The books are plentiful this week and in a wide array of genres – decorating, embracing your inner weirdness, making a new life in Provence, historical fiction by an author who has carved out her name in this genre, the life of a writer, and how to converse effectively even while having different perspectives. Also, a new British comedy that comes highly recommended, a return of a French mystery series, and a British mystery one too! And this is just the start of all the premieres on television that are taking place this coming week. Also, sales on style staples for spring, and whoa, there is still more!

Art

—Renoir and Love: A Joyful Modernity, Musée d’Orsay

Opening just this past Tuesday, March 17th, and running through July 19th, a new exhibit spotlighting Pierre Auguste Renoir opens. Focusing on how he “depicts in his paintings in the public space, the new, modern social and natural settings – theaters, restaurants, guinguettes, boulevards and gardens – frequented by various social classes,” moments that capture joyful, discreet and tender vision.”

“This exhibition, co-organized with the National Gallery in London and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, reexamines Renoir’s fundamental contributions to impressionism and 19^th-century art history through the complex, universal notion of love, the central driving force of his work. It provides a new perspective on paintings that are so well-known that it has become difficult to perceive how radical they are. For the first time since 1985 (the year the last Renoir retrospective was held in Paris, at the Grand Palais), some of the artist’s and impressionism’s greatest masterpieces will be brought together in France.”

Oh, how I wish I could see this, having learned so much about Renoir and his friendship with Berthe Morisot in one of her biographies. If you have the chance, be sure to check this exhibit out.

Books

—The Beauty of Being Weird: A Psychologist’s Guide to Living Guilt-Free by Sergi Rufi 

Being released on March 24th, The Beauty of Being Weird “presents a real reflection on what it means to be human, the root causes of suffering, and, above all, how to avoid the unhappiness of the mainstream. He invites us on a transformative journey that goes beyond good and evil, beyond blame and shame, where unabashed weirdness becomes a breeding ground for authenticity, justice, health, and beauty.”

—Daughters of Egypt: A Novel by Marie Benedict

Marie Benedict’s novels, each inspired by real people with historic stories worth knowing, continue to be a treat to read. And her latest, Daughters of Egypt, will be released on Tuesday, March 24th. With my copy preordered, I look forward to learn more about two intriguing women: Lady Evelyn Herbert and Hatshepsut. “In the 1920s, archeologist Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle made headlines around the world with the discovery of the treasure-filled tomb of the boy Pharaoh Tutankhamun. But behind it all stood Lady Evelyn Herbert―daughter of Lord Carnarvon―whose daring spirit and relentless curiosity made the momentous find possible.

“Nearly 3,000 years earlier, another woman defied the expectations of her time: Hatshepsut, Egypt’s lost pharaoh. Her reign was bold, visionary―and nearly erased from history. 

“When Evelyn becomes obsessed with finding Hatshepsut’s secret tomb, she risks everything to uncover the truth about her reign and keep valued artifacts in Egypt, their rightful home. But as danger closes in and political tensions rise, she must make an impossible choice: protect her father’s legacy―or forge her own.”

—My Grandfather, the Master Detective by Masateru Konishi

Selling more than 200,000 copies in Japan, My Grandfather, the Master Detective has been described as “a Japanese The Thursday Murder Club. Just released this past Tuesday, twenty-seven-year-old schoolteacher Kaede is “a lover of classic crime stories, and it’s no surprise that as a schoolteacher, many everyday mysteries unfold in the day. Solving them is another matter, though. For that, she turns to her beloved grandfather, who retains a keen sharpness of mind despite his dementia, and who was once a key member of The Waseda Mystery Club. From impossible locked room murders to confounding missing persons cases, the grandfather-granddaughter duo “weave stories” to get to the bottom of every mystery. But all the while, an insidious shadow from Kaede’s past slowly closes in on her . . .”

—How to Disagree Better by Julia Minson

Being released on Tuesday, March 24th, How to Disagree Better comes from Harvard Kennedy School professor and behavioral scientist Julia Minson, who “reveals the counterintuitive secret to a life of less drama and more impact.”

“In How to Disagree Better, Minson brings to bear her decades of research into understanding the psychology of disagreement and its relevance to negotiations, conflict resolution, and decision-making, revealing the hidden skill that all the best mediators and negotiators share: displaying receptiveness to opposing views.

“The science shows that receptive individuals don’t just fight less, they also get more done—they are better decision-makers, better peacemakers, and yes, better influencers than the rest of us. Through original research and case studies, How to Disagree Better will show you why traditional persuasion strategies don’t work as well as you think they do, how you can bridge division and reach better outcomes simply by utilizing receptiveness strategies, and that disagreeing better is a skill all of us can learn to apply at home, at work, and with our neighbors.”

—The Layered Home: An Interior Design Book: Inspiration for Crafting Cozy, Collected Rooms by Benjamin Reynaert

I stumbled upon this new book while perusing through Domino (read this article to discover what Reynaert’s book is all about), and found it to be a book that speaks to the language of those who love decorating, as so many of the British interior designers inspire us to want to be able to do – layering that looks effortless.

In The Layered Home, magazine editor and stylist Benjamin Reynaert takes you on a journey through exquisitely decorated homes lived in by creative and curious people to help train your eye. “From the United Kingdom and Paris to Delaware, Mississippi, and California, these homes artfully integrate patterns, colors, textures, art, furniture, and objects to create interiors that are as unique as the people who live in them. More than 200 photographs capture home tours of stunning maximalist homes, and Benjamin’s talks with his favorite tastemakers reveal tips and tricks on collecting, arranging objects, and modifying rooms over time.”

I am quite looking forward to picking up a copy and learning this skill as I so love rooms such as he captures throughout his book.

—The Writer’s Room: The Hidden Worlds That Shape the Books We Love by Katie da Cunha Lewin

The author, Katie da Cunha Lewin, begins with her own secondhand writing desk, “inviting us to consider how these environments embody the craft of writing and shape the literary works we love. She paints vivid portraits of Woolf’s garden room at Monk’s House, Emily Brontë’s shared table in the parsonage, Sigmund Freud’s study with its legendary couch, and the bustling Parisian cafés where Ernest Hemingway crafted stories in notebooks. She dismantles the familiar furniture of the writer’s room to cast it in a surprising new light, from the hotel rooms where Maya Angelou wrote poetry to the busses where Lauren Elkin wrote on her phone to the kitchen tables around which Audre Lorde and the founders of Women of Color Press convened.” The Writer’s Room “takes readers inside literature’s creative spaces to explore this tantalizing question: What is it that fascinates us about the writer’s room?”

British Finds

—Beyond Paradise, season 4, BBC One

Quickly becoming one of my favorite current cozy British mystery series on television, Beyond Paradise returns next Friday on BBC One. I wanted to share this with you today instead of next Friday because for those in the UK, Friday, March 27th, will begin before we wake up here in the states, and I didn’t want you to miss out ☺️. This new season returns us to Devon, where the relationships of the primary cast deepen and their personal storylines unfold, while each episode solves a crime of some sort. There will be six episodes in the new season, and if you don’t happen to live in the UK, you can watch via a VPN as the new season arrives on BritBox quite a while later in the year.

—The Forsytes, PBS Masterpiece

If you are looking for a new British period drama to watch, The Forsytes may be just what you are looking for. Inspired by John Galsworthy’s celebrated Forsyte Saga novels, The Forsytes portrays events that take place before those covered in Galsworthy’s books. This television series (the first season will consist of six episodes) “chronicles the trials and triumphs of a wealthy Victorian stockbroking family, whose generations find themselves torn between tradition and the personal pursuit of happiness. Have a look at the trailer below, and watch it on PBS Masterpiece beginning this Sunday, March 22nd.

—Shakespeare Thinking by David Womersley 

Released earlier this month, Thinking Through Shakespeare “explores four perennial human problems: personal identity, the distinction between civilization and barbarism, the relation between political power and religious authority, and the tension between means and ends. It examines the history of these problems, from antiquity to today, and traces how Shakespeare engages with them in the great tragedies—Othello, Hamlet, Macbeth and King Lear—but also in his other plays. Without arguing that human nature is universal or unchanging, or that Shakespeare has some special access to timeless wisdom, the book makes the case that his drama is powerful because it serves as a forensic tool, probing rival perspectives on questions that have preoccupied many people in many societies over many centuries.

“By revealing in new ways how Shakespeare’s plays are animated and driven by central human problems, and why he should again be viewed as the great poet of human nature, Thinking Through Shakespeare opens up a richer understanding and appreciation of his work.”

—Small Prophets, BBC Two

A big thank you to long-time member Sarah H., who hails from the UK, for introducing me to this new comedy series. Small Prophets premiered earlier this year (six episodes available) and looks quite enjoyable. Here’s the premise:

“Since Clea went missing seven years ago, Michael Sleep follows the same daily routine. He works at the DIY shop, goes to visit his dad, Brian, at the care home, then returns to his cluttered house and wonders if he will ever see his girlfriend again. But one day, Clea’s brother shows up, threatening to disrupt the status quo.

“Time seems to be running out when Brian mentions a mystical recipe written in an old journal, insisting that this is Michael’s chance to find the answers he’s been longing for.” Have a look at the trailer below.

Films

—Mr. Burton

How did the well-known actor Richard Burton come to be who he is known forever known? Enter Mr. Burton. Nope, not a typo because Burton wasn’t, as many fans will know, his actual surname. It was his teacher, schoolmaster Philip Burton. In this new film, released last year and available today in the States, Mr. Burton tells the story of how Philip Burton becomes a mentor to Richard Jenkins, a working-class Welsh schoolboy who becomes Richard Burton, one of the most celebrated actors of his generation.” Oomph, that’s a lot of Burton talk :). Have a look at the trailer below.

Francophile Finds

—Mismatch, season 3, MHzChoice

A series that is quite fun, while also being dramatic in regards to both the crimes they solve and the main characters’ personal lives, Mismatch is back. The series centers around two half-sisters with clashing personalities – a cop and a judge – who work together to bring criminals to justice.” Set in Strasbourg, have a peek at the first episode in the new season.

—The Count of Monte Cristo, PBS Masterpiece

—Forays in France: A Flavorful Memoir by Irvina Lew

Spanning a lifetime, Irvina Lew’s memoir “shares deliciously engaging anecdotes about her food-centric sojourns in Paris, on the Riviera, and in France’s wine regions, from her first classes at the Sorbonne in 1958 to her most recent course there in 2025.” Read more about the author and her story here in a detailed post on France Today’s blog.

—The Little Provence Bookshop: A Novel by Gillian Harvey

From the bestselling author of A Year at the French Farmhouse and The Bordeaux Bookclub comes her latest novel, The Little Provence Bookshop. A young single mother, escaping from her past, arrives in a small Provence town and begins working in a bookshop. This bookshop, owned by the mysterious Monique, is where she will find friendships, love, and a place for a new start.

—Sisley Friends and Family Sale

Sisley is having a worth-checking-out sale if you use any of their products regularly (I always have their Nutritive Lip Balm on my bedroom table to apply before bed and to start the day). I have picked out three items below, but the entire site looks to be on great discount.

Shopping

—Boden, sale, up to 50% off site-wide

Prep for spring and summer and save with Boden’s current sale. All items that are not new are reduced by up to 50%, and use promo code XCRM to save 15% on new arrivals. I have shopped a few items below that caught my eye.

~SHOP THE SALE:

—Boss Superfine Merino Wool Cardigan, many colors

We talked about Sweaters that Last in Part Trois of The Signature Style series, and this superfine merino wool cardigan caught my eye. Available at a fair price, designed for layering or ideal for warming-up weather, it can be dressed up or down.

—Frame Friend’s & Family Sale

Another worthwhile sale to check out, especially for denim, is Frame’s Friends & Family sale. Everything in the sale is reduced 25% off (taken at checkout, no promo code required). I have shopped a few items below as well as wanted to bring to your attention this pair of jeans.

These Straight denim Trousers (two washes), with a 34″ inseam look timeless and easy to dress up and down. Aside from this style, if you are looking for another fit, many others are included in the sale. This is the brand I recently purchased The Vertical and The Ruler jeans and am loving them both.

~SHOP THE SALE:

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Spring officially arrives today, and depending on where you are, you are either really feeling it (Paris, London, and yep, here in Bend too!) or you’re not (Quebec, east coast, etc.). Wherever you find yourself, we know that the seasons are changing (technically, they always are, aren’t they 😉), and so spying signs of the change is a treat to see. Looking up on our walk yesterday, I spotted these petite pink blossoms – a smile immediately emerged, and Nelle obliged a slight delight in our toodling as I had to snap a photo.

The week was busy in the garden here at Le Papillon, and I will be sharing all that I have been up to in next week’s monthly gardening post (catch up on past posts here). And next week also brings the full in-depth tour of the office! I will also be sharing details about parquet flooring, the history, how to choose, and why it’s worth choosing this type of wood design.

I hope your week has gone well, and you are carving out time to nourish yourself regularly, tickle your curiosity (something we talked about in this week’s podcast episode – #422 as being one of seven approaches for living a fulfilling life), and savor everyday moments that bring a smile. Until Sunday, bonne journée!

~Home Tour of the Week: Herringbone flooring is on the mind, so when I saw Athena Calderone’s Manhattan apartment, I gawked. Gorgeous floors and woodwork. [Architectural Digest]

~Is Banksy identity now known? Reuters says yes.

~Speaking of paint! How to choose the right paint colours for every room in your house [House & Garden UK]

~Perhaps another reason I adore Brittany, they have the world’s best butter, and this IG post shares places to go in Saint Malo to explore it.

~Rita Konig’s kitchen and dining room decoration for Mother’s Day this past weekend. Loving all the daffodils.

~A thoughtful and inspiring post about stopping trying to be chosen, when it comes to love. [Tiny Buddha]

~Did you watch Drops of God, season 2? Here’s an interview with the French actress who stars as Camille, Fleur Geffrier. [Frenchly]

~Save for your next trip to Provence! The most beautiful hotels in the Luberon [Do It In Paris]

~10 Elements I Always Include in Every Home Decor Scheme to Make It a Place You Can’t Wait to Come Back To [Homes & Gardens UK]

~David Lebovitz’s recipe for Seville Orange Marmalade.

~A reminder to embrace the lessons that want to be learned, and if we avoid doing so (learning), how that manifests in our daily life (unhelpfully so). [Briana Wiest IG]

~And a new documentary that will be released soon, and one I have a feeling many TSLL readers will enjoy and find deeply moving — Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World

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~Explore last week’s edition of This & That: March 13th

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