Three fantastic new films debut today in theaters, a new series reviving a British classic, books on a wide array of topics – listening more than we talk, eating more consciously for ourselves and the planet’s well-being, the science and art of longevity, a book for bibliophiles and a new find for Anglophiles who love a good cozy mystery; as well, quite a few clothing finds and two great sales of note, a cookbook for dessert lovers that dials down the unnecessary sweetness and turns up the deliciousness, and still there is much more!

Books

—Book Madness: A Story of Book Collectors in America by Denise Gigante

For the bibliophiles! Released this past November and told through the sale of Charles Lamb’s library in 1848 that took place in New York. Consisting of sixty books, most in fairly bad condition, it was a sensational news story of its day. “Following those books through the stories of the bibliophiles who shaped intellectual life in America—booksellers, publishers, journalists, editors, bibliographers, librarians, actors, antiquarians, philanthropists, politicians, poets, clergymen—Denise Gigante brings to life a lost world of letters at a time when Americans were busy assembling the country’s major public, university, and society libraries.”

—The First Editions Club, Roundabout Books (Bend, Oregon)

I wandered into my local independent bookshop, Roundabout Books and saw the staff preparing to ship out their First Editions Club latest book. Asking a bit more about this book club, I learned the title is a complete secret to members, always a new release, so thus, a first edition, and this particular delivery will be their first non-fiction title. Beginning a couple of years ago, all previous titles have been fiction (you can look at the list of books here). Similar to what Shaun Bythel sends out to his Random Book Club members from his Scottish used book shop, the subscribing members are surprised each month by what they receive, which makes it all the more intriguing if you are someone who wishes to stretch your selection of books.

—Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Dr. Peter Attia

Being released this coming Tuesday, Dr. Peter Attia’s new book Outlive reveals a truth many of us know all too well, “mainstream medicine has failed to make much progress against the diseases of aging that kill most people: heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and type 2 diabetes”; what he proposes in his new book “is not ‘biohacking,’ it’s science: a well-founded strategic and tactical approach to extending lifespan while also improving our physical, cognitive, and emotional health. Dr. Attia’s aim is less to tell you what to do and more to help you learn how to think about long-term health, in order to create the best plan for you as an individual.”

—The Power of Keeping Your Mouth Shut in an Endlessly Noisy World by Dan Lyons

While a bit of an aggressive title (I have edited it here on the blog), I still felt what Dan Lyons was bringing to our attention was worth exploring. “Lyons combines leading behavioral science with actionable advice on how to communicate with intent, think critically, and open your mind and ears to the world around you.” You can listen to him discuss the topic of his book briefly here on CBS Sunday Morning.

—Ravenous: How to get ourselves and our planet in shape by Henry Dimbleby and Jemima Lewis

Beginning with the claim by the authors that “the food system is no longer simply a means of sustenance. It is one of the most successful, most innovative and most destructive industries on earth”. Henry Dimbleby and Jemima Lewis in Ravenous, “takes us behind the scenes to reveal the mechanisms that act together to shape the modern diet – and therefore the world. [They] explain not just why the food system is leading us into disaster, but what can be done about it.” Released this past week, The Financial Times brought this title to my attention and catch it, it did.

British Finds

—The Lost King

My weekend plans are set! I have been looking forward to watching this movie based on a true story. The Lost King stars Sally Hawkins as Philippa Langley, the amateur historian “who defies the stodgy academic establishment in her efforts to find King Richard III’s remains, which were lost for over 500 years.” Have a look at the trailer below and look for it in theaters now.

—Pignon Scorbion & the Barbershop Detectives by Rick Bleiweiss (book 1 of 2 in series)

One more delightful discovery made whilst popping into my local independent bookshop earlier this week was a new cozy mystery series, and while set in England, it is written by a fellow Oregonian who lives in Ashland! Rick Bleiweiss has created a jovial and savvy detective team in his Pignon Scorbion series. The first book shown here with the blue cover, was released last February and the second was released just recently. I have picked up the first and have begun to read it, and if the first few pages are any indication, I think I am very much going to enjoy the setting. Drawing inspiration from Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes’ Dr. Watson, be enchanted as you are swept back to 1910 to solve a caper with the barbershop detectives.

Cookbooks

—Sweet Enough: A Dessert cookbook by Alison Roman

Being released this coming Tuesday and already one of the most anticipated cookbooks of 2023, bestselling author Alison Roman’s Sweet Enough has been known to make “recipes so perfect that they go by one name—The Cookie, The Pasta, The Lemon Cake—she was a restaurant pastry chef who spent most of her time learning to make things the hard way. She studied flavor, technique, and precision, then distilled her knowledge to pare it all down to create dessert recipes that feel special and approachable, impressive and doable. In Sweet Enough, Alison has written the book for people who think they don’t have the time or skill to pull off dessert. Here, the desserts you want to make right away, you can make right away.” Okay, I am in! And my appetite is already thanking me.

Films

—Chantilly Bridge

Perhaps you watched the film Chantilly Lace way back in 1993? Well, twenty-five years later, the same brilliant actresses from that film, Linda Yellen’s groundbreaking Sundance hit, return to bring their characters to life in Chantilly Bridge. Being released today, this unique cinematic experience travels back and forth between films, and the characters’ memories implode on the present. With unpredictable humor and searing honesty they confront old resentments, celebrate new milestones, and rediscover the unbreakable bond among friends who knew one another when and are there for one another now.” Have a look at the trailer and I have a feeling you will want to explore this sequel. Learn more about the plot here in a review by Roger Moore.

—Juniper

A film newly released in the states, our local boutique movie house is sharing it this weekend, but a film that has been around in its country of origin for a year or so (New Zealand) is Juniper. Starring Charlotte Rampling (an Academy Award nominee), she stars as a feisty, alcoholic grandmother who has a broken leg and needs supervision. Her son choosing his teenage son to provide such supervision as he is suspended from school, and the film shares how their time together turns his life around. Have a look at the trailer below and look for it either streaming or in theaters.

Francophile Finds

—My Stylish French Box, Vive le Printemps! (May 2023)

If you haven’t already signed up Sharon Santoni’s My Stylish French Box‘s upcoming delivery in May, now is a great time. The theme for this box is in alignment with the seasons – le Printemps! Send one to a loved one, and that might just be yourself! 😌

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—Un Soir à l’Opera Candles, Spring Sale

Use promo code Spring23 until March 29th to save 20% off most items on the site, such as the Marriage of Figaro, Citrus Rose scent seen below. I thoroughly enjoy this French company’s candles and included them in my favorite list of just such a list – 10 French candles I love here.

Shopping

—Boden, site-wide sale (up to 50% off)

Boden is having an early spring sale, with most items marked quite nicely – yep, up to 50% off. I have shopped a couple of items below (their one piece swimsuits caught my eye – solid colors available as well), but be sure to shop all types of items and discover great prices.

—Mango Denim Jacket w/Belt

—Ralph Lauren Short Double-Breasted Trench Coat (khaki & dark navy available)

—Rough Linen, Mirage linen scarf, many colors

I recently had a friend reach out to me who is traveling to France, specifically the Dordogne region and then traveling down to northern Spain and asked what she should pack, and one must have item I will always recommend as the weather will be warming up but will still be fickle is a linen scarf. For men and women, having a linen scarf is akin to having a light jacket and ideal for layering and easy to remove or add as the weather changes.

—Veronica Beard, Sale 25% off

Another sale of note, including items from their spring collection is the 25% off spring sale. Selecting many of the favorites, such as this houndstooth jacket, save 25% with promo code FAVORITES25.

Television

—Great Expectations, Hulu

Premiering March 26th, this Sunday, Olivia Colman stars as Miss Havesham in Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations. A limited series consisting of six episodes, have a look at the trailer below and watch it on Hulu.

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For a couple of days this past week the sun shone brilliantly, and while it wasn’t entirely warm, it was beautiful and the crocuses said hello along with the hellebores (look for March’s Gardening post to be shared on Monday – I have been waiting for the snow to melt, and finally it is gone! In town, that is – the mountain is still generously covered in snow – wahoo!). And even though while I was typing today’s post, the snow blew and roared through the neighborhood, it didn’t stick, and the daffodils continue to push ever upward.

A full week behind the scenes these past handful of days, and I am excited about what is in store for the month of April as well as May on the blog and podcast. Interviews have been recorded and scheduled with two people discussing their new books I thoroughly enjoyed, plans are being made for this year’s Annual British Week and giveaway gifts are arriving at Le Papillon as I type (tune in to April’s A Cuppa Moments to discover what one of the six will be this year! And remember as well, the cup & saucer from Cassandra’s Kitchen is a separate giveaway, not associated with British Week and will be given out the first week of April – so don’t forget to watch on April 1st to see how to enter).

Did you by chance check out the most popular post of the year this week on the blog? Yep, Wednesday’s Signature Style post was a hit – full of conversation on Mastering Quintessential French Effortless Style, as well as detailing and shopping the eight sartorial components to include, the post also announced an updated newsletter for those TSLL readers who never want to miss a Style post. Learn more about the Style Inspiration newsletter (free!) here.

I have been a bit behind on responding to comments and emails this week; I do apologize for this as the week’s posts, interviews for the podcast as well as my French classes (we dove into passé composé – yowzer!) have required most of my time and mental focus. Please know I have received and thoroughly enjoyed reading all that you have shared and look forward to catching up soon.

And now to the weekend! Oh, but first! For fellow gardeners out there, wasn’t last week’s premiere episode of the new season of Gardeners’ World spectacular? I just loved it, each segment, and now am looking forward to settling in with my cuppa and two snuggly pups this Saturday to watch the second episode as it looks to be a snowy weekend in Bend that may not enable outside gardening time.

Okay! Now to this week’s shared links and one video. Thank you for stopping by today and wishing you a wonderful first weekend of spring/autumn! Until Monday, bonne journée!

—Garance Doré, following recently being married this past January (see all the photos here), has premiered a new podcast titled Le Rendezvous, and this was a recent episode I enjoyed listening to.

~Ahhh, thank you for writing this post Introvert, Dear 😌 The Mental Health Benefits of Spending Time Alone as an Introvert.

—Gardeners, this is for you – What we learn from leafing through seed catalogs [The New Yorker]

~I recently read, well more like poured through, Jenna Granneman’s and Andre Sólo’s new book Sensitive in a matter of 24-hours this past weekend; Granneman and Sólo are the founders of the blog, Sensitive Refuge that shared this post as well: The art of boundary setting for HSPs, a necessary skill to learn for everyone. Look for an upcoming episode of the podcast focused on what I found insightful and elevating when it comes to celebrating being an HSP while reading Sensitive – a book I highly recommend for HSPs but also for anyone who loves an HSP.

~A post to ponder, Maybe you don’t need to talk to someone (aka a therapist). [Positive Prescription]

~Head’s up fans of Tony Shaloub who stared for multiple seasons of the award-winning show Monk, it’s time to celebrate! Monk returns in a new film titled Mr. Monk’s Last Case. It will premiere on Peacock later this year. You’ve been alerted! [Vulture]

~And because I just adore David Schwimmer (aka Ross from FRIENDS for anyone . . . does any not know who Ross is? 🙃), here are a few clips from his time in the British baking tent (aka as the Great British Bake-Off’s Stand Up to Cancer episode). Get ready to chuckle. ☺️

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~Explore last week’s This & That: March 17, 2023

~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.