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Bonjour Tristesse and A Certain Smile
Bonjour Tristesse and A Certain Smile | Françoise Sagan
Bonjour Tristesse is Françoise Sagan's stylish, shimmering and amoral tale of adolescence and betrayal on the French Riviera, published when its author was just eighteen years old. It tells the story of Cécile, who leads a carefree life with her widowed father and his young mistresses until, one hot summer on the Riviera, he decides to remarry - with devastating consequences. In A Certain Smile, which is also included in this volume, Dominique, a young woman bored with her lover, begins an encounter with an older man that unfolds in unexpected and troubling ways. Both novellas have been freshly translated by Heather Lloyd and include an introduction by Rachel Cusk. Françoise Sagan was born in France in 1935. Bonjour tristesse (1954), published when she was just eighteen, became a succès de scandale and even earned its author a papal denunciation. Sagan went on to write many other novels, plays and screenplays, and died in 2004. Heather Lloyd was previously Senior Lecturer in French at the University of Glasgow, and has published work on both Bonjour tristesse and Françoise Sagan. Rachel Cusk is the author of Saving Agnes (1993), which won the Whitbread First Novel Award; A Life's Work: On Becoming a Mother (2001); and Arlington Park (2006), shortlisted for the 2007 Orange Prize for Fiction. Her most recent book is Aftermath: On Marriage and Separation (2012). 'Funny, thoroughly immoral and thoroughly French' The Times
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review
vlwelser
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Pickpick

This is a classic. Something about it reminds me of The Parent Trap. But it's much darker.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 9mo
Cosmos_Moon Oh nice, I read another book by this author. I can‘t remember the premise, but I remember liking the style. 9mo
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ChaoticMissAdventures
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Pickpick

#womenintranslation
Another short one in translation. I have a thing for French novels. I enjoyed this. There are so many moral topics brought up. I didn't read the intro so may have missed if the author was sending a message. The main character is likable even as she uncontrollably tries to ruin lives as she manipulates to get the life she wants. As I get older the more I cringe at predatory relationships and there is 1 here.

Librariana I knew this title looked familiar! 🧠Ok, so if you wouldn't mind humoring me as I take you on this mental roller-coaster... I recently added a book to my never-ending TBR list (which I'll tag below) and added only after reading about its author on a Publishers Weekly article. She found inspiration for it from reading criticism on midcentury novels by French children... and Bonjour Tristesse was one of the titles mentioned! 2y
Librariana I hope my comment â¬†ï¸ made sense! 😆 2y
ChaoticMissAdventures @Librariana oh that is so interesting! The narrator is I believe 17 throughout this book. I will have to look into this. I have read a few books this year about French teen girls and find them fascinating. 2y
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Librariana Not that I'm being critical on your reading choice! Not in the slightest â˜ºï¸ I found it quite fascinating that the author of 《Tristesse》was 19 when the book was published! 2y
Librariana Let me share the link to the article I'm referencing so that my blathering (lol!) will make a wee bit more sense - https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/profiles/article/90025-yiyu... 2y
ChaoticMissAdventures @Librariana I didn't realize she was that young! The book has a lot of self reflection and wavering in it and this actually makes a lot of sense. It is very atmospheric, makes me curious how her writing evolves. 2y
22 likes6 comments
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IuliaC
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Pickpick

Short and stormy and stunning for a writer aged just 18 when the novel was published.
Another classic checked off my enormous to-read list. I have picked the review option on all these classics I am reading but I should have opted for a blurb instead as I wouldn't dare pretend to write a review but just mere thoughts.

writerlibrarian A good classic. 2y
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AnneCecilie
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Pickpick

17 yr old Cecile is used to having her father, Raymond, to herself. As a widower, he has affairs, but never anything serious.

This summer they rent a house in the Riviera, and invites Elsa and they have a great time. One day her father says that another friend, Anne, will come to visit as well. This changes the dynamic. When Raymond announces that he and Anne will marry, Cecilie comes up with a plan to end the relationship.

AnneCecilie The book was first published in 1954 in France and I can understand why it got so much attention, especially since it was written by a young girl. The attitude Cecile has to love and relationships that she is learning from her father. 2nd book for #MarvellousMarch @Andrew65 2y
Andrew65 Doing great ğŸ‘ğŸ‘👠2y
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Pinta
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Pickpick

Not sure why Bonjour tristesse came up as a “summer beach read†except it‘s set on the Côte d'Azur. 17-year-old Cecile is daddy‘s girl, living it up with her charming widowed father & his roguish friends. When the elegant & kind but unfun Anne gets involved w/ Daddy, Cecile‘s meddling leads to tragic consequences. Breezy tone covers grief & self-loathing, Cécile a complex if spoiled character. Young woman discovering her sexuality, influence. 1954

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vivastory
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Pickpick

I was searching for a different book this afternoon when I stumbled upon this one that I have owned for several years. Narrated by Cécile, this focuses on an adolescent summer spent with her father on the French Riviera & the surprising relationship that formed between Anne & her father. Judging from some of the bright cover designs & the summer setting in the French countryside, this novella seemed like it would be a sweet story about a couple👇

vivastory of misfits. Lol, nope. It did really make me wish I was in the French Riviera with a glass of wine though... 🷠3y
Ruthiella Not a sweet story at all! It‘s been years since I‘ve seen it, but at the time, I liked the movie adaptation of it starring the beautiful and tragic Jean Seberg. 3y
vivastory @Ruthiella I was wondering how the adaptation was. I'll check it out. I've actually been in a bit of a movie mood lately. 3y
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Cathythoughts I could do with a glass of wine in the French Riviera …. Maybe I‘ll give this one a go 3y
LeahBergen Ah! I‘ve had this one waiting on my shelves for ages. I think I‘ll like it! 3y
BarbaraBB Wow. I‘ve read that one in French class when I was 14! 3y
Brimful I read this so long ago and have totally forgotten it. Perhaps it‘s time for a reread! 3y
squirrelbrain Just seen your review - one of my faves! I have 3 copies of this (one French, two English) but none with the same cover as your copy…. 3y
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Twocougs
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Pickpick

One of those classics that you feel guilty to not have read. Sagan explores the emotions, jealousy and power that a young person can and the dramatic impacts those can have on others. Quite amazing story for a young woman to have written at just 18.

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Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟 After years in convent school, 17 year old Cecile has become extremely comfortable living her life alongside her playboy father, filling their time with drinking, smoking, and an abundance of frivolous conversations with his friends & rotation of pretty but insipid gal pals. When her father invites Anne on their vacation, Cecile feels her breezy way of life beginning to change. What lengths will she go to to avoid change? ⬇ï¸

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick ⬆ï¸Cecile is melancholy & melodramatic, but most teenagers are. I remember how the slight mention of moving felt like my world was going to end. Another star on my #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks and a #witmonth #womenintranslation selection. 4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
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Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick
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Pulled up some background music from France in the 1950s to start on this #womenintranslation book. I hope to finish it today if all goes well.

My library shared this website on their summer resources page for high school students. They have music from each decade starting in 1900 for different countries through the present. It is a great way to further immerse yourself in a foreign land when we're pretty much staying put.
www.radiooooo.com

Mrs_B THIS IS AWESOME! 4y
squirrelbrain One of my faves - I have several copies, in both English and French. (I studied it for A-level French at school). I hope you like it! 4y
Sace Oh cool! Thanks for the info! 4y
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Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @Mrs_B Right?! As a huge music fan, I am always wondering what characters were listening to and how it varied from country to country. I was so happy to find this resource, even if it only covers 1900 and beyond. 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @squirrelbrain I finished it in a day! I don't know that it is a 5-star book for me, but definitely at least a 4. I can see myself collecting a few editions of this and rereading it down the line. 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick @Sace You are most welcome! 😠4y
squirrelbrain I‘m glad you liked it! 🇫🇷 4y
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KarenUK
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Pickpick

Just SO French, and I loved it! Cécile, a charmingly precocious teen, and her incurably frivolous and widowed father, spend a lazy summer on the Riviera, spending their days swimming, drinking, smoking cigarettes and having love affairs. When her father decides to marry a ‘sensible‘ woman, Cécile‘s scheming has devastating consequences. My version has a fab intro by Rachel Cusk. Published in ‘54, I am in awe that this was written by an 18 yr old!

LeahBergen I have this on my TBR, too. ğŸ‘🻠4y
BarbaraBB I read this in high school... it‘s been awhile 😂👵🼠4y
Cinfhen So many awesome covers 🤩 4y
CarolynM Like @BarbaraBB I read this in high school - lots of tears😭 4y
Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira Great image â£ï¸ Ain‘t it great when we enjoy a book so much 😊 4y
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KarenUK
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#bookreport & #weeklyforecast

So busy at work this week, so not my best reading week, but I loved what I read! Two coming of age novels, one new and one classic..... both for #popsugarsummer challenge.

Just started an #ARC called Mayflies, and so far so great! Works for #popsummer20 too! 😊ğŸ‘
Also re-reading Cheryl Strayed on audio for a bookclub next week...

Next up, one I didn‘t get to this week, and another #ARC that comes in September..ğŸ§ğŸ’•

squirrelbrain The only one I‘ve read is Bonjour Tristesse..... I should start a #booktwin TBR list! 4y
Cinfhen You‘re becoming a #NetGalleyNerd xx 😘 just like the rest of us â¤ï¸â¤ï¸â¤ï¸ 4y
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KarenUK @squirrelbrain I love that idea! 💕😂 4y
KarenUK @Megabooks I loved it..... hence making my book club read it too 😉! 4y
KarenUK @cinfhen I‘m trying to be really well-behaved and not request too many, because I know I‘ll get easily overwhelmed! 💕🤦â€â™€ï¸ 4y
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KarenUK
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#popsummer20 #update @Cinfhen

Progress so far is 13/20.... so 7 more to go....
ğŸ˜ğŸŒ´ğŸŒŠğŸ“šğŸ’•

Next up is the tagged book for #abookinvolvingasummerromance

Soubhiville Wow! You‘re doing great! 4y
Cinfhen Lovely collage💗💗💗You got this 🙌ğŸ»ğŸ˜˜ 4y
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squirrelbrain
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#beautifulwords

This is the #quintessential French ‘coming-of-age‘ novel - hence why I‘ve got 3 copies of it... 1 in French and 2 in English.

(I thought I had 4, but could only find these!)

OriginalCyn620 Sounds good...stacked! 4y
LeahBergen And I have a different edition. 😆 4y
squirrelbrain There are loads of different covers - I just looked online @LeahBergen .... perhaps I should start collecting them all! 4y
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Rissreads
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Pickpick

Wow! What an amazing debut from an 18yr old! Sagan‘s insight into human behaviour from one so young blew me away! Loved it! â¤ï¸
#ReadwithMrBook #DebutNovel @MrBook

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Jari-chan
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Pickpick

Number 14 on my list for the #bookspinbonanza

This was a HUGE surprise for me. I never wanted to read it, but thought I should know more about it. And then I was stunned by its powerful psychology and deep study of human behavior.

@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks You are whizzing through your list!! 4y
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Oryx
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Starting this one today @squirrelbrain

I feel it probably needs to be read in the sun. Daisy and I will be heading down to the Manchester Riviera this afternoon

Cathythoughts Nice ! My husband calls our terrace ,the riviera too 😠4y
squirrelbrain Ha! Love that you‘re having a staycation afternoon. Hope you like the book.... 4y
Oryx @squirrelbrain I did enjoy it, thank you! 4y
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Oryx
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Thank you for the beautiful gift @squirrelbrain
It's so kind of you. I look forward to bonjour tristesse and I love the copy of The Grapes of wrath. It's my first orange penguin! They really are very cool.

squirrelbrain I‘d love to hear what you think of Bonjour Tristesse when you read it! And I can‘t believe it‘s your first orange Penguin! 🧠Hope you have a lovely birthday evening 😘 4y
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Come-read-with-me
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1. Sadly I am a monolingual English speaker, however......... 2. I do try to learn some greetings, polite forms, and commonly used phrases when I travel to countries that are not primarily English speaking. I have some French, Spanish, German, and Icelandic.

TalecArashi Icelandic! I've heard that's one of the most complex languages 😯 4y
Come-read-with-me @TalecArashi It is hard, which is why I only know a few basic phrases and polite forms! 😊 4y
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squirrelbrain
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This tale of beauty, promiscuity and amorality, written when the author was only 18, is certainly #taintedlove.

Somehow I‘ve ended up with three copies - two English and one French! 🤷â€â™€ï¸

#anglophileapril

Cinfhen Do u read in French?? Book sounds good. Hope you‘re having a lovely weekend 💜 5y
squirrelbrain @Cinfhen I *can* read in French (a bit!) but I don‘t! French literature is a bit incomprehensible even in English sometimes.....! 😜 5y
Mdargusch I love your editions! 🧡 5y
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Reviewsbylola I love that you have three copies! 5y
writerlibrarian Great choice. Beautiful editions (edited) 5y
emilyhaldi This has been on my tbr for a looooooong time! 5y
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DreesReads
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Cecile is 17, and has spent the last 2 years with her widowed father after spending many at a convent school. At first I thought she was just your average boy-crazy teen. But no, she‘s also mean and cruel. She must have her way, and will do anything to get it. And then she flip flops and regrets her actions. Until she flip flops again. Narcissist or sociopath? Per author interview included, the author was very similar. #1001books #intranslation

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DreesReads
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I‘m reading two books, written 60 years apart, both translated from French. Both short. One fiction, one “novelized nonfiction†(wtf?). Both have characters named Cyril. I am unclear if this is coincidence, not coincidence, or a super common name in France. Other book tagged below. 🤔

Leniverse I think it's a not uncommon name, but not exactly top 10 or anything. So I'd call it a bit of book synchronicity! 6y
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DreesReads
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Yesterday‘s #libraryhaul! More for the #augusttbr

Litsy needs a library haul sticker!

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tournevis
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@SilversReviews
1ï¸âƒ£ No.
2ï¸âƒ£ Mostly yes.
3ï¸âƒ£ Mostly yes.

SilversReviews Thanks for playing. I usually get my books back, but if you lose my book or ruin it, you are off the list. 😊 6y
tournevis @SilversReviews I do loan some books to my grad students, but I keep a tally and I scare them. 6y
SilversReviews @tournevis ğŸ˜ğŸ˜ğŸ˜ğŸ˜ And laughing. 6y
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Sophoclessweetheart
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Pickpick

I finished Bonjour Triesste last night. It was a wonderful and quick read and I think it‘s deserving of being a solid 4 star. Françoise Sagan has been described as the French F. Scott Fitzgerald and I have to say that‘s pretty accurate! I loved her writing. Can‘t wait to read A Certain Smile. #bookaddict #booklover #bookblog #bookworm #bookish #penguinmodernclassics

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Sophoclessweetheart
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Good good morning beautiful souls 🖤🌻

I‘m overjoyed this morning because I passed my exam and my module and am accepted to my October modules. I want to dance and squeal but it‘s 7am so I‘ll drink coffee and read whilst my daughter watches her breakfast cartoons instead. I‘m 50-60 pages into each of my reads now and I am loving them all. #bookaddict #booklover #bookblog #bookish #bookworm #bookstamums #penguinmodernclassics

TaylorMay Congrats!! ğŸ‰ğŸ‰ but enjoy the squeeling and jumping you earned it! 6y
LeahBergen Congrats! ğŸ‘ğŸ»ğŸ‘🻠6y
Cathythoughts Big congratulations 🉠6y
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laurieluna Congrats Kendal!!! #nailedit 😄ğŸ‰ğŸ‰ğŸ‰ knew you would 😊 x 6y
rockpools Congratulations! 6y
batsy Congratulations!! ğŸ‰ğŸ‰ğŸ’ 6y
Sophoclessweetheart @TaylorMay @LeahBergen @Cathythoughts @RachelO @batsy Thank you so much darlings 🖤🖤🖤🙠6y
Sophoclessweetheart @miralunasbooknook Thank you Laurie!! ğŸ˜ğŸ˜ I‘m so excited and pleased!! 6y
wanderinglynn Congrats! ğŸ‰ğŸ‘🻠6y
JazzFeathers 😀💪ğŸ‘ğŸ‘ğŸ‘ğŸ‘🙌🙌🙌ğŸŠğŸŠğŸŠğŸ‰ğŸ‰ğŸ‰ğŸ‰ 6y
JoScho 💖ğŸ‰ğŸ’–ğŸ‰ğŸ’– 6y
BiblioLitten Congratulations!!💖ğŸ’👠6y
Mdargusch Great news! ğŸ‘🼠6y
Slajaunie Congratulations!!!ğŸˆğŸ‰ 6y
Weaponxgirl Congratulations 6y
quietlycuriouskate Congratulations and well done! 👠🉠6y
youneverarrived Congrats! 😘 6y
77 likes19 comments
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Sophoclessweetheart
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Unplugging for the weekend to enjoy family time and good books. See you on Monday beautiful souls. 🖤🌻 #penguinmodernclassics #bookaddict #bookish #booklover #bookblog #bookworm #bookstamums

Kalalalatja Enjoy! 6y
Weaponxgirl Have a lovely weekend 😊 6y
MommyWantsToReadHerBook I went through a big Francoise Sagan phase! 6y
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youneverarrived Have a lovely weekend 😠6y
Oryx Have a good weekend! 6y
Sophoclessweetheart @Kalalalatja Thank you sweet. Xx (edited) 6y
Sophoclessweetheart @weaponxgirl Thank you sweet. It‘s been a lovely time x 6y
Sophoclessweetheart @mommywantstoreadherbook It‘s my first but she sounds wonderful. Do you recommend any others? X 6y
Sophoclessweetheart @oryx Thank you Lovely! Xx 6y
BooknerdsLife That sounds lovely! Have a beautiful unplugged weekend with your family ğŸ™ğŸ’•ğŸ˜˜ 6y
Sophoclessweetheart @booknerdslife Thank you dear. It was a lovely break! 6y
53 likes12 comments
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Sophoclessweetheart
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What‘s self control? 🤷ğŸ¼â€â™€ï¸

This is my #currentlyreading pile. I‘ve gone from reading Silence of the Girls, two reading three books at once and although this is a technique I want to learn to help me battle my overflowing TBR, I‘m still learning how to work multiple books at once effectively.

So, I guess I‘m accepting eyeball donations now ğŸ’ğŸ¼â€â™€ï¸ğŸ¤”#penguinenglishlibrary #penguinmodernclassics

keys_on_fire I don‘t usually have multiple books going of one type. The way I do it is hat I have one print book, one ebook, and one audio book. That way if I don‘t have my print book with me, I can read on my phone if I have the opportunity, and I listen to my audio book on the way to and from work. 6y
ephemeralwaltz Self control? No idea. I'm always reading more than one book too; 6y
Sophoclessweetheart @ephemeralwaltz Who needs that self control stuff anyway? 🤷ğŸ¼â€â™€ï¸ğŸ˜¹ğŸ–¤ 6y
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Sophoclessweetheart @keys_on_fire That‘s a great idea! I don‘t use audiobooks or ebooks personally, but if you do that‘s a brilliant way to work them 👠6y
Weaponxgirl I will read multiple books at a time but I find I need to have different genres on the go at once. So generally I'll have one fiction and non fiction all the time. This is because I like to follow the thread of fiction without confusing myself too much. Other combos that can work are essay collections and short stories and poetry fits in anywhere. I will also often throw in a bio or memoir but that's my lack of control. 6y
BooknerdsLife Haha I'm forever reading more than one book at a time since I get bored too easily & Im totally a big mood reader 😅🙈 But I do try to read different genre at the same time so I won't get too confused 🤗 6y
Sophoclessweetheart @weaponxgirl I have tried to do multiple reads with one nonfiction or poetry and one fiction but I‘m trying to branch out and just read 2-3 of whatever I want to read at once because I‘m currently just wanting to read everything right away 😹😹 6y
Sophoclessweetheart @booknerdslife I‘m hoping once this dire need to read everything at once right away wears off I can go back to one book at a time. Hah 😹 6y
BooknerdsLife @Sorceryandswords Haha OK 😂 I doubt it will wear off so tho...It's our biggest problem : Too many books, too little time 🤣😈 6y
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DebinHawaii
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#OldCoolBooks #novella

I couldn't find an old cool edition of a novella on my shelves, but I do have this classic. Published in 1954 when the author was just 18, it is a quick, interesting & provocative read. I bought a copy after reading about it in another book--don't ask me which one.🤔I also watched the film. I like the starkness of the design on my edition but I'd love to own the English first edition, published in 1955--it's so colorful.

CarolynM This brings back memories! 6y
LeahBergen I want that edition, too. 😠6y
Linsy Both are great, but you‘re right, that first edition is beautiful! 6y
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gregspuches
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Day 25: #beachread ??? Françoise Sagan‘s first brilliant novel, written in her teens.

“Sometimes I think I would blame myself less if I had been prompted that day by hatred and violence, and had not allowed myself to drift into it merely through inertia, the sun, and Cyril‘s kisses.†- p77

#photochallenge #readingresolutions

Mdargusch Great photo! ğŸ 6y
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Kalalalatja
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Pickpick

This book felt like a more mature and darker version of The Parent Trap. Cecíle, a 17 year old, selfish and spoiled girl lives a life full of glamour and parties with her widowed father. They both have love affairs, but when Cecíle‘s father starts getting serious with one woman, Cecíle sets out to ruin their engagement. It is tragic and sad, but so lyrical and beautifully written, I couldn‘t help but like it!

Abailliekaras What a beautiful cover! 6y
Dulcinella The author was only 18 when she wrote it. 6y
KarenUK I love this book.... 6y
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Kalalalatja
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@JenP already picked this for today's #RockinMay prompt, but I had to use it as well ? Cécile, the main character is just over the #edgeofseventeen and is sorely depressed about her father's new girl friend. Sagan was only 18 when the book was published, which is just mind blowing. I have heard so many good things about the book, and it is somewhere on my ever growing tbr list ?

Cinfhen I like your cover too! It's such an amazing feat to write a book so young and still be relevant today! (edited) 7y
JenP That is a cool cover! 7y
LeahBergen This is one I've been meaning to buy for ages! 7y
Kalalalatja It is so inspiring! @Cinfhen @JenP it is the cover from the Danish translation 👌 @LeahBergen Me too! Other books just keep getting in the way... 7y
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JenP
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#EdgeofSeventeen #rockinmay

The protagonist was seventeen and the author 18 when she wrote this.

rubyslippersreads â¤ï¸ the cover! 7y
Cinfhen This sounds really good 😊 thanks for sharing â¤ï¸ 7y
Kalalalatja That was going to be my pick as well! 😄 7y
JenP @Kalalalatja great minds 😠7y
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katedensen
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I wanted to post about Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse for today's #RockInMay theme of #HomeByTheSea, but couldn't find my copy. So, here's an irreverent, vaguely existential French novella published in 1954 that largely takes place in a seaside town in France.

merelybookish Great cover! 7y
Cinfhen Both fitting choices and both books I have not read! 7y
katedensen @merelybookish Totally why I bought and read it. @Cinfhen I recommend both! 7y
31 likes3 comments
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HotCocoaReads
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Pickpick

This was a short, well-written book about a 17-year-old girl who is dealing with her dad's relationships. It was a good book but I didn't really get too emotionally involved. Still, an authentic reflection of a French teenager.

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Tonton
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I didn't really see what the fuss was about back in junior high. I picked this up ( includes A Certain Smile) to re-read and appreciate it a bit more. Feeling languid and the ennui o n my balcony this sunny afternoon.

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HotCocoaReads
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My love of pleasure seems to be the only consistent side of my character. Is it because I have not read enough?

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squarepeginroundhole
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I realized that carelessness can govern our lives, but it does not provide us with any arguments in its defense.

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melissa.in.books
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First book bought in 2017. I have been looking for a copy of this book for months. I've looked for it in so many used bookstores in so many cities. Now here it is in my hands. I found it in a used bookstore in Toronto. I can't wait to read it!

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Ericareads44
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chlobee
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This constitutes about half of my foreign language book collection. All of these are in French, but I have others in Spanish and German as well. What can I say, I'm a language nerd 🤓

#notinenglish #seasonsreadings2016

BookishMarginalia ğŸ‘ğŸ¼ğŸ’ªğŸ¼ 7y
18 likes1 comment
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sj_connor
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This stack could have easily been twice as big, I had to do some serious whittling. I tried to do #unforgettablewomen protagonists/ensembles, but the love interest from Written on the Body managed to sneak in there because I love her. #booktober

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Vickykc
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Pickpick

I read this not expecting much but it somehow grabbed me and pulled me into the story. A really masterful twist on a coming of age story, full of suspense, betrayal and emotion. Small but perfectly formed :) #france #french #shortbooks #awesome

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BookishClaire
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What's your favourite book translated from French? I've got a list up on Book Riot today!

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Emmeline
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A favorite dysfunctional family novel for #24in48 #readathon @Litsy @24in48

Vickykc Great picture :) I just finished this and loved it. 8y
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carstenodgaard
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katedensen
Pickpick

It took me awhile to read this tiny, irreverent book because life got in the way. Definitely a great summer read. At times, I felt it was almost Lolita-esque, if Lolita were French and told from the titular character's perspective.

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katedensen
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Trying to finish this on my train ride upstate. This excerpt also proves that it's hard to find someone more manipulative than a teenage girl.

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Gyldendal
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Cécile er 17 og selvoptaget og på sommerferie ved den dampende Riviera med sin far. Her møder faderen en veninde fra fortiden - hvad der slet ikke huer henrivende Cécile. Hun lægger en plan for at skille de to ad - en plan, der får tragiske og uforudsete følger.

BornenesBoger Smuk â¤ï¸ 8y
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