Hi Hannah, just to to say I always enjoy reading these each week. Still fairly new to substack, but your weekly letters and the writing notes of Hattie Crisell are great and keep my inbox happy, especially on Mondays when I'm sitting in the office wondering what I'm doing with myself. I am intending to start my own musings in a substack, but I haven't quite gotten to that yet...
I've only ever been to Paris in the summer when it is bustling and bursting with life and you can sit and eat and drink outdoors late into the evening warmth. Pretty magical. So, yeah, the grey sky and cold would make it feel quite different and bleak. If it's any consolation, down here in Melbourne it's much the same -- the joy of blue skies in summer, beers in the warm evenings, so much good food (having said that, today and this week are decidedly average and overcast!) but in winter I find it depressing. It doesn't help that no-one understands how to insulate houses here. Double glazing is still some futuristic technology that hasn't ever properly caught on. Baffling. Memories of cosy days by a fireplace back in England carry a special charm.
Pinterest absolutely does seem the most benign of the social media platforms. It's a great space to just search for things and see so much inspiring art/photography.
In my own personal book club, I just started reading (correction: devouring) Bret Easton Ellis' new book, The Shards. I'm writing that because I want to tell everyone about the book, to talk about how I'm all-consumed by Bret's supposed coming-of-age story in the early 80s of LA, how I'm seemingly there *with* Bret and experiencing that vacuous and numb teenage life of privileged upper class teens in the midst of a lot of crazy things. It's as messed up, uncomfortable and dark as his other works, but it's an entrancing read and I just want to talk to anyone about it who'll listen! (So, sorry, forced you and anyone else who's read this to listen just then, apologies.)
Thank you for writing, Nathan! And for your kind feedback 💐
I agree that England is particularly cosy in winter. There's a proper winter culture of pubs and fireplaces and hot cups of tea -- not like our summer-craving cities!
Thank you for the recommendation of The Shards! I almost bought it at an English language bookshop in Paris the other day and now am encouraged to go back and do so. I'll report back! Thanks for reading and hope you're having a good week
Lovely to read your introduction, as I’m relatively new here and to Substack after setting up my own newsletter.
I’d love to hear of any recommendations as we land in Paris for a week at the end of February.
We were married at the church near Jules Joffrin metro some 20+ years ago and spend lots of time in and around the city (my husband is French). Like you, we’re always looking for something just below the skin of Paris.
Ahh that’s amazing! It’s such a lovely area :) We always visit and have a mulled wine/coffee in Le Nord Sud.
Thanks so much for the links, Hannah, I’ll check out these on my lunch hour.
We’re planning to stay Montmartre (by the cemetery) this year. We stayed in Barbes last time we were in Paris but don’t think we would again 😥 I ended up involved in a pickpocketing incident on the metro but the thieves were being watched by undercover gens d’armes so didn’t get far (how lucky was I!)
Wonderful newsletter. So much life-wisdom. I love the photo collection. Entire newsletter, a keeper!
Coincidently to last week, the NY Times is asking, "Are the French Lazy?" This quote from the 16th century should be read daily from age 6 to age 30: "Weary of the servitude of the courts,” Mr. Montaigne declared, “I am determined to retire in order to spend what little remains of my life, now more than half run out … consecrated to my freedom, tranquillity, and leisure.”
Hello! And I received your email, and will reply very soon. I hope your quest is going well ;)
Hear hear Montaigne I say! I've been reading more about the retirement debate in France this week and might write a bit more this Sunday about it. Super interesting and holds a mirror up to lots of things the whole world is dealing with: over-work, work vs. leisure, the point of work etc.
Thank you doe reading and for writing back. Hope you're having a good week!
Lovely Hannah! Particularly good to see a baby Hannah in the sweet photos of you with your penfriend. Love my Sunday penfriend. Look forward to next weeks !
Hi Hannah, just to to say I always enjoy reading these each week. Still fairly new to substack, but your weekly letters and the writing notes of Hattie Crisell are great and keep my inbox happy, especially on Mondays when I'm sitting in the office wondering what I'm doing with myself. I am intending to start my own musings in a substack, but I haven't quite gotten to that yet...
I've only ever been to Paris in the summer when it is bustling and bursting with life and you can sit and eat and drink outdoors late into the evening warmth. Pretty magical. So, yeah, the grey sky and cold would make it feel quite different and bleak. If it's any consolation, down here in Melbourne it's much the same -- the joy of blue skies in summer, beers in the warm evenings, so much good food (having said that, today and this week are decidedly average and overcast!) but in winter I find it depressing. It doesn't help that no-one understands how to insulate houses here. Double glazing is still some futuristic technology that hasn't ever properly caught on. Baffling. Memories of cosy days by a fireplace back in England carry a special charm.
Pinterest absolutely does seem the most benign of the social media platforms. It's a great space to just search for things and see so much inspiring art/photography.
In my own personal book club, I just started reading (correction: devouring) Bret Easton Ellis' new book, The Shards. I'm writing that because I want to tell everyone about the book, to talk about how I'm all-consumed by Bret's supposed coming-of-age story in the early 80s of LA, how I'm seemingly there *with* Bret and experiencing that vacuous and numb teenage life of privileged upper class teens in the midst of a lot of crazy things. It's as messed up, uncomfortable and dark as his other works, but it's an entrancing read and I just want to talk to anyone about it who'll listen! (So, sorry, forced you and anyone else who's read this to listen just then, apologies.)
Thank you for writing, Nathan! And for your kind feedback 💐
I agree that England is particularly cosy in winter. There's a proper winter culture of pubs and fireplaces and hot cups of tea -- not like our summer-craving cities!
Thank you for the recommendation of The Shards! I almost bought it at an English language bookshop in Paris the other day and now am encouraged to go back and do so. I'll report back! Thanks for reading and hope you're having a good week
Hah, that's great! Well, I hope you find it an interesting (if, as always with Bret, confronting) read if you do pick it up.
Thank you Nathan!
Oh hi Hattie :)
(I promise I will make it to an in-writing live session soon. The timings are good, I just need to make my own time to be there.)
Hello Nathan! I loved reading your words, especially how you give us a feel of how your summers and winters feel. But seriously- no double glazing!!
Happy Monday in the office 🙂
Lovely to read your introduction, as I’m relatively new here and to Substack after setting up my own newsletter.
I’d love to hear of any recommendations as we land in Paris for a week at the end of February.
We were married at the church near Jules Joffrin metro some 20+ years ago and spend lots of time in and around the city (my husband is French). Like you, we’re always looking for something just below the skin of Paris.
Looking forward to your future newsletters :)
Hi Nat! Thank you for writing.😊 Ahh how lovely, I live pretty near to Jules Joffrin, it's such a charming area! I wrote this guide to lesser-known spots in Montmartre that you might like! https://suitcasemag.com/articles/pocket-guide-montmartre-paris-france
There's also my 48 hours guide for The Telegraph here! https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/france/paris/articles/paris-travel-guide/
Hope that's helpful and merci beaucoup for reading.
Ahh that’s amazing! It’s such a lovely area :) We always visit and have a mulled wine/coffee in Le Nord Sud.
Thanks so much for the links, Hannah, I’ll check out these on my lunch hour.
We’re planning to stay Montmartre (by the cemetery) this year. We stayed in Barbes last time we were in Paris but don’t think we would again 😥 I ended up involved in a pickpocketing incident on the metro but the thieves were being watched by undercover gens d’armes so didn’t get far (how lucky was I!)
Thanks again :)
Le Nord Sud is so charming! Oh no sorry to hear about the pickpocket ! Hope you have a fabulous time this time sans incidents 🙏
Thanks, Hannah. Hoping to make new Parisian memories!
Wonderful newsletter. So much life-wisdom. I love the photo collection. Entire newsletter, a keeper!
Coincidently to last week, the NY Times is asking, "Are the French Lazy?" This quote from the 16th century should be read daily from age 6 to age 30: "Weary of the servitude of the courts,” Mr. Montaigne declared, “I am determined to retire in order to spend what little remains of my life, now more than half run out … consecrated to my freedom, tranquillity, and leisure.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/29/opinion/french-lazy.html?unlocked_article_code=HRj8oZmTpd7yyJtzbWoFmU2UdAZVZrBKXkgmFzkzp7CV4cZVvL1t11fL6uLVKNn_BLnXqC6jGm2Umws502Yn6TLo1uchOMWUyrM38CxpQFrDXJEeAQBtd2R2sFZmBOX7WsmJdUBlDU2q7GcgCrr-4xGH22haqdL5_bqCTd3c0SMPhBCUalzfM3G5Vtj9jk1JVpO2k1uUt5k4ItNeREzkXn1W1u0wtyTp8W3M-vj56EzdQ99SZV7CaXOVt7vAX4WOKqEOghbh1ncDWeULT-UweYCjBZdoNXtJpuGdhV89HvqF8C9dofcbsLRuBJ2ytl9_Fk8Jcp8&smid=share-url
Hello! And I received your email, and will reply very soon. I hope your quest is going well ;)
Hear hear Montaigne I say! I've been reading more about the retirement debate in France this week and might write a bit more this Sunday about it. Super interesting and holds a mirror up to lots of things the whole world is dealing with: over-work, work vs. leisure, the point of work etc.
Thank you doe reading and for writing back. Hope you're having a good week!
OMG!! I'm a goofy old man! Don't indulge me! Your writing/topics/history are fantastic. My mom was French!
Love these thoughts on Pinterest! Fascinating. I did not know you were such a Pinterester and am now going to be badgering you to show me your boards.
With pleasure! I think you might particularly appreciate this one: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/hanmeltzer/cool-kids-and-where-to-find-them/
You know me so well
Lovely Hannah! Particularly good to see a baby Hannah in the sweet photos of you with your penfriend. Love my Sunday penfriend. Look forward to next weeks !
Thank you Karen! Love from Babs and me x