Fresh Water for Flowers lives in my head rent free. 😜 I love it so much! And I was reminded of my favorite book from a couple of years ago: Code Name Helene when Dave was describing A Woman of No Importance. That one is also excellent! Fiction but based on a true story.
I haven’t read Code Name Helene (yet), but it sounds like a good one to pair up with A Woman if No Importance. Thanks for the tip! 😍 (And yes, I’ll be thinking about Fresh Water for Flowers for a long time. Love it so much.)
WOW! I loved the France episode... and have already read the ' Women of No Importance' book last year. Virginia Hall was extraordinary. There is a very bland movie on YouTueb about her - someone could make a terrific mini series about her life! Hope they do some day. A somewhat related book was just published by a Canadian Journalist called The War We Won Apart. It is by Nahlah Ayed... great interview with her today on the CBC radio show The Current ( it is s podcast too). Cheerio off to the library to look for Joan!
So glad the new season launched! I put Joan on hold at the library. But you got me thinking...would "books that made you love humanity" be an episode idea? Totally nailed it with Gentleman in Moscow...that one just made my heart explode 🤯 💥 ♥️. I tried Still Life before but couldn't finish it -- I think I wasn't in the right space. I checked it out again and am going to give it a solid effort based on your high praise 👏
Now that you have me wanting to visit France...I'm off to my reading 📚 😍
That would be a really fun episode... but it's not 'allowed' by our rules :-) Our themes have to be places you can visit. So trains and the circus and cemetery work, but governesses and :-( 'books that make you love humanity' don't. Dave and I are in the midst of an ongoing discussion about whether or not 'dinner party' works. But! 'Books that make you love humanity' would be a good Tuesday Tea question, so thank you for the idea! Good luck with Still Life! —Mel
I loved the episode! Always a great listen! To jump on the Grace Kelly bandwagon - you mentioned To Catch a Thief (which is beautiful & fun) - have you watched Rear Window? That scene where Grace Kelly (as Lisa) moves toward Jimmy Stewart (but it’s towards the camera)? She’s stunning! (& her clothes!!)
Looking forward to checking out Fresh Water for Flowers!
You know, I don't think we have watched 'Rear Window.' Next time I get a bee in my bonnet for an old movie, we should give that one a go. And yes, she is absolutely stunning. ANGEL FACE. —Mel
It’s become one of my favorite summer reading traditions to tackle a REALLY BIG BOOK, and this summer I’m reading Les Miserables and definitely planning to embrace the baguettes & Breton stripes for a FrenchGirlSummer™️
I am going to France in October so I loved this episode! I happened to be going to the library as I was listening so I picked up Joan and A Woman of No Importance. I will actually be in Chalon sur Saone so Clara Reads Proust will be purchased. And I have spread read Like Water for Flowers and second the motion it is a beautiful story. Thank you!!
Oh, fantastic! And you're going to be in Clara's stomping ground! Would love a report back afterward, if you have a moment. And let us know how you enjoy (or don't) Joan and A Woman of No Importance. We're always curious how our book recommendations land. —Mel
May 25·edited May 25Liked by Mel Joulwan & Dave Humphreys
Do happy to have you back in my ears (and equally glad that The Library of Lost Time kept be going between seasons). The ad at the beginning of the podcast made me think, any plans for merch? I'd love a SSoP sweatshirt or mug to read with (or a book tote?)
I’m very happy to be back on the SSOP podcast wagon!! Fun fact: Jim and I met in Nice. So I have a special place in my heart for the south of France. 💕
Very fun. I've got a start on a summer reading list! and I'll be back to follow up on some of the videos. You do a lot of research putting it together. And I would really really like a baguette right now.
The research is really fun and/but we get lost down EVERY rabbit hole. It's a good problem to have :-) The whole time we were making the show, I wanted baguettes and brie and steak frites and croissants. Sigh. —Mel
Cannot read on the beach! Just not a lay around on the beach person. I want to be swimming, snorkeling, bodysurfing or going for a hike. Even I did want to read on the beach the glare on my kindle would drive me mad.
My favorite summer reading spot adjacent to water is a nice lounge chair under an enormous umbrella next to a swimming pool. Read --> get hot --> dunk --> repeat. Bonus points for snacks and drinks. Something salty, something sweet. Heavenly. —Mel
Fresh Water for Flowers lives in my head rent free. 😜 I love it so much! And I was reminded of my favorite book from a couple of years ago: Code Name Helene when Dave was describing A Woman of No Importance. That one is also excellent! Fiction but based on a true story.
I haven’t read Code Name Helene (yet), but it sounds like a good one to pair up with A Woman if No Importance. Thanks for the tip! 😍 (And yes, I’ll be thinking about Fresh Water for Flowers for a long time. Love it so much.)
WOW! I loved the France episode... and have already read the ' Women of No Importance' book last year. Virginia Hall was extraordinary. There is a very bland movie on YouTueb about her - someone could make a terrific mini series about her life! Hope they do some day. A somewhat related book was just published by a Canadian Journalist called The War We Won Apart. It is by Nahlah Ayed... great interview with her today on the CBC radio show The Current ( it is s podcast too). Cheerio off to the library to look for Joan!
So glad you enjoyed this one! We had a good time making it. A mini-series about Virginia Hall would be so great. Who should play her, do you think?
Thanks for recommending The War We Won Apart! Hope your library trip was successful! XO, Mel
So glad the new season launched! I put Joan on hold at the library. But you got me thinking...would "books that made you love humanity" be an episode idea? Totally nailed it with Gentleman in Moscow...that one just made my heart explode 🤯 💥 ♥️. I tried Still Life before but couldn't finish it -- I think I wasn't in the right space. I checked it out again and am going to give it a solid effort based on your high praise 👏
Now that you have me wanting to visit France...I'm off to my reading 📚 😍
That would be a really fun episode... but it's not 'allowed' by our rules :-) Our themes have to be places you can visit. So trains and the circus and cemetery work, but governesses and :-( 'books that make you love humanity' don't. Dave and I are in the midst of an ongoing discussion about whether or not 'dinner party' works. But! 'Books that make you love humanity' would be a good Tuesday Tea question, so thank you for the idea! Good luck with Still Life! —Mel
I loved the episode! Always a great listen! To jump on the Grace Kelly bandwagon - you mentioned To Catch a Thief (which is beautiful & fun) - have you watched Rear Window? That scene where Grace Kelly (as Lisa) moves toward Jimmy Stewart (but it’s towards the camera)? She’s stunning! (& her clothes!!)
Looking forward to checking out Fresh Water for Flowers!
You know, I don't think we have watched 'Rear Window.' Next time I get a bee in my bonnet for an old movie, we should give that one a go. And yes, she is absolutely stunning. ANGEL FACE. —Mel
So happy to have a new season to look forward to. Y’all are my literary Rockstars.
Hooray! Also, adding 'Literary Rockstars' to our business cards ;-)
It’s become one of my favorite summer reading traditions to tackle a REALLY BIG BOOK, and this summer I’m reading Les Miserables and definitely planning to embrace the baguettes & Breton stripes for a FrenchGirlSummer™️
I seriously considered Les Miserables for the show! But decided it was too long for the podcast — but as a human, I LOVE a big book like that. —Mel
Yes, too long for the show, I think. And also too much PARIS, maybe? (if there’s such a thing as too much Paris hahaha)
Right! That was the other problem!
I’m also planning to read JOAN and THREE by Valerie Perrin (after loving FWFF)
I want to read Joan, too! Dave made it sound so good. —Mel
I am going to France in October so I loved this episode! I happened to be going to the library as I was listening so I picked up Joan and A Woman of No Importance. I will actually be in Chalon sur Saone so Clara Reads Proust will be purchased. And I have spread read Like Water for Flowers and second the motion it is a beautiful story. Thank you!!
Oh, fantastic! And you're going to be in Clara's stomping ground! Would love a report back afterward, if you have a moment. And let us know how you enjoy (or don't) Joan and A Woman of No Importance. We're always curious how our book recommendations land. —Mel
Do happy to have you back in my ears (and equally glad that The Library of Lost Time kept be going between seasons). The ad at the beginning of the podcast made me think, any plans for merch? I'd love a SSoP sweatshirt or mug to read with (or a book tote?)
It's great to be back in your ears! Thank you for listening :-)
We have talked about merch several times, and it's on our list of 'Stuff We Really Need To Get To.' Thank you for the nudge! —Mel
I’m very happy to be back on the SSOP podcast wagon!! Fun fact: Jim and I met in Nice. So I have a special place in my heart for the south of France. 💕
Whoa! That *is* a fun fact. How nice!
Loved this! So many interesting stories (and incredible photos of France) -- thanks for sharing!
Hooray! Glad you like it! Is it weird that my favorite photo is the sandwich? —Mel
Nope! That was my favorite too!
The salami+butter+cornichons!
Very fun. I've got a start on a summer reading list! and I'll be back to follow up on some of the videos. You do a lot of research putting it together. And I would really really like a baguette right now.
The research is really fun and/but we get lost down EVERY rabbit hole. It's a good problem to have :-) The whole time we were making the show, I wanted baguettes and brie and steak frites and croissants. Sigh. —Mel
Cannot read on the beach! Just not a lay around on the beach person. I want to be swimming, snorkeling, bodysurfing or going for a hike. Even I did want to read on the beach the glare on my kindle would drive me mad.
My favorite summer reading spot adjacent to water is a nice lounge chair under an enormous umbrella next to a swimming pool. Read --> get hot --> dunk --> repeat. Bonus points for snacks and drinks. Something salty, something sweet. Heavenly. —Mel
So... You're a normal person and I'm a loon.
Yeah, that tracks!
Hmmm... normal? Some semblance of normal, I guess? ;-)