Welcome to Litsy!

I am really leaning into trip prep. I enjoy learning about a place before I visit, and I like that this one is a pretty efficient summary of the major developments which contributed to the early modernization of Paris. I‘m only a couple of chapters in, but I am looking forward to seeing some of the structures in person and having the background context for major sites in the city.

I def learned a hell of a lot about Paris and its history, so obviously that‘s a plus for a nonfiction book. A lot of it was fascinating & written in an accessible way, & I loved the art & maps from the time period (17th to 18th centuries). The author did have a tendency to repeat herself by rearranging words, & I wish there was a bit more depth on some topics, bit less on others. But it‘s fun & informative & a good one for any Francophile. 3/5 ⭐️

I definitely want to be super annoying and start referring to sidewalks as TROTTOIRS from now on.

Then came the siege, and those who had censored the press left the city more or less to its own devices. Parlement repeatedly issued decrees warning printers that they had to ask permission to publish, but in such hectic times, formal procedure all but ceased to exist. A press more free than ever before sprang up almost as quickly as those barricades. Its focus was the here and now, delivered the sooner the better.

At the same time, something less tangible was also invented: “Paris” as one of those rare words to possess a true mystique and be imbued with a particular atmosphere and an aura of desirability.

My next selection for #nonfictionnovember, for the DESIGN prompt. I have never and—unless they invent 1000% safe and painless teleportation—will never visit Paris (or.........anywhere else), but I‘ve always had such a strong affinity for it and everything else to do with France. Je t‘adore de loin, et je suis content d‘avoir des livres qui m‘aident rêver. (I probably made a few errors there. C‘est la vie!) ???? #nowreading

Absolutely loved this book! Such a fun read and so informative about the creation of the Paris from an overstuffed village to the chic metropolis it now is. The author wrote it excellently and connected the various topics throughout. Can't praise this book enough!