Rave Maps Paris

Alden Globe

Published Dec 1, 2024

Rave Maps Paris in Ten Books

I noted a recent post on social media asking: “Is Paris worth it?” The answer is yes, of course. Let’s explore why.

Part of the enjoyment of Paris -- or any destination -- comes from appreciating local history, along with cultural intangibles you may immerse yourself in during your visit: music, food, style, wine and spirits, literature, fashion, architecture, shopping, scenery, and conversation with residents. There is a french phrase that sums up enjoyment of these many small pleasures: “art du vivre.”

The best way to get at those elements is via research and planning before visiting. In the case of Rave Maps' first adventure, Daughter of the Cloud, Rave works in Paris interviewing IT staff, presenting to company executives, evading capture, and enjoying simple pleasures. Research for these scenes involved several sources I recommend highly:

Non-Fiction

Amuse Bouche, Carolyn Boyd . Review of foods from regions of France. https://a.co/d/39mnpJp

Only Street in Paris: Life on the Rue des Martyrs,Elaine Sciolino. Details of life in a traditional Paris neighborhood as old ways evolve. https://a.co/d/8U7nw1B

The New Paris, Lindsay Tramuta.Details of food and neighborhoods. https://a.co/d/cObiQyH

The Greater Journey, Americans in Paris, David McCullough. Historical view of 19th Century Americans search for enlightenment in the City of Light. https://a.co/d/ivGRane

Wine and War: The French, the Nazis, and the Battle for France’s Greatest Treasure by Donald Kladstrup.

https://a.co/d/afGfB1f

Joie De Vivre: Simple French Style for Everyday Living, Robert Arbor. Explores food and rituals of everyday traditions, with recipes. https://a.co/d/cpHR0fQ

The New Tourist, Paige McLanahan. Explores changes in global tourism post-pandemic, and the unforeseen impacts on popular destinations. Not a book about Paris, but rather how travel itself has changed due to social media and other forces. https://a.co/d/cpJlFOs

Fiction

The Nightingale, Kristin Hannah. Dramatizes French life and resistance, supporting downed Allied pilots during WWII. Soon to be a feature film. https://a.co/d/4xh4JdP

Author Cara Black’s lifelong passion for Paris inspired over 20 novels following the criminal investigations and personal struggles of fictional Paris detective Aimee Leduc. Black places the action for each book in a specific Arrondissement and this is an inspired idea, one she executes perfectly. Black has written several WWII-era stories set in Paris featuring fictional espionage agent Kate Rees: https://carablack.com/books/

Tips for your visit:

I keep a collection on Yelp of 36 Paris favorites, including a few places I would like to visit next time: https://www.yelp.com/collection/XM0o0BiDRuVrFetABzkImA?utm_content=Collections&utm_source=ishare