Welcome to Litsy!

A delightful set of 2 stories. April is in charge of cataloging a vast amount of treasures discovered in an apartment not even opened for 40 years. Can you even imagine that? In tracking down the provenance she discovers the owner‘s diaries. You‘ll live reading that insight into history.

If you loved The Velvet Hours by Alyson Richman, you‘ll love this. Marthe de Florian (in Boldini portrait above) locked her 9th arrondissement apartment door before the Nazis conquered Paris, and never looked back. When a Sotheby‘s expert enters the apartment in early 21st century, she finds treasures there, including boxes of Madame F‘s correspondence....HF
#ParisCityofLight #julyjourneys @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Interesting fact about this novel is that it is based partially on a true story.

I will never stop recommending this book, it is lighthearted, but serious, and a beautiful relaxing read.

For my full thoughts and links to some articles about the true story it's based on see:

https://heartandsoulbooks.blogspot.com/2021/05/marthe.html

Day 21
Recent 🎁 from an old friend; unread. April, an auctioneer at Sotheby‘s, is sent to the 9th arrondissement of Paris. An apartment from WWII has been discovered filled with antiques including a Boldini painting. There she finds 📓 from the former famous tenant, Marthe de Florian.

The summary reminds me of a recently read with a diff setting - The Light Over London by Julia Kelly.

#whatsonyourshelf #tbr #paris #historicalfiction #art

My review of A Paris Apartment, by Michelle Gable (and it‘s based on a true story, which I didn‘t know until I finished the book - fascinating!) #parisapartment #michellegable #booksbrewsandbooze #booksbrewsandboozereviews #booksaboutparis #marthedeflorian #labelleepoque

My review of A Paris Apartment, by Michelle Gable (and it‘s based on a true story, which I didn‘t know until I finished the book - fascinating!) #parisapartment #michellegable #booksbrewsandbooze #booksbrewsandboozereviews #booksaboutparis #marthedeflorian #labelleepoque

My review of A Paris Apartment, by Michelle Gable (and it‘s based on a true story, which I didn‘t know until I finished the book - fascinating!) #parisapartment #michellegable #booksbrewsandbooze #booksbrewsandboozereviews #booksaboutparis #marthedeflorian #labelleepoque

#France #letstraveljuly @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620

Here are 3 books with a setting in Paris, France 🇫🇷

Omg this girl is my new favorite author, I‘ve started spending Saturday‘s in nature reading her novels and I‘m freaking loving it. #bookworm #loveit #newfav #nature

More books I want to get this month.

#kindledeal #kindledeals #ebooksale #monthlydeals

1️⃣ just finished tagged⬆️
2️⃣ a world without you, the velvet hours, come find me
3️⃣ the room on rue amelie, grand central

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

Yet another version of the history behind the discovery of an apartment in 9th arrondissement Paris that had been locked up since before onset of WW2 — and its famous (infamous) occupant Marthe de Florian

Antique furniture appraiser leaves her shaky marriage in the US to catalog a Paris apartment full of 1800s treasures. Finds an unknown painting by a famous artist, salacious diaries, and a charming Frenchman. A day late for #research, but came across this today and am really enjoying the dual storylines so far. Plus, chouquettes! (pic from Serious Eats) #QuotsyFeb19 @tk-421

I enjoy her books.

My favorite was A PARIS APARTMENT.

I actually haven‘t read THE SUMMER I MET JACK.

Which ones have you read?

I‘m a sucker for anything set in Paris so this immediately appealed to me. The story moves from past to present and I found both of the leading ladies to be highly engaging. Beautifully written.

Bastille Day🎉👩🏽‍🍳🎡🎈🔵🔴⚪️💙❤️🍷🧀🥖🥐

This book was chosen by my book group. The concept was good and there were some fascinating facts about Victor Hugo‘s family, the artist Boldini and the life of a demimondaine in Paris of the late 1800s, but the link with the modern story seemed clumsy and over long . Finished it but wasn‘t really engaged.

The book winds between past and present, between two passionate women and their lives. Gable's writing is fresh and compelling, she weaves a romance and mystery into a page-turner.

Gable was inspired by the real find of Marthe de Florian‘s apartment in 2010, full of treasures untouched for seventy years. A charming read about a fascinating history and the woman behind it.

I have not been able to concentrate enough to really read over the last weeks. I‘ve tried but nothing has held my attention. My next attempt is this book... so far so good. And it‘s set in Paris, my dream place ❤️

This book captured my imagination...It takes the reader to a different time and place and alternatively leaves space for you to reflect on your own life. I couldn't wait to finish it so I could discover the whole story and am simultaneously sad because it's over. Well written and highly recommended!

Paris was a destination, yes, but with a thousand little journeys of its own.

I loved it. I cared so much, and I understood the feelings...and the characters, they cared so much for each other, and paid attention, and understood, and took care of each other. And the food! And the antique furniture! And Paris! Paris has never been my favorite, but while reading this book, I loved it. Such a success of writing. I didn't just read this, I lived it.

This was a fascinating book, based on true people--Marthe de Florian and Giovanni Boldini. Michelle Gable weaves together an intriguing story from modern day and flashbacks to the past. 4 ⭐️

Good morning! I think I've finally settled on A Paris Apartment as my next read! I've been wanting to read this for ages, but I'd seen so many negative reviews, I was a bit leery to start it. #currentlyreading

My copy of this book has been loaned to a friend. It did not have this cover, but I thought this one was gorgeous! Based on a true story, a famous courtesan's Paris apartment is discovered unopened after seventy years. #brokedownpalace #junetunz

Nipple Chandeliers at Follies Bergere #whoknew? Also intriguing story of history, art, and how our past shapes us.

I like this author's way with words: "It was not an altogether terrible experience, and there was a pleasant ninety-second slice of time somewhere amongst the grunting."
#bawdy

Bought new pillows and sheets. My bed feels so luxurious I can't wait to snuggle in with a good book. #wildsaturdaynight #inbedby9pm

It's been ages since I last posted here. How are you? 🙂

"He did just spell out the particulars of an incestuous menage a trois in the same breath he used to order wine."
Wow. The things you learn when reading. #itsfrench

"She only wanted to get out a town."
#aprilbookshowers @RealLifeReading #firstlineofcurrentread

Partly because I'm loving making collages & partly because of busy Sat; made my #AprilTBR yesterday. Then I popped in to library to get audio CD(Killed at the Whim of a Hat) for the old vehicle cause Bluetooth connector thingy quit working. Spotted beautiful cover of Paris Aparment and 'needed' as well. So now we are up 2 more. 🤓 #booknerdproblems Definitely #aprilbookshowers @RealLifeReading

I acquired both of these books recently and they're about the same thing! An apartment in Paris that was abandoned and left in its Belle Époque state for 70 years ? anyone have an opinion which I should start with??? Should I read the better one first? And which one is that??

I was surprised to learn that a shuttered Paris apartment full of Belle Époque furniture and paintings belonging to Marthe de Florian really did exist. While that inspiration for the novel was interesting, the interlocking Belle Époque and contemporary tales felt a little too shallow for me and I didn't particularly care for either main character. Not a waste of time, but not great.

Sorry - I pretty much had to post this one.... #paris

An interview with international bestselling author MIchelle Gable for the WomenWritersWomen['s]Books magazine. http://booksbywomen.org/qa-with-michelle-gable/ I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! :)

An interview with international bestselling author MIchelle Gable for the WomenWritersWomen['s]Books magazine. http://booksbywomen.org/qa-with-michelle-gable/ I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! :)

The book contrasted the lives of 2 women in Paris during different periods of time.The mc, April, is a furniture appraiser for auction who has the chance to get to know the woman who owned the apartment through her journals. April is changed by what she learns about life, love and Paris. Enjoyed it.

Loved it. I love books about and in Paris.

A delightful read with twists and turns that I devoured in a day and a half. I was left wanting more!

Loved the chapters from the past especially. Very good.

I loved this! Fascinating look at the auction industry, mysterious apartment, swoonable French setting--everything here makes it a winner.