Montparnasse 25

We went to Montparnasse 25 for dinner.  It was sad, because the Starwood management has just converted the hotel to a Sheraton & decided to close this Michelin-starred restaurant that we love.   The chef, Christian Moine & the waitstaff that my husband knows from years of dining there were all still in shock from the announcement (even though they've been under threat of the axe for 2 years).

Food was very good, as usual, and I imagine we'll make it back a few times in the next months, but it will probably be going downhill fast since the best of the serving & kitchen staff will go for greener pastures as soon an they are able.

Get a Life, Nadine Gordimer

I had never read anything by Nobel-prize winning Nadine Gordimer, but I found Get a Life at a used bookshop & picked it up.   Interesting character study, but the story seemed flat and poorly developed to me.  Grade : B-

Mona Lisa Smile

I watched Mona Lisa Smile as a  99c rental from iTunes on the train today.  As is often the case w 99c movies, I feel I got a good deal.  It was at least 3$ worth of entertainment.  I enjoyed seeing a chick flick that kept me occupied for 2 hours.   Grade : B

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

A and I went to see this (while E worked).   In 3D.  The 3D effects were, as is often the case, pretty uneven, but the story was entertaining for this genre of film - although less funny for adults than many kids movies are.  I'd grade it a B-.

The Healing of America - T.R. Reid

I've long looked for a good rapid overview of multiple health systems -- this book completely fits the bill, and hopefully will even make a big enough impact to make serious changes to the US healthcare system.  A quick and easy read, it was also interesting & written by a reporter who understood his subject but simplified things for easy access for anyone.

Time Will Darken It - William Maxwell

This book was loaned to me by my mom, who loved it and had post it flags & underlining all over it. Despite that being extremely annoying, the book was beautifully written, and really made me wonder why Maxwell is not better known. Reading more of his work is high on my priority list now.

Les Bouddas de Shandong, Musée Cernuchi

My sister & I went to the Cernuchi museum, a small Asian arts museum which is near my office.  There was a special exhibit on these buddhas, which were a fun cultural stop in the day.

Once Upon A Time in the West, Sergio Leone

My husband really wanted to watch Once Upon a Time in the West, by Sergio Leone last night.  He was in the mood for something very boyish, and he loves this film.  It wasn't my first choice, but I agreed because he was so enthusiastic about it.  I did appreciate seeing it again - Sergio Leone at the top of his Spaghetti Western game, for sure, plus that beautiful cinematography (and some mighty cute men).

Ile des sourciers, Anthony Horowitz

This book is kind of embarrasing to put on my 'read' list because it's young adult fiction, and not even very good young adult fiction.

But I read it because my stepson (9) recommended it and I figured if he could read it, I could read it in French.  I have largely stopped reading in French, but this went easily and even gives me the courage to try something adult in French... well, we'll see about that.

I thought the book was not so good - like a rip-off, not-very-interesting version of Harry Potter, but A told me that in fact this was written well before Harry Potter so in fact the rip-off is the other way (although HP is much more interesting).

Tchao Pantin

We watched Tchao Pantin, a 1983 French film about a young drug dealer & his neighborhood gas station attendant who is befriends him.  Great acting, interesting filming, but the story lacked spark.  One of those French character films.

Borsalino - dir. Jacques Deray

Last night we watched Borsalino, which is a 1970s gangster movie which was mildly amusing.  The clichés of mobsters were in full effect, but Alain Delon was his usual suave self.  The movie apparently was a sequel to a pretty good movie -- but as is often the case, the sequel didn't live up to the original.

For a Few Dollars More - Sergio Leone

We watched another Western last night.  Actually I slept for a good portion of it, but I still liked it.  It was the second Sergio Leone spaghetti western.  Excellent acting, great cinematography, score was awesome.  Story was not the best. 

The Elegance of the Hedgehog, Muriel Barbery

I should know better --- I've rarely liked books that are 'reading group favorites' and that's where this one was shelved in 3 bookstores

I read it because it was the book selected by the Paris Goodreads book club, and I really need social contact. 

I didnt care much for the translation, and although I enjoyed the first 50 pages, I thought the story got worse and worse as it went on.

2 movies not worth the 99c rental in iTunes

Embarrassing -- both were intended for the gym, but weren't even worth my time as I have better things to watch even at the gym...

Material Girls with Hilary Duff & her sister.... stupid stupid stupid

Van Wilder with some young cute teenage bad actor... stupid too, and vulgar... but funny a few times

Dancer, by Colum McCann

Read this through most of the IVF proceedings.  Finished it the day of retrieval.

I liked it, it was an insteresting mix between biography and novel.  Characters were great, writing was really smooth.

I'm BACK!

I stopped updating here for several months, but have decided to come back to it effective now (and I'll fill in from beginning of October). 

I liked keeping track of things.

I might do the simple versions without links and pictures to keep time down.