or train ride.

A friend of mine gave me a Kindle for Christmas and it completely changed my reading habits. It used to be I would start to read a book at bedtime and would be asleep within ten minutes. The next day I would not remember a thing I read. For some reason with the Kindle, maybe it’s because of the light from the screen, I now read for hours on end at bedtime. In fact last week I read for five nights straight instead of watching television, which is a miracle considering what a television addict I am.

I want to keep up my renewed fondness of reading and would to love to share it with you. I thought it would be fun to start a new monthly feature, Eye Prefer Paris Book of the Month. Every month I will choose a book about either Paris or France and invite you to read the book with me. The following month I will post my review of the book plus your comments. I will choose all types of books- novels, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, humor, memoirs, history and classic French books translated into English.
The first book will be The Velvet Hours by Allyson Richman. Here is the description:

As Paris teeters on the edge of the German occupation, a young French woman closes the door to her late grandmother’s treasure-filled apartment, unsure if she’ll ever return. 



An elusive courtesan, Marthe de Florian cultivated a life of art and beauty, casting out all recollections of her impoverished childhood in the dark alleys of Montmartre. With Europe on the brink of war, she shares her story with her granddaughter Solange Beaugiron, using her prized possessions to reveal her innermost secrets. Most striking of all are a beautiful string of pearls and a magnificent portrait of Marthe painted by the Italian artist Giovanni Boldini.

As Marthe’s tale unfolds, like velvet itself, stitched with its own shadow and light, it helps to guide Solange on her own path. 

Inspired by the true account of an abandoned Parisian apartment, Alyson Richman brings to life Solange, the young woman forced to leave her fabled grandmother’s legacy behind to save all that she loved.

The publisher has generously offered a giveaway of the book. The first person to comment on the book on www.eyepreferparis.com will receive a copy of The Velvet Hours. Please note the giveaway is only valid for U.S. residents.

I also have an extra copy of the book for someone in Paris. Please email me at rn88@rcn.com to arrange picking up the book.

I am open to suggestions for books and it can be any category as long as the book’s theme is either Paris or France.

What books would you like to read for the Eye Prefer Paris Book of the Month?

Next month I will organize a meet-up for the Book of the Month at café in Paris. I would love for you to join me.

Happy reading!

Click here to order The Velvet Hours or the Amazon icon below.

Eye Prefer Paris Photos

I am happy to announce a new series of Eye Prefer Paris photos for sale just in time for the holidays. Give the gift of Paris to for your Francophile friends, relatives, colleagues and co-workers.

• I’ve listed 20 new photos on my Etsy page for easy shopping.
• Photo prints come in two sizes, 8”X10”, $35 each plus shipping and 11”X14”, $50 each, plus shipping.
• They are printed on Fuji crystal Archive metallic paper with rich satin gloss finish and are unsigned and unframed.
• Shipping is $6 per photo in continental U.S. and shipping time is 3-5 days via USPS.
• I can also ship them UPS or Fedex for an extra charge.
• If you are ordering photos as a gift, I can write a personal note card if you send me your text.

Click here to see full selection of images.  
https://www.etsy.com/shop/EyePreferParis?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Below are some sample images.

 Eye Prefer Paris Postcards

I am thrilled to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Postcards, a 3, 6 or 12-month subscription service where the subscriber receives three physical postcards of my iconic Paris photos every month. Each month will have a specific theme, from architectural street scenes to romantic outdoor cafes to beautiful gardens to unique shots of iconic monuments. Each mailing will include two postcards in color and one in black & white or sepia, beautifully packaged in a special French Blue postcard holder with a custom designed seal.

Each 6” X 4.25” traditional size postcard is printed on thick matte coated card stock, similar to traditional vintage postcard stock that enhances the vibrancy of every image.

Only $30 for a 3-month subscription plus shipping or

Only $60 for a 6 month subscription (plus shipping)or

$110 for a 12-month subscription (plus shipping)

Click here to order a 12-month subscription from my Etsy store

Click here to order a 6-month subscription from my Etsy store

Click here to order a 3-month subscription from my Etsy store

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.

 Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com 

  Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour

Comments

[Susan]

This sounds like a great book! I agree about the Kindle -- it's also changed my reading habits for the better.

[Rick]

I highly recommend Cara Black's Aimée Léduc mystery novels featuring a female Paris-based private investigator.

[bonnie]

Richard,
A great idea! I just ordered the book. Always on the look-out for books about Paris or France. Eager to read and share thoughts with your readers

[Sheri]

I am reading/writing on my Kindle right now. I will definitely be adding this book to my Paris collection. I have read most of the Cara Blacks and reccomend PARIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA by Nicolas Barreau.