Paris Travel via the Best Books about France: A Roundup of 2012–13

From the book Paris versus New York, by Vahram Muratyan. 

Ever since the author Peter Mayle came on the scene, the year 2012, like years past, saw numerous releases of books about Paris and Paris-themed literature or gastronomy, as well as novels set in France. If you want to visit the Gallic homeland or indulge in a little bit of Paris travel via Nook or paperback, pick up a few of these.
The Complete Bocuse

On the gastronomic front, this book, published by Flammarion, stands out and has won awards. With 500 simple, traditional French recipes, this is the huge and heavy reference cookbook covering classic French cooking, as interpreted by master chef Paul Bocuse, for home cooks like us. My Julia Child may have to step aside to share shelf space with this one.
If you are crazy for French cookbooks and are going to be in Paris later this month, head to the Paris Cookbook Fair, held from February 22 to 24 at the Carrousel du Louvre.
Paris versus New York
This book, by Vahram Muratyan, was released last January to great fanfare and is one of the best gifts we know of for your globe-trotting friends. It’s funny and adorable and a quick read for the salle de bain.
Lunch in Provence
Released last fall, this is one of those books to put on your coffee table, with inspiring and tantalizing photos of this revered French region known for its food as well as its natural beauty. Photographer Rachael McKenna and author Jean-André Charial bring you a charming slice of life and food in Provence, presenting 35 lunchtime recipes from Michelin-starred chefs from the region.
Paris Bon Appetit
Yet another foodie guide to Paris, this one was written by Pierre Rival (and published by Flammarion ), who brought us Gourmet Shops of Paris. We like the logical layout of chapters: decadent Paris, traditional Paris and contemporary Paris.
Doodling in French
Do you have a friend who is a budding artist? This darling book, written by Anna Corba and released this past January, might inspire her or him.

Paris by Hollywood

Just like us Francophiles, Hollywood has long been intrigued by la belle Paris. Of course, many a flick has been shot there. This book, edited by Antoine de Baecque and covering more than a century of moviemaking, including interviews with many famous filmmakers, is the perfect gift for the home film critic and Francophile.
The Marseille Caper
Released this past fall, this new read is by Peter Mayle. A reviewer for the Denver Post wrote: “Oh, what a delicious little book this is . . . like an excellent meal at a beloved restaurant, you’ll savor every morsel, and you’ll be sorry to see it end.”
Paris in Color
Fellow blogger Nichole Robertson has produced this stunning photo book of Paris. If it doesn’t inspire you to get on a plane to the City of Light, nothing will.
Paris, My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate)
Another blogger friend and sometime writer on GG2P, Amy Thomas, released this book in February 2012. Praising the book, Elizabeth Bard, author of the best-selling Lunch in Paris, said, “. . . Thomas’s passion is palpable, her sweet tooth, unstoppable.” We wholeheartedly agree!
The Table Comes First: France, Family and the Meaning of Food
Adam Gopnik is a writer I personally revere; his book Paris to the Moon is one of my all-time favorite books about contemporary Paris. The Table Comes First, his latest offering, examines food on a deeper level—food as culture and history, both personal and global.
Mission to Paris
Alan Furst is one of my husband’s favorite writers. With historical accuracy, he depicts World War II–era France and other parts of Europe, where everyday people become heroes. This is his latest in the series.

Books by Marc Levy

I had the pleasure of interviewing France’s top best-selling author, Marc Levy, on my radio show recently. He is as charming on the radio as he is skillful on paper. Lucky for us Anglophones, his mystery novels have now been released in English and are available for the iPad, Nook and Kindle. If Only It Were True, his first book, is as good a place to start as any, or try All Those Things We Never Said. Don’t forget to enter the FREE Paris weekend getaway for two on his site. 

Related Links
The Complete Bocuse

Paris Cookbook Fair
Paris versus New York

Lunch in Provence
Paris Bon Appetit

Doodling in French

Paris by Hollywood

The Marseille Caper

Paris in Color

Paris, My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate)

The Table Comes First: France, Family and the Meaning of Food

Mission to Paris

Marc Levy
Editor’s note: If you enter the author Marc Levy’s contest via the GG2P home page or his site by February 10, you can win a Paris getaway for two!