I stumbled upon a gem of a book on Instagram recently, the title of the book is The Little Paris Bookshop written by Nina George. She is a German author who has written more than 26 books. The Little Paris Bookshop was written in German and translated to English by Simon Pare. This international bestseller was first published in 2013.
Small excerpt from the book:
On a beautifully restored barge on the Seine, Jean Perdu runs a bookshop; or rather a ‘literary apothecary’, for this bookseller possesses a rare gift for sensing which books will soothe the troubled souls of his customers. The only person he is unable to cure, it seems, is himself.
The story begins in Paris with Jean Perdu, a book lover and owner of a beautifully restored book barge- ‘Literary Apothecary’ on Seine river. He has an inborn gift of knowing which is the best book for his customers. Like medicine in pharmacy, he prescribes books in his apothecary which helps and makes his customers feel better.
Despite his ability to cure others, he does not have a remedy or book to heal himself. Things change with the arrival of a new neighbor in his apartment building on Rue Montagnard. And Jean Perdu unmoors the floating book barge and embarks on a journey in search of the past…..
Will Jean Perdu have a happy ending?
I loved the book, how can I not like a book about books. The Little Paris Bookshop is not only about the power of books, it is also about emotions, grief, love, facing death friendship, food and travel. Totally enchanted by this beautiful and intense book.
Some of my favorite quotes from the book:
“When it comes down to it, you only regret the things you didn’t do.”
“Books, the only remedy for countless, undefined afflictions of the soul.”
“Never listen to fear! Fear makes you stupid.”
“I need to cry some more. I’ll drown if I don’t….sometimes you’re swimming in unwept tears and you’ll go under if you store them up inside.”
“We are immortal in the dreams of our loved ones. And our dead live on after their deaths in our dreams. Dreams are interface between the worlds, between time and space.”
“Nobody would ever wise up if they hadn’t at some stage been young and stupid.”
“Memories are like wolves. You can’t lock them away and hope they leave you alone.”
“Books keep stupidity at bay. And vain hopes. And vain men. They undress you with love, strength and knowledge. It’s love from within.”
“Women tell you more about the world. Men only tell you about themselves.”
“Books can do many things, but not everything. We have to live the important things, not read them.”
megsblogged.com 