A favorite British cosy mystery series is back for its third season, a much-enjoyed French series is back for its fifth, and there are books on strengthening relationships, living like Jane Austen, French-flower inspiration for the garden and the home, an insider’s guide to where to go in Paris and a wonderful new book from a long-trusted American-living in Paris writer about the Louvre. Also, quite a few films, heartwarming, wise and insightful. A new comedy series co-starring Nathan Lane and crew, and my latest and long-shopped for garden tool that you may be searching for as well. Plus we have stripes and linen and statement jewelry and two sales of significant savings for both the closet and the kitchen. Still, there is more!

Books

—The Book You Want Everyone You Love to Read: Sane And Sage Advice to Help You Navigate All of Your Most Important Relationships by Phillippa Perry

From the UK, a self-help book from international bestselling psychotherapist Philippa Perry, The Book You Want Everyone You Love to Read, shows you how to approach life’s most common desired-to-be-solved problems: How do you find and keep love? What can you do to manage conflict better? How can you get unstuck and cope with change and loss? What does it mean to you to be content? Are other people just annoying, or are you the problem?

Released about 18 months ago, it continues to be a highly shared and discussed book by readers who are finding helpful advice to apply to their everyday lives.

—The Gatsby Gambit: A Novel by Claire Anderson Wheeler

Being released on April 1st, The Gatsby Gambit centers around Jay Gatsby’s younger sister, Greta. At the age of 21, she is “finally free of her dull finishing school, and looking forward to an idyllic summer at the Gatsby Mansion, the jewel of West Egg. From its breathtaking views to its eccentric denizens, Greta is eager to inhale it all–even to the predictable disapproval of Mrs Dantry, Jay’s exacting housekeeper. Indeed, nothing could disrupt the blissful time Greta has planned… except finding out that Jay’s cadre of dubious friends—Daisy and Tom Buchanan, along with Nick Carraway and Jordan Baker—will be summering there, too.”

As the summer begins with all ensembled, “soon, bad blood is the least of their problems, as a shocking event sets the Gatsby household reeling. Death has come to West Egg, and with it, a web of scandal, betrayal, and secrets. Turning sleuth isn’t how Greta meant to spend her summer—but what choice does she have, when everyone else seems intent on living in a world of make-believe?”

A creative exploration of a classic tale introducing readers to a new character with others we long have known and remember.

—You Don’t Have to Have a Dream: And Other Life Lessons by Tim Minchin

Author and comedian Tim Minchin has been described as Charlie Mackesy meets Kurt Vonnegut, and in his new book being released on Tuesday April 1st, You Don’t Have to Have a Dream, Minchin, who became well-known following his viral “9 Life Lessons”, transforms three of his most adored speeches into a book designed to inspire, amuse, and create a sense of wonder.

“All captured through Minchin’s unique humor and tenderness. He shares his guiding life principles such as: -Be hard on your opinions; -Define yourself by what you love; -Be a teacher; and -Exercise!” Andrew Rae’s illustrations pair with the book’s stark honesty that reminds readers that our existence on this earth is fleeting and all that matters is that you fill it with passion, creativity, and laughter. 

—Zen in the Garden: The Japanese Art of Peaceful Gardening by Miki Sakamoto 

Released in 2023, Zen in the Garden brings Miki Sakamoto’s bestselling book from Japan now translated into English to share her thoughtful meditations on the tranquility found in the garden throughout the seasons. Sakamoto shares “observations from a life spent in contemplation—and cultivation—of nature. From rising early to walk barefoot on the grass each morning, to afternoons and evenings spent sipping tea in her gazebo or watching fireflies as she recalls her childhood in Japan”, in Zen in the Garden be inspired to savor even more thoughtfully and engage more fully with all of the awe that surrounds us as we move through the seasons with Mother Nature.

The cover alone caught my eye, and then the peaceful content full of contemplative appreciation sealed the deal, Zen in the Garden looks like a wonderful book for meditative reading. I look forward to adding it to my library.

British Finds

—Beyond Paradise, season 3, BritBox

I just love this series. Set in a small town along the Devon coastline, the cast of Beyond Paradise is back. Kicking off season 3, or continuing (as the Christmas special technically was season 3) on Friday March 28th, look for eight new episodes with a new one dropping each Friday. Have a look at the trailer below.

—The Bookshop, the Draper, the Candlestick Maker: A History of the High Street by Annie Gray

A worthwhile exploration to better understand the worries of times gone by and discover more parallels than we might have imagined to current worries and stresses about the local businesses we hope will endure. Being released on Tuesday, Annie Gray’s The Bookshop, the Draper, the Candlestick Maker explores the question of whether or not the modern-day cry that the British high street is dying is truly news, or are our present concerns so different from those of the past?

Historian Gray “takes us down the street and through the ages, from medieval marketplaces to the purpose-built concrete precincts still standing today. Peeping inside the windows of tailors, tearooms and grocers, we explore everything from the toyshops of yesteryear – places where curiosities were sold for adults rather than children – to the birth of brands we still shop at today.”

—Living with Jane Austen by Janet Todd

Released last week on March 20th, Janet Todd’s Living with Jane Austen was “written to coincide with Austen’s 250th birthday and is part personal memoir, part expert interaction with all the letters, manuscripts and published novels, Janet Todd’s book reveals what living with Jane Austen has meant to her and what it might also mean to others. Todd celebrates the undimmable power of Austen’s work to help us understand our own bodies and our environment, and teach us about patience, humour, beauty and the meaning of home.”

Film

—The Friend

Dog parents, dog-lovers, good friends, what does it mean to be a true friend to both the human and pup variety? In a new movie starring Bill Murray and Naomi Watts, The Friend, tells the story of a writer (Watts) who adopts a Great Dane that belonged to a late friend and mentor (Murray). Have a look at the trailer below and look for it in theaters beginning today.

—The Life List, Netflix

Now available on Netflix, The Life List centers around a young woman who, motivated by a list accompanied by videos prerecorded by her mother who recently passed away, prompts her to “revisit her childhood aspirations, endeavoring to achieve her old goals, only to discover that pursuing these lifelong dreams takes her on an unforeseen and surprising journey”. Have a look at the trailer below.

—LIZA: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story

A new documentary telling the life story of the one and only Liza Manelli: LIZA: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story, is about to debut. Look for the film to be aired on PBS Masterpiece on April 1st. Have a look at the trailer below.

—The Penguin Lessons

Inspired by a true story, The Penguin Lessons is adapted from Tom Michell’s memoir of the same name and stars Oscar nominee Steve Coogan in a dramedy from director Peter Cattaneo that “follows an Englishman’s personal and political awakening after he adopts a penguin during a cataclysmic period in Argentine history”. Have a look at the trailer below and look for it in theaters beginning today.

Francophile Finds

—Adventures in the Louvre: How to Fall in Love with the World’s Greatest Museum by Elaine Sciolino 

Already preordered and looking forward to beginning to read when it arrives on Tuesday is Elaine Sciolino’s Adventures in the Louvre. Having had the opportunity to have just visited this famed museum while in Paris (read about the visit here in the first Travel Diary post), no doubt this book would have been helpful. 🙂 “Exploring galleries, basements, rooftops, and gardens, Sciolino demystifies the Louvre, introducing us to her favorite artworks, both legendary and overlooked, and to the people who are the museum’s lifeblood: the curators, the artisans producing frames and engravings, the builders overseeing restorations, the firefighters protecting the aging structure.”

—Do It in Paris: An Insiders Guide to 450 Places to Visit, Sites to See, and Things to Do by the Editors at Do It In Paris

Also being released on Tuesday is the ultimate reference guide to the best things to do in Paris—many of which are hidden or unexpected. “Do It in Paris contains 450 of the best sites, attractions, and things to do with a unique twist: these exceptional destinations are the key to experiencing Paris like a local and to discovering the city’s hidden gems including little known museums, hole-in-the-wall boîtes, and other unexpected places that have a truly ‘only in Paris’ quality.” In the meantime, explore their website here.

—Flower Couture: From My Garden to My House by Cordelia De Castellane 

Cordellia De Castellane turns her eyes to the gorgeous garden of her own private residence in the French countryside to offer insight into how she makes nature her muse in Flower Couture. “From delicate spring blossoms to vibrant summer bouquets starring on sun-kissed tables, autumnal herbariums, and enchanting winter fetes, each chapter is about a color of her favorite flowers and is complete with informative captions and texts uncovering her tips for living and entertaining à la française. De Castellane offers her recipes for bouquets and perfect tablescaping with examples from her own house: readers discover the journey of a flower from the garden to the tabletop.”

Being released on April 8th and just in time for the start of the gardening season to provide oodles of garden and French infused inspiration.

—L’Agence, (aka The Paris Agency), season 5, Netflix

The previous season (4) of L’Agence was in my opinion the best so far, thus why I chose it as a Petit Plaisir. And so, I have elevated hopes for this new season. Season 5 of The Paris Agency (the name under which it will appear on US and UK Netflix apps) will premiere on April 2nd, and if this real-state reality show appears and presents itself differently than other similar shows, you are right. Valentin Kretz explained in a recent interview that there is a “real difference between U.S shows and our show, and I think you can see it. Ours is 99% true to life. That’s why it’s a series that is quite tough and very long to produce. We shoot over the course of a year, whereas in the U.S. they have to do one season in two and a half months.” Needless to say, if they keep taking us around France and giving us glimpses into beautiful homes and cultures, I am watching. The family is lovely to observe, and there isn’t the heightened, unnecessary drama, something I greatly appreciate so we can just enjoy the architecture and history and place of each listing.

Garden

—Burgon & Ball Estate Dibber

I mentioned on TSLL’s garden IG account @lepapillongarden last weekend that I finally found the tool I have been searching for for quite some time. Common in UK garden sheds, less common here in the states, is the dibber. And a well-made dibber at that is not something I was able to locate here in the US when I did happen upon the tool. Looking for a T-handle and metal tip, I finally came across one while visiting Parc Botanique de Haute Bretagne while in France (shared in the second Travel Diary post here), and quickly purchased it.

Here is one that is available in the states made by the UK gardening brand trusted for their high-quality wooden garden tools – Burgon & Ball, and endorsed by the National Trust.

“The high carbon point has a powdered coating reducing the risk of corrosion and measurements are marked for even planting. A wonderful tool for planting seeds and bulbs.”

Kitchen

—Sur la Table’s 40% off sale

There is a worthwhile sale taking place at Sur la Table, and with Easter and then spring followed by end of school gatherings just around the corner, now is a great time to pick up those must-needed items to make the food you love.

40% off Le Creuset’s 8 qt oval Dutch Oven, many colors

—SHOP THE SALE:

Shopping

—Banana Republic Friends & Family Sale, 40% off

Another sale worth taking a look at as every single item is available at the 40% discount, so long as it is currently full-priced is Banana Republic’s Friends & Family Sale. All of the linen items especially are worth exploring as we prepare for summer.

High Rise, Wide-Leg Linen pants, two colors available

—SHOP THE SALE:

—The Boyfriend linen-cotton stripe button-up shirt

A classic, yet also with a modern touch as the stripes are larger and fewer is this Boyfriend shirt. Blending cotton and linen, The Boyfriend would work wonderfully paired with denim, paired with your linen pants, paired with whatever you would like as this is a versatile, timeless style and pattern.

—Pour Les Femmes, Oversize Short Set, Bel Air Stripe

One more striped item, but this time for sleeping!

—Salvador Necklace, Sézane

A statement, but a playful one, classic, yet whimsical. If you love the sea, if you want something that instantly finishes your outfit, this is a pendant necklace to consider.

—Veronica Beard Netto striped slub prima cotton-jersey top, 55% off

Oops! I forgot about this striped top, and at 55% off, it’s a great purchase for layering, for pairing with simple solids, and subtle jewelry for everyday spring style.

Television

—The Mid-Century Modern, Hulu

Starring Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, Linda Lavin, and Nathan Lee Graham comes The Mid-Century Modern. The same creators behind Will & Grace, Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, the series begins “after an unexpected (and accidental) death which prompts three best friends–gay gentlemen of a certain age–to decide to spend their golden years living together in Palm Springs, where the wealthiest one (Lane) lives with his mother.” Have a look at the trailer below and look for the first episode tonight on Hulu.

Looking up in Paris never disappoints. This explains why I now have so many photographs captured during my recent trip resembling the one above because when it is sunny in Paris, the cream-colored Lutetian limestone provides a tour worth taking all on its own without any ticket needed. Just pull on your most comfortable (and stylish) sneakers and put on your sunglasses and don’t forget the sunscreen.

While I may be back home in Bend, as one of TSLL’s members who joined us for dinner in Paris described perfectly and upon returning home shared with me, “Paris lingers”. Indeed it does. For me, Paris and Brittany most definitely still linger, and I share much of the reason why in the latest Travel Diary post here.

However, I am tickled to be back at Le Papillon, both because Nelle and I are back together again AND the garden is emerging into spring (check out the first star of the garden here). Just yesterday, the yearly compost delivery arrived, so this weekend, I will be shoveling and placing it throughout all of the border and boulevards.

How has your week unfolded? Hopefully the first full week of the new season has gone well, and you are taking in the birdsong, savoring the rain and delighting in the blossoms and new foliage making its way to Mother Nature’s stage.

Next week on the blog we step back into the regular posting schedule you have become accustomed to, and as I will be sharing in the monthly newsletter that will arrive on March 31st in subscribers inboxes (sign up for free here), look for April to include the annual TOP Tier Membership sale as well as content inspired by my travels to France (more details on exactly what are shared in the newsletter as well as the dates for the sale).

And before wrapping up, sending all mums in Britain (pup and feline mums too!) Happy Mother’s Day wishes. Thank you for stopping by today, and may the weekend present moments to appreciate, snuggles to treasure and oodles of everyday moments to savor. Until Monday, bonne journée!

~The 20 best butters from around the world, and many come from Brittany and Normandy! Thank you to Kim G., long-time reader of TSLL for sharing this list. [Taste Atlas]

—Five Ways to Move Beyond the Monster of Self-Doubt and Pursue Your Passion [Good News Network]

~19 simple garden ideas for every style, size and budget [House & Garden UK]

~I will admit, I always have French cheese along with a small chunk of Parmesan in my fridge. So this article was one I was curious to read, and perhaps you will be as well. The 3 Cheeses That a Professional Cheesemonger Always Keeps in Her Fridge [Food + Wine]

~Great food for thought about what type of an approach you prefer to take when it comes to decorating and I think I might fit into this description, most definitely – Is middlemalism a valid decorating philosophy? I say yes! [House & Garden UK]

~Take a look at the new high-speed train now set to begin running in France in 2026. A double-decker and more leg-room! [EuroNews]

~I definitely found myself nodding along with most of the items mentioned. On the hunt for a #7, and my #12 is navy, but I agree completely with having one (maybe a couple :)) 13 Elegant pieces that will make your wardrobe even more luxurious [Who What Wear UK]

~Five accessible hikes around Paris [Do It In Paris]

~Pondering a trip to Bordeaux (often called the unofficial 21st arrondissement of Paris, although there are many other cities that have acquired this description as well, Deauville sits atop the list). Here are some recommendations of what to do during a 3-day trip. [French Today]

~Here is a list of the latest new travel rules for traveling to the UK and/or Europe. Europe has pushed back again the ETIAS, but the similar new rule is up and running in the UK. [WSJ, subscription required]

~Nora Ephron’s films are classic modern day rom-coms, and many of them have been appreciated for their décor as well. Why this Nora Ephron aesthetic is an ideal Spring Decor approach to explore. [Real Simple]

~The Best Hotel Restaurants and Bars in Paris according to friend of The Simple Sophisticate podcast (ep. #285) Lindsay Tramuta! [Eater]

~Step inside British interior designer Rita Konig’s London home, recently remodeled and entirely complete. In her recent Create Academy decorating course, the primary bedroom (the bed) wasn’t finished, and so this video is worth watching for the entire tour (her bed is gorgeous!), including a look into her garden. [Schumacher 1889]

~Explore last week’s This & That: March 21, 2025

Books about being a grown-up from the professor that taught the constantly over-filled course at Boston College, books about gardening, stress and cookbooks too. A new French series (for us here in the states) starring a favorite French actress and the original French series that sparked a US version. Also, stripes for everyday style, copper for the kitchen and still much more!

~Please note: TSLL is supported by you, readers who take the time to stop by (merci!), peruse and sometimes welcome into your life mentioned and recommended finds. Affiliate links are present in today’s post and may earn commissions for TSLL when you purchase. View TSLL’s full Privacy Policy here.