We're BACK! After a long hiatus, Les Bookworms are back with an episode reflecting on our Proustian journey or lack thereof (spoiler alert...c'mon not really). We also chat some of our favorite books from our break, books we are excited to read and some other literary moments that have sparked joy in the last few months. In the episode, we reference a new bilingual literary journal - Version Original - which you can order on their website or pick up in several bookstores across Paris. As always, happy reading! For more from Les Bookworms, check out our Instagram @lesbookwormspod or our ⁠blog⁠.

This episode is a pull back and pause on the journey of reading the world's longest novel. We've officially completed the first two volumes of In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust. We look at the volume as a whole and discuss a few issues we've had with the text so far. We also discuss why people consider this classic on of the greatest of all times and if we would recommend reading it. Happy reading! For more from Les Bookworms Pod, check out our Instagram @lesbookwormspod or our blog: https://lesbookwormspod.com.

This week on Les Bookworms Pod features two Paris memoirs that we enjoyed reading: Paris on Air by Oliver Gee and No. 91/92: notes on a Parisian commute by Lauren Elkin. Two short reads that transport you directly to the heart of Paris. Both stories touch on the experience of living in Paris following the 2015 terrorist attacks, while also navigating personal insights and reflections of the daily experience of life as foreigners in Paris and France in general. We are longtime fans of both and enjoyed reflecting on what about these books spoke to us.  You can find fuller episode description and other book reviews on our blog: https://lesbookwormspod.com For current reads and a dose of French living, check out our Instagram: @lesbookwormspod

Les Bookworms are back for 2023 with an update on Proust! The third check-in covers mainly the second part of Volume II - "À l'ombre des jeunes filles en fleurs" (In the Shadow of Young Girls in Flower). This section was packed with very interesting and profound ideas on love and the construction of our identities by ourselves and others. No need to have read Proust to listen we give a 30 second recap of everything that is important. You can find a fuller episode description and other book reviews on our blog: https://lesbookwormspod.wordpress.com For our current reads and dose of French living, check out our Instagram: @lesbookwormspod

On this episode of Les Bookworms Pod, we chat about two books that have been in our PAL (pile à lire aka TBR) for awhile. Each is written by women who love the City of Lights! Both books are relatively short and provide unique perspectives of Paris. The collection of short stories « There’s Only One Paris » snakes around each arrondissement and gives glimpses into the different lives of Parisians, activities and landmarks each district has to offer. « L’Origine » offers a personal perspective of an artistic journey and deep dive into the history behind the painting L’origine which can be found in the Musée d’Orsay. Come pal around Paris with us! You can find a fuller episode description and other book reviews on our blog: https://lesbookwormspod.wordpress.com For our current reads and dose of French living, check out our Instagram: @lesbookwormspod

The second check-in on In Search of Lost Time covers part of the second volume - "À l'ombre des jeunes filles en fleurs" (In the Shadow of Young Girls in Flower). Our reflections vary from women's choices and societal pressure at the turn of the 20th century as well as in today's modern society to the misalignment of our own idea of self and the identity we present to the world to searching for the author in the text of their novel. No need to have read Proust to listen we give a 30 second recap of everything that is important. If you want to know how many times Proust is reference in Gilmore Girls, give this episode a listen!  You can find a fuller episode description and other book reviews on our blog: https://lesbookwormspod.wordpress.com For our current reads and dose of French living, check out our Instagram: @lesbookwormspod

Les Bookworms take on more classics. This week Helen and Miranda give their takes on three French classics: François le Champi (Georges Sand), Le Père Goriot (Honoré de Balzac) and Madame Bovary (Gustave Flaubert). If you have ever been interested in reading French classics, this episode is for you! We give a brief summary before giving our thoughts on these famous classics. We also ask whether these books should continue to be passed down?  You can find a fuller episode description and other book reviews on our blog: https://lesbookwormspod.wordpress.com For our current reads and a dose of French living, check out our Instagram: @lesbookwormspod

Today's episode is a check-in on how the adventure of reading the world's longest novel - In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust - is going for each of us. Join us for this literary odyssey as we make our way through the 1 267 069 words in this novel with the lens of understanding why this book is known to be so rewarding and considered among the greatest of all time. Have no fear we aren't Proustian and are not attempting to provide literary criticism! If you've ever been curious about Proust or simply want to read the book with or through us, this episode is for you! You can find a fuller episode description and other book reviews on our blog: https://lesbookwormspod.wordpress.com For our current reads and a dose of French living, check out our Instagram: @lesbookwormspod 

Kicking off Season 4 of Les Bookworms Pod by diving straight in to our newest adventure - tackling Marcel Proust. We discuss Alain de Botton's novel "How Proust Can Save Your Life" as a primer before diving head first in to "In Search of Lost Time".  You can find a fuller episode description and other book reviews on our blog: https://lesbookwormspod.wordpress.com For all our current reads and a dose of French living, check out our Instagram: @lesbookwormspod

What could be a better way to wrap Season 3 of the Les Bookworms Pod than being in the same room for the first time in 3 years? While there is no book this week, we chat all about what's changed, what's stayed the same here in France and the reverse culture shocks after being away for so long. We also finally let you in on what we have in store for Season 4, which is going to be a completely different season for us!  Blog: https://lesbookwormspod.wordpress.com  Instagram: @lesbookwormspod