Paris is for book lovers
Folks love Paris for the romance, museums, food and fashion. But on my visit last week, I was most struck by the rich culture of reading. We stayed in the Latin Quarter, home of the Sorbonne, and there was a bookstore on almost every block. Some were giants, such as Gibert Jeune, which has eight stores in the Place St. Michel; others specialized in topics such as art or architecture.
I also stopped into the nearby Village Voice Bookshop, where Michael Neal helped me select some translated French novels (while recounting his admiration for H.L. Mencken). And I visted quirky Shakespeare & Company, which jams books into every inch of space -- and even offers a couple of free beds for the literarily-inclined.
It was a joy to see so many stores devoted to reading -- and so many people poring over the shelves. How did we lose that here in the United States?
Comments
Welcome back Dave! It sounds like you had a wonderful trip.
Ah, the joys of browsing a bookstore ... I WISH more people would do it.
And by the way, I'm reading Mencken's Notes on Democracy right now. :)
Posted by: Heather J. | December 4, 2008 3:05 PM
David hi!
this blog was mentioned in Shelf Awareness today (www.shelf-awareness.com). Hampden is like a little Paris, don't you think?!!
be well,
susan weis
Posted by: susan weis, breathe books | December 5, 2008 9:42 AM
"It was a joy to see so many stores devoted to reading -- and so many people poring over the shelves. How did we lose that here in the United States?"
How indeed?
It bothers me to know that in this country there are a lot of people who claim that they "hate to read." Sometimes it's understandable if forced in schools, but they hate it even for leisure! Nothing compares to the emotional attachment between a person and a book.
Posted by: Natalie | December 15, 2008 9:48 PM