Book Review- Rosecrans Baldwin's Paris, I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down

Whenever in Pasadena, I always visit Vromans Bookstore and head straight to the travel section. Rosecrans Baldwin's Paris, I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down was a find on my recent visit. Last summer, I visited two towns in southern France, but I'm still dreaming of going to Paris! (hint, hint to my husband)

PLOT- In his memoir, Paris, I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down, Rosecrans Baldwin recounts his eighteen months living in Paris. Baldwin and his wife, Rachel, are in their late-twenties and they seize the opportunity to live in another country, when Rosecrans is offered an opportunity as a copywriter at a French advertising agency. Paris, I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down, tells the highs and lows of attempting to live in a different culture.

LIKE- Within the first two pages of the book, I was laughing so hard that I had to stop and read paragraphs aloud to my husband. It was too funny to keep to myself. Baldwin's witty style of writing and keen observations kept me turning the page. Paris, I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down, was so enjoyable, that I found myself eschewing household chores and homework, because I wanted to read "just one more chapter." Fun stuff.

I like how Baldwin's experience was a rollercoaster. His time in France is peppered with colorful characters, cultural missteps, and lots of red tape. I get the feeling that both Baldwin and his wife, have a genuine love for Paris and the community of friends that they have made, but that they also miss many things about America. This is honest to me. My husband is English and I'm sure that if I moved to Great Britain, I'd feel the same mix of emotions. How could you not?

The cultural differences create many of the comedic situations in Baldwin's memoir, but Baldwin and his wife, navigate most of these differences with a good attitude and a sense of adventure. Many of the most entertaining chapters involve Baldwin's coworkers at the advertising agency. He has a quirky bunch of coworkers and a less-than-stellar command of the French language, creating miscommunication, frustration, and laughs. 

DISLIKE- Nothing to dislike. 

RECOMMEND- Yes! Paris, I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down is highly entertaining and a fun ride. I enjoyed living vicariously through Baldwin's Paris adventure. 

Book Review- Kate Betts' My Paris Dream

 A true and tragic fact, I've never been to Paris. However, I love to travel through books and when I saw Kate Betts' memoir, My Paris Dream on NetGalley, it looked like the perfect read for armchair traveling. Thank you to Random House Publishing Group for gifting me with an advanced copy of Betts' memoir in exchange for an honest review.

PLOT- Set in the mid-80's, My Paris Dream, follows American Kate Betts as she moves to Paris after finishing her undergraduate degree at Princeton. Betts fell in love with Paris during a high school trip and she felt a pull to spend more time in the city, a pull greater than could be satisfied during a vacation. Telling her family and boyfriend that she plans to be in Paris for just a year, she moves to France with an arrangement to rent a room in the home of a French family and she is armed with a few loose contacts for potential jobs. 

As time passes, Betts becomes more entrenched in her French life. She has a strong circle of supportive friends and on the encouragement of her landlords, she moves into her own apartment. Her initial year in Paris, is turning into years. Soon, she finds herself with a French boyfriend and a job as a fashion journalist. As a fashion journalist, Betts is exposed to a glamorous world and she meets many icons in the industry, including, Christian Louboutin, Helmut Lang, Yves Saint Laurent and Anna Wintour. 

LIKE - My Paris Dream is absolutely beautifully written. It's downright dreamy with Betts lush descriptions of her life in Paris and the fashion industry. The clothes, the food, the city streets...it's simply gorgeous.

What I found most appealing is the theme of following your dreams and your heart. This is a wonderful memoir for anyone, but I think that it would have an extra appeal for college age women. At thirty-seven years old, I read this story in a wistful mood, but if I had been younger, I think this memoir would have been inspirational. This isn't to say that I didn't find Betts story inspiring, but as I'm older, it made me feel more nostalgic for when I was in my twenties. There is an innocence and bravado about that age that Betts captures perfectly.

I found the tidbits regarding the fashion industry and journalism to be fascinating. I also enjoyed learning about France and its culture. Betts truly attempted to blend-in with the locals and I think this attitude allowed her to develop close friendships that gave her a real idea of French culture and everyday life. Betts is less of a "fish-out-of-water" than I anticipated. The French don't let her forget that she is American, but they definitely accept her as a friend and adopt her into their lives.

DISLIKE - Nothing. I absolutely loved this memoir. I finished the book wanting more.

RECOMMEND - Yes, I've already recommended My Paris Dream to several friends. Betts memoir is a must for those who love travel writing, French culture or fashion.