Posts by Kimberly Sullivan
Book review: The Devil Wears Prada
This is one of the book turned movie novels that I’ve only gotten around to reading recently. I enjoyed this movie, but had never thought to pick up the book. I only read it recently, and I’m glad I did. With summer upon us (today!), this is a great summer read. Andie is a recent…
Read MoreCliffside splendor in Moustiers Sainte-Marie, France
This spectacular town of 700 residents, is perched dramatically among the cliffs of the Regional Park of the Verdon. Since 1981, it has been designated as one of the most beautiful villages of France (Les plus beaux villages de France). Although human settlement in the area dates back tens of thousands of years, it was…
Read MoreNovels turned short stories
“Lots of short stories are actually the first chapters of novels.” —Pat Barker A nice observation on short stories by a contemporary British novelist. It says something about the lure of short stories, that readers are often left wanting more. Even a short story leaves readers invested in their characters, and sometimes wanting to follow…
Read MoreAll lanes lead to Rome: Golden Gala 2019
Every year it rolls around again. All track lanes lead to Rome for the world’s top track and field athletes who descend on the Eternal City to take part in the Golden Gala each year. This is Rome’s edition of the Diamond League – the elite track and field meets that take place all around…
Read MoreBook review : Fog Island
I picked up this novel for the same reason I suspect many other readers did. I read the author biography, and was curious to see how the author would handle a thriller set in a modern-day cult. The novel’s author, Mariette Lindstein, is a Swede who spent twenty years in Scientology, including years at their…
Read MoreCooling off in Lac de Ste-Croix, France
I’ve written a lot about the beautiful places we’ve visited on a few trips to France’s stunning Provence region. One of the must go-to spots is its own “Grand Canyon” – Gorges du Verdon (you can see my earlier post.) Two summers ago, we made a return visit to this impressive canyon, and since it…
Read MoreOur terrible, horrible, no good, very bad May
A nod to Alexander of the beloved children’s story, but even poor Alexander only had to suffer through one bad day. We’ve had a whole month of awful days. Cold. Grey skies. Rain. Lots and lots of rain. In Rome, May is one of our most beautiful months, but not this year. Think London with…
Read MoreSurrounded by rolling hills and the flowing Nive in Bidarray, France
We were in this pretty little town in France’s Pays basque region on a cheese-buying mission. We were staying in the coastal town of Guethary and travelling to the picturesque medieval town of Saint Jean-Pied-de-Port, an important stop on the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, when we stopped off in tiny Bidarray. A friend who…
Read MoreWomen’s Prize for Fiction 2019 shortlist out!
Yes, it’s that time of year again. The formerly Orange prize/formerly Bailey’s Prize/currently Women’s Prize for Fiction 2019 shortlist has been announced. I haven’t read any of these, so I have a lot to look forward to in coming months. I always pick a few new reads off this annual shortlist of female authors worldwide.…
Read MoreTurn-of-the-century elegance in San Sebastian, Spain
During our holiday in France’s Pays basque, we also enjoyed crossing into Spain’s Pais vasco. I’ve already written about the regions’s Bilbao and its Guggenheim Museum. We also had an enjoyable tome visiting beautiful San Sebastian – or Donastia, in the Basque language. This elegant city is close to the French border, and was the…
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