Books I Read and Loved in April
and on the topic of ‘why are french men so delicious?’ « rhetorical », where to find the best chicken caesar salad in paris
Friends,
I’m just finishing up a month filled with lots of travels but unfortunately some pretty mediocre reads - hence why this is a very short love list below. On the plus side, I found a chicken caesar salad in Paris that I am pretty sure will change your life — I’ve shared this at the end.
Bon appétit!
Set on a small island off the coast of Ireland in the summer of 1979. An English painter and a French linguist spend their summer on the tiny island amongst the Irish residents which, in hindsight, may not have been a great idea! Interesting take on Ireland and her colonisation by England and how that plays out on this very small island. Loved this book ❤️
Riambel - Priya Hein (translated from the French by Haddiyyah Tegally)
Set in Mauritius where Priya was born, the story is narrated by Noemi, a fifteen year old girl who lives in the slums next to a wealthy white area where only French colonisers can live. This small book taught me more about the real Mauritius and the writing reminded me of Jamaica Kincaid’s A Small Place. For far too many years we have been hearing stories told from a coloniser point of view and it’s refreshing (and heartbreaking) to be hearing the truth of what really went on in Africa during those times.
“First, you must realize you’re homesick for all the lives you’re not living. Then, you must commit to the road and the rising loneliness. To the sincere thrill of coming apart.”
Joy’s debut collection of poetry and it’s wonderful. I shared a separate post on how much I loved this book which you can read here.
Remarkably Bright Creatures - Shelby Van Pelt
Warm and tender - I shared a separate post about this book which you can read here.
What I’d Rather Not Think About - Jente Posthuma (translated from The Dutch by Sarah Timmer Harvey)
An International Booker Prize Nominee for Shortlist (2024) choice, Jente writes in short chapters (each a page or two long) which asks the question: what if one half of a pair of twins no longer wants to live?
APOLOGIES IN ADVANCE TO ALL MY VEGAN & VEGGIE FRIENDS but this bit isn’t for you.
Behold — after a lifetime (ok, 28 years) of eating all the chicken caesar salads in Paris, I finally found The One. And I share her with you.
In a very traditionally French restaurant close to Pigalle, Le Café Ventura has her listed on the menu as Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad (🥗🫶🏼). Not just the tastiest salad I’ve had, they bring you a separate gravy boat full of caesar salad dressing just incase you want to drown your salad or eat it with a spoon like a little animal.
Scroll down for location details and tell them I sent you.
« menus available in both English and French »
Le Café Ventura
🍽️ https://cafeventura.fr
📍 58 rue des martyrs, 75009 PARIS
🚇 Pigalle Metro
PS: If you’re following along with my Africa Reading Challenge, I’m at about 22% of my reading through this magnificent continent (12/54). This month I read books by writers from Mauritius; Morocco; Sudan; Angola and Botswana.
Oh man... That Caesar salad... 👀
Very interested in The Colony too - I'll definitely be picking that up soon... 🙂👍📚
I’ve also been highly recommended to read The Colony! This is a great reminder to pop it on hold at the library.