Start Going Places Posts

You can get lost in here.  The Abbey Bookshop is tucked in a side street a hop skip and a jump from Notre Dame.  But the single-door entrance is a portal to another world.  Much like the room of requirement in Harry Potter, a hole in the wall goes on and on on the inside. The Abbey bookshop now carries both French License and The Chairfather.

This independent bookshop carries a mix of new and used, almost exclusively in English.  Travel, cooking, history, novels and a vast section of French interest and memoirs written by expats like me.  If you can’t find what you’re looking for, that doesn’t mean it’s not there.  It probably is, you may just need to ask for Brian’s help to find it!

Ask him for your copy of French License!

The Abbey Bookshop

29 rue de la Parcheminerie, 75005 Paris

Métro stop: Cluny-La Sorbonne (ligne 10) or St-Michel

Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday

+33 1 46 33 16 24

www.abbeybookshop.net

© Copyright Joe Start. All rights reserved. © 2018

Shakespeare and Company was one of the first to carry French License. When I stopped by, they had sold out. They graciously welcomed several more copies of my first book, as well as copies of my second book, The Chairfather. Find out more about them at the Bookstore!

Like Troy McClure, you may remember me from such films as Richard Linklater’s Before Sunset, Nora Ephron’s Julie & Julia, and Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris.

Shakespeare and Co. writes a history with many chapters, several locations, and a cast of thousands over nearly 100 years. The great English-language writers of the past and present have visited, and at least one is actually living upstairs at any given time. You’ll find today’s version of the bookstore welcoming, with nooks strewn about to get intimate with a title. When you can’t put a book back on the shelf, simply throw some crumpled euros down on the counter and continue nose-down, feeling your way by braille to their café bench awaiting you. The literature dream state here is strong.  A warm beverage and an hour later you’ll finally look up, suddenly conscious that the real world is around you once again.

Shakespeare and Company
37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris, France

Open daily, 10am to 11pm

Métro St. Michel

http://shakespeareandcompany.com/

© Copyright Joe Start. All rights reserved. © 2018

Lamartine was kind enough to welcome French License in their shop. Now you can also find The Chairfather at the Bookstore!

This institution in the 16th arrondissement carries tons of books, stationery and pens. Mostly books in French, but they do have an extensive English-language section. Come on down and check out what they have for you in their well-lit and welcoming boutique!

Librairie Lamartine

118 rue de la Pompe, 75116 Paris

tel: +33 1 47 27 31 31

http://www.lamartine.fr

© Copyright Joe Start. All rights reserved. © 2018

So, I’m wandering in the Marais, and I happen upon the Gai Rossignol bookstore. They have lots of maps and travel guides and photo books outside to entice tourists. Many out-of-town folks happen by, because it’s close to the City Hall and cool sites.

Knowing they’re a sister store to Le Merle Moqueur, I pop in and ask if they’d be interested in carrying The Chairfather which is popular among tourists. The bookstore is very welcoming and they agree.

I’m filling out the paperwork, and noticing they have lots of quirky gifts, gags and impulse buys to bring a smile. I’m about to leave when I notice that my book is right next to another, called “The Big Penis Book.” In fact, that title’s cover art is literally pointing its business at me.

Who knows, maybe it’ll drive traffic. You can check out both here:

Le Gai Rossignol
9 rue Saint Martin
75004 Paris

https://www.lemerlemoqueur.fr/le_gai_rossignol/

© Copyright Joe Start. All rights reserved. © 2018

I’m really pleased that an independent bookstore very close to the south entrance of the Père Lachaise cemetery is now carrying my book The Chairfather. It’s called “Le Merle Moqueur” or the mockingbird. They’re part of a handful of little jewels of book shops in the capital, dedicated to readers looking for something fun and off the beaten path. My titles are also in another of their stores with a different name, that I’ll introduce you to another day. Meanwhile, if you’re in the neighborhood of the metro Alexandre Dumas, come check out this bookstore.

Le Merle Moqueur

51 rue de Bagnolet, 75020 Paris

https://www.lemerlemoqueur.fr/

© Copyright Joe Start. All rights reserved. © 2018