All across the board do we have items to discover from books about discover the wealth that cannot be purchased, delicious recipes from the Mediterranean islands and shores, a book that dives into the history and health of freezing food and a creative novel about a man who travels through key moments of 20th century history. Also, a new film portraying the life of British writer Samuel Beckett through a philosophical lens, clothing finds from the new fall collections that immediately caught my eye and maybe yours as well, a new British mystery series, the return of a fun and Paris based series and still much, much more.

Books

—Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet and Ourselves by Nicola Twilley

Happening upon a review of Nicola Twilley’s new book Frostbite this past weekend, the focus of the book definitely caught my curiosity. Released this past June, Twilley, who is a cohost of the award-winning podcast Gastropod and contributor to The New Yorker “takes readers on a tour of the cold chain from farm to fridge, visiting off-the-beaten-path landmarks such as Missouri’s subterranean cheese caves, the banana-ripening rooms of New York City, and the vast refrigerated tanks that store the nation’s orange juice reserves. Today, nearly three-quarters of everything on the average American plate is processed, shipped, stored, and sold under refrigeration. It’s impossible to make sense of our food system without understanding the all-but-invisible network of thermal control that underpins it. Twilley’s eye-opening book is the first to reveal the transformative impact refrigeration has had on our health and our guts; our farms, tables, kitchens, and cities; global economics and politics; and even our environment.” Needless to say, I am interested in reading it not only from a history standpoint, but mostly for the sake of good health practices.

—Letters to Margaret: Confessions to My Late Wife by Hunter Davies

Just released in the UK, OBE Hunter Davies, a British journalist, author and broadcaster’s new book Letters to Margaret is a continuation of a ritual he and his wife regularly partook in together even after her death. “At the end of almost every day of their fifty-five years of married life, the publicity-shy author Margaret Forster would ask the naturally gregarious and outgoing Hunter Davies to describe to her the highlights of his day in the worlds of journalism and publishing. In the six years that have elapsed since Margaret’s death, Hunter has continued these conversations with his wife, regaling her with accounts of the events and developments in his life – domestic, social, romantic, book-related, health-related and others – through a sequence of Letters to Margaret. The letters are pure Hunter Davies: a feast of gossipy stream-of-consciousness that weaves together strands of confession, self-mockery, anecdote and touching remembrance of married happiness with Margaret.”

Look for it to be released in the states in February of next year, but you can purchase it now through Blackwells.

—The Very Long, Very Strange Life of Isaac Dahl: A Novel by Bart Yates

Released this past July, a book our local independent bookshop highlighted as one to read, award-winning author Bart Yates “blends historical fact and fiction in a surprising, thought-provoking saga spanning 12 significant days across nearly 100 years in the eventful life of a gay man through the tumultuous events of the 20th century” in The Very Long, Very Strange Life of Isaac Dahl.

“At the age of ninety-six, Isaac Dahl sits down to write his memoir. For Isaac, an accomplished journalist and historian, finding the right words to convey events is never a problem. But this book will be different from anything he has written before. Focusing on twelve different days, each encapsulated in a chapter, Isaac hopes to distill the very essence of his life . . . From the Oklahoma Dust Bowl to a Mississippi school at the apex of the civil rights movement to WWII, while serving as a civilian correspondent, Dahl reports from a battleship during a bombardment. Later, he covers an atomic bomb testing on the Marshall Islands, and the devastation of the AIDS epidemic . . Isaac tells his story with insight, wisdom, and emotional depth. The Very Long, Very Strange Life of Isaac Dahl is a wonderful, singular narrative that will spark conversation and reflection—a reminder that there is no such thing as an ordinary life, and the greatest accomplishment of all is to live and love fully”.

—The Wealth Money Can’t Buy: The 8 Hidden Habits to Live Your Richest Life by Robin Sharma

Released this past April, in The Wealth Money Can’t Buy, readers “will discover a life-changing system that will help to lead to the richest life before it’s too late. [Sharma teaches] a framework based on the eight hidden habits used by authentically rich people and gain a methodology to master one’s destiny.
 
• how to become a ‘perfect moment’ creator
• why your choice of mate is 90% of your joy
• the power of ‘The 10,000 Dinners Question’
• hidden habits of authentically wealthy people
• the brilliance of ‘going ghost’ for a year”

Author of the 5AM Club and The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, and advisor to Nike, FedEx, Microsoft, Unilever, GE, HP, Starbucks, Sharma’s insights, while requiring intention and conscious presence, seek to remind us what it truly means to be wealthy. I look forward to reading this new title.

British Finds

—Dance First

The Nobel Prize winner author, Irishman Samuel Beckett experienced many different ways of life: as a Parisian bon vivant, a WWII resistance fighter, a philandering husband and a recluse, along with his award winning writing career. In this new film, first airing in Britain on Sky channel, Gabriel Byrne plays the man who was very much aware of his own failings. Titled after Beckett’s own ethos, Dance First, Think Later, the film portrays his life lived during the 20th century. Have a look at the trailer below, and look for it in theaters beginning today and via digital next Friday.

—The English Experience: A Novel by Julie Schumacher

Released last year, and the second book and latest in a three-part series, Julie Schumacher’s The English Experience tells the story of “Jason Fitger who may be the last faculty member the dean wants for the job, but he’s the only professor available to chaperone Payne University’s annual ‘Experience: Abroad’ (he has long been on the record objecting to the absurd and gratuitous colon between the words) occurring during the three weeks of winter term. Among his charges are a claustrophobe with a juvenile detention record, a student who erroneously believes he is headed for the Caribbean, a pair of unreconciled lovers, a set of undifferentiated twins, and one young woman who has never been away from her cat before.

“Through a sea of troubles—personal, institutional, and international—the gimlet-eyed, acid-tongued Fitger strives to navigate safe passage for all concerned, revealing much about the essential need for human connection and the sometimes surprising places in which it is found.”

With clear similarities to the Oscar winning film starring Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers, this looks like a very fun read indeed.

—The Good Ship Murder, Britbox

I just learned about this new caper series set upon a Mediterranean cruise ship, The Good Ship Murder, and it looks like it might be a good series to add to the long list of British murder mystery solving duos. “Former police detective Jack Grayling, now pursuing his dream of becoming a cabaret singer on a luxury Mediterranean cruise ship, investigates a series of murders on board with the help of ship’s First Officer Kate Woods”. All eight episodes are available now on BritBox. Have a look at the trailer below.

Cookbooks

—Mediterra: Recipes from the Islands and Shores of the Mediterranean by Ben Tish

Ben Tish, the executive chef at London’s Cubitt House, follows up his beloved cookbook Sicilia, with Mediterra, sharing more than a hundred “mouth-watering Mediterranean dishes from Spain to Syria and everywhere in between

“Across the Mediterranean, one delicious cuisine gives way to the next. From Spain and Italy, through Greece and Turkey and down to North Africa, the region is rich with deeply delicious food. In Mediterra, renowned chef and author Ben Tish gives the tour of a lifetime. With seven-spice falafel from Lebanon, pork belly gyros from Greece, classic tiramisu from Italy, and grilled smoky sardines from Crete, the full flavors of the region are on glorious display for recipes that work across diets and seasons.”

I am already salivating. This cookbook sounds delicious, and it will be released this coming Tuesday, August 13th.

—Peaceful Kitchen: More than 100 Cozy Plant-Based Recipes to Comfort the Body and Nourish the Soul by Catherine Perez

Also being released this coming Tuesday, is Peaceful Kitchen from first-time author and cookbook writer, Catherine Perez. Perez “a food creator and registered dietitian, guides you through a delightful exploration of mouthwatering plant-based recipes, proving serenity can be found in a well-balanced, wholesome meal.

“Perez helps you take the stress out of eating well with recipes that pull from the Mexican and Dominican dishes and flavors she was raised on—adding her own delicious twists—served with a side of the latest evidenced-based research. From Moro de Habichuelas to Breakfast Tostadas, she shows you how eating healthfully doesn’t mean eating blandly. Inviting you into her own life, Perez inspires you to make the kitchen a true expression of yourself—bringing your own imagination, heritage, and fun to mealtime—so you can cultivate calm as you prepare mindful, sustain­able meals”.

—What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking by Caroline Chambers

Described as a cookbook containing recipes for people who love good food, Caroline Chamber’s new cookbook What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking is “inspired by Chambers’ Substack newsletter of the same name and is full of efficient recipes that take the guesswork out of dinner—in fact, each one is a complete meal: protein, veg, starch, done! The recipes are organized by the amount of time they take to cook, so whether you have 15 minutes to throw together Peanutty Pork and Brussels or a little bit longer to simmer Turkey Bolognese with Sneaky Veggies, dinnertime is totally doable. On top of that, Caro gives you more ways to choose, so you can search by protein (Chicken thighs waiting in the fridge? Make White Chicken Chili. Nothing but beans in the pantry? Cannellini Caprese with Burrata is it!) or mood (Tomato Farrotto is perfect for a cozy craving)”. Most likely, all of us, at one point or another, have been hungry but didn’t want to cook. I know I have, and this cookbook looks to be sympathetic to that feeling and provides delicious ways to help.

Francophile Finds

—Emily in Paris, season 4, Part 1

Ahhhh, she is back! And as I shared with TOP Tier Members, Emily in Paris is a series just to enjoy without criticism – it’s meant to be fun, frivolous and an escape and that is why I must say I whiz through each season far too quickly. The first part of two will premiere this coming Thursday – August 15th – with five episodes dropping all at once, and then on September 12th, the remaining five will be available. Have a look at the trailer below to discover what is in store for all of our favorite characters in the City of Light.

Shopping

—Everlane The Linen Belted Midi Dress (bone/navy + two other solid colors)

This dress is both simple, yet flattering, as well as timeless and comfortable. If this cut is your go-to for collar and arms and length, then scoop it up. Linen comfort for your summer outings and timeless stripes for effortless chic.

—Freja NYC, Caroline Bag (vegan leather), five colors

Freja’s handbags continue to be included on lists of recommended brands and styles for handbags of timeless appeal, and with their vegan leather composition, they are all the more likable. There are other styles beyond the Caroline Bag, some similar and some quite different, but the price point isn’t bad for a bag you will definitely have for years to come.

—Themoirè handbags

Speaking of conscientious brands, Italian handbag brand Themoirè is one to take a look at as well. All of their products are made from bio-based fabrics made from apple waste, cactus fiber and recycled plastic bottles, and the bags are also made with natural materials like cork or raffia, recycled materials like eco fur or recycled cotton.

Their clutches (available in two different sizes) are what caught my eye, as they are available in all sorts of colors, and as actress Kim Raver (Grey’s Anatomy) commented, these are bags you will have forever due to their classic design. I have shopped three below, but be sure to peruse their entire site.

Tia weaved straw shell/caramel clutch

Tike Straw shell/caramel bag

Bios Flat weaved toffee (more colors) clutch

—Veronica Beard Taylor Belted Wide-Leg Jeans

Immediately upon seeing these jeans, I saved them and wanted to share (and may be picking up a pair for myself in the coming weeks). The high waist, and slim(mer) wide-leg style is right up my alley. Wear with pointed toe kitten heels and a button up shirt and one fall ensemble is done and ready to be worn.

Television

—Industry, season 3, Max

I am wanting to start watching this highly praised series from Max, Industry. Now in its third season, premiering on the 11th (Sunday), the show is set in London with “graduates from all walks of life competing for a limited number of available full-time employment opportunities at Pierpoint, a top investment bank in the city.” Below is the trailer for the latest season, but if you, like me, will be beginning with season 1, here is a link to that season’s trailer.

Sunflowers take me back to Provence in my memories of past travels, and so I try to always sow as many seeds around Le Papillon as possible to bring the smiles each August. These two beauties just began putting on their show this past week, and yep, the smiles erupted immediately. 🙂

Speaking of Provence, TSLL’s 9th Annual French Week will kick off in two days, this Sunday the 11th, and I cannot wait to begin celebrating all things French with you, TSLL community.

This past week has been full and fun for a variety of reasons. From shipping out totes to readers who have finished the Contentment Masterclass, being interviewed for an upcoming episode of the Frugal Friends podcast that will air in September (listen to my interview of one of their co-hosts here in this week’s latest episode of the podcast where we talk about Finances and Contentment), and filming the final two episodes of the cooking show. And as a way of relaxing for just a moment, I am looking forward to a one day getaway to Portland before I step back into the office and dive into sharing all that is in store for French Week. I so enjoy this special week each year as hearing from all of you about what you enjoy, your French travel adventures and plans as well as how you incorporate the culture into your everyday is invigorating and inspiring not only to me but to fellow readers who share a passion for the French culture. Look for six giveaways to be shared and at least two new posts each day for the entire week. You can learn more about this most popular week on TSLL’s annual calendar here as well as explore past French Weeks in the Archives.

~Did you know TSLL offers Guest Memberships that are not reoccurring? Yep! For only $10/month, you can enjoy all of the benefits of TOP Tier Membership (ad-free reading, unlimited reading, giveaway entry, and more!), which means, yep, you can enjoy all that French Week will be offering. Learn more about the Guest Membership here.

But we still have two days before it all begins, and until then, I have a few articles and a couple of videos I thought you might enjoy. Thank you so much for stopping by today, and until Sunday, bonne journée ! Or should I say, à dimanche (see you Sunday!) !

~Pacific Northwest interior designer Heidi Caillier decorated this Brooklyn home that was recently spotlighted in Architectural Digest. I am loving the rich colors and her careful attention in each bathroom, and of course, all of the various pieces of upholstered furniture :).

~An intriguing article about What Don’t We Know? generally speaking that is, and when is willful ignorance taking place and what is its effect? [The New Yorker]

~The biggest surprise in Paris (according to the WSJ). Hint, hint, the French seem to be enjoying the Olympics!

~August garden tasks to tend to. [Gardeners’ World]

~One sport I enjoy watching during the Olympics is the beach volleyball and this article breaks down the history, rules for clothing and why many players (women) actually prefer the bikini as their uniform. [WWD]

~What to expect in Sunday’s Closing Ceremonies in Paris [France 24]

~Five tips for writing meaningful thank-you notes [Harvard Business Review]

~This video made me chuckle – Snoop Dog shows Michael Phelps his swimming prowess in the pool.

~A great interview with Ricki Lake about her determination to change her lifestyle (health and eating) and feeling the best she has ever felt in her life and health. [ABC News]

~For all of my fellow lovers of peaches, and with peaches being plentiful at farmers’ markets, Smitten Kitchen has a recipe for your – Salted Caramel Peach Crisp.

~One more nod to the Olympics: here is an interview with 4x Gold Medal Olympic champion, French swimmer, Léon Marchand. What a games he has had, and in Paris!

~Explore last week’s This & That: August 2, 2024

A wide array of finds this week from highly well reviewed new fiction, memoirs of experiencing freedom as well as encounters with those we know and those we don’t as we go about our days, and the return of two different series, one that take us to a Spanish island, and another that centers around Rob Lowe’s ‘unstable’ character’s life in LA. Also, a new movie filmed in the gorgeous countryside of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and a new musical coming to London that adapts a favorite fashion film. I cannot forget the two delicious new cookbooks, clothing finds to prep you for autumn’s arrival as well as a perfect summer shift dress that will keep you comfortable and timelessly stylish. Still, there is much more. 

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