Ah yes, the waning days of summer. For educators especially I think the quote is something like “August is the Sunday of summer” or for me it can be adequately summed up (as everything can) with a frame from Calvin and Hobbes.

August was another full month of at least a book a day so there are many books to choose from. I’ve settled on My Life in France by Julia Child for several reasons. First, I was waiting for the right time to read it. I’m very much a mood reader: I keep multiple books stacked and ready and choose the next book based on what I’m feeling, not to check a box or meet a deadline. This book had been sitting on my shelf since about April.

When I began it, I was going slow, like savoring one of the most delectable meals which is how I know a book is good. But then, I found out that as I was getting closer to the end that that specific day, August 15th, was the anniversary of her birthday and I knew I needed to finish it. And finish it I did, with the gusto of a great flip of the pan to create an omelet.

Every sense is awakened when reading about Julia’s life in France where she discovered the verve for cooking and fell into the sweetest routine of life with her husband, Paul. Whether it was a mundane task or cooking for a party, it was a full sensory experience for her and she and her great nephew, Alex Prud’homme make it one for the reader in the book.

I’ll close the post with the 10 thing I know after I finished the book (as I shared on Instagram):

1. I would have liked to know Julia Child and tour France with her.
2. Paul and Julia had something special (my undying affection for their Valentine’s Day card bubble bath picture!)
3. I want to take a boat to a faraway place as the mode of transportation.
4. Food really is magical and special.
5. I must now read and watch everything related to Julia Child and try at least a few recipes from the book.
6. Cooking and baking IS joy.
7. “No one’s more important than people”.
8. This book is a beautiful experience and I confess to tearing up simply from the connection to it on a cellular level.
9. I love having a husband who loves good food adventures like Paul did with Julia.
10. I want to name my house and my car and everything else like Pulia did.

Nothing beats a book that makes you make lists of its amazingness.