Packing for Paris

Posted on April 15, 2015April 15, 2015 by Valorie Grace Hallinan

I try to make my traveling adventures reading adventures, too. We’re headed to Paris to see our son, with a two-day stop in London, my first visit to both cities.

Then we’ll go to Metz, France for a couple of days, with a road trip to Luxembourg City. In World War II, my father fought in the battle of Metz, and we think we’ve figured out approximately where he was wounded (on November 14, 1944). So we’ll investigate and see what we find.

My father spent a weekend in Luxembourg City just before the battle and had an interesting story to tell about that, which I’ll share in an upcoming post.

Besides Gertrude Stein, Irene Nemirovsky and our trusty travel guides, I’m bringing Henry Miller and Ernest Hemingway. (No books related to London because I won’t be able to contain myself in the bookstores.)

Tropic of Cancer book cover — One of the most banned books in history

I’ll share my impressions, literary and otherwise, in upcoming posts.

Which books or authors would you recommend to a reader visiting France? Please comment!

Published by Valorie Grace Hallinan

Writer, blogger at Books Can Save a Life, about the healing and enriching power of books. At work on a memoir about growing up with a mother who is mentally ill. A former book editor and medical librarian, my work has been published in Great Lakes Review, Library Journal, and other publications. View all posts by Valorie Grace Hallinan

10 thoughts on “Packing for Paris”

Debra Marrs April 16, 201511:05 am Reply

Have a great trip, Val. I owe you my list of fave books set in Paris. I’ve ready a number of them… need to get out my list to share. I hope you find everything you’re looking for in the UK and France with much joy and ease! Can’t wait to hear more when you return.
1. Debra Marrs April 16, 201511:06 am Reply
  
  Oops, typo: I’ve READ a number… 🙂
  1. Valorie Grace Hallinan April 16, 201511:07 am
    
    I would love to know your list!
Judy @ newenglandgardenandthread April 16, 20158:06 am Reply

We spent a week in London a few years back and a day in Paris. I want to go back to both and visit some more. 🙂 We’re headed to Luxembourg in a couple of weeks. Enjoy your trip.
1. Valorie Grace Hallinan April 16, 20158:23 am Reply
  
  Interesting that you’re going to Luxembourg too, I don’t usually hear of people going there.
  1. Judy @ newenglandgardenandthread April 16, 20158:31 am
    
    My uncle who died in WWII is buried in an American Cemetery there. It has been on my bucket list.
kaggsysbookishramblings April 15, 201512:53 pm Reply

Jealous! Have a wonderful time and take some of Colette’s later works (or indeed anything by her!)
1. Valorie Grace Hallinan April 15, 201512:54 pm Reply
  
  Thanks, of course, Colette!
bonnie yannie April 15, 201512:31 pm Reply

I KNOW YOU WILL HAVE AN AWESOME TRIP !!!!!!! Somewtime i need a correct email address for you. please. ENJOY , ENJOY !!!!! Love Bonnie Y
sumlynnnguyen April 15, 201512:25 pm Reply

I don’t really have a book to recommend for your trip. But I hope you have safe flight and fun trip!