Japanese Literature Challenge 2011

It's that time of year - actually I'm a little late - but Dolce Bellezza is hosting the 5th annual Japanese Literature Challenge and I'm signing up.... I love this challenge... it's introduced me to authors and genre's I would not have normally tried.

So my intentions this year include:

• read more Haruki Murakami
• read more Banana Yoshimoto
• read another Japanese Author
• read another Japanese History
  

You can see my previous years attempts on my 'challenges' page, where you'll note I'm not a prolific reader, but I have to say I ALWAYS enjoy my Japanese Literature reads.

I recently finished Murakami's "Hard-boiled Wonderland and The End of the World", which I will post on soon. If you have any other suggestions I would love to hear from you - even if you have something that doesn't fit with my 'intentions' list....

Until later.

Paris in July - Final Post

Well, it may be the end of July, and the official end of our Paris in July journey, but it doesnt have to end there. We've had a great time with all our passionate Parisiene bloggers, reviewing books, photos, songs, movies, foods, markets, quotes, poems, biographies.... the experiences have been wide and varied. In visiting all the participants blogs, we've all recieved some great new idea's for future reading, listening, eating and viewing. Why wait for next July? I personnally would love to see some of Paris in July continue throughout the year.

For me, I still have three more weeks here in Europe, mostly in France, and that should include another visit or two to Paris. I will, without a doubt, post more aboout the things I'm discovering in France - see keep your eyes open...

I have two other posts planned already - for July I read 'An Englishman in Paris' - review to come, and I want to post also about some exhibitions I've seen here in Montpellier....

Again, I'd like to join Karen at Bookbath, and say Thankyou so much for joining us in this journey - we've been overwhelmed and excited by the passion people have for this topic. It's been awesome and we must do it again sometime..

Le Marche en Arles (Provence)

What can I say, but there's nothing like being thrown in the deep end....
a bus full of French Langauge Students left to fend for themselves in the food markets!
Gorgeous food, fantastic atmosphere, and great fun!

Les Macaroons! miam:)

Les Olives

Le Saucisson

Le Pain

Les Fruits

We had a fantastic day discovering the markets, the old cite, and eating in the local restaurant with a local guide who allowed us to speak french very slowly!