Grateful for You

Bonjour de Paris, my November 2024 Newsletter

Dear Reader,

As Thanksgiving approaches, I’m counting my blessings and want to tell you how much I appreciate your support. Un grand merci for subscribing to this newsletter and for taking an interest in my work. I am thankful for readers, booksellers, book clubs, friends, and family who have helped make Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade and The Paris Library bestsellers. Thank you so much!

This month, I took a quick trip to London. On the Eurostar, I ran into friends, Eugene and fellow novelist Paul. My friend Tania and I celebrated thirty years of friendship - we first met in Odesa, Ukraine. She and I went to Covent Garden and saw the Lion King musical with her son. In Saint Pancras, it was a lovely surprise to find The Paris Library included in the Paris display at Hatchards Bookshop.

This weekend, Eddy and I visited Bill & Rosa’s Bookroom, where we had the chance to attend a cheese tasting by the renowned writer and cheese judge Emily Monaco. It was a full house - we all learned a lot and had a great time.

This year, we downsized into a new apartment and got rid of clothes, dishware, and even books. The one thing I couldn’t give up were cards and letters from friends and family. I treasure each one! It brings me joy to send and receive cards all year round, but I especially love to send out cards in December. With the holidays coming up, I’m sharing the work of three of my favorite Parisian artists.

I love these colorful postcards of neighborhoods in Paris (or New York or London) by Diana at Faraway Places. Watch the short video below to see the work that goes into them, featuring a cameo of her dog.

If you’re looking for holiday cards, try this gorgeous selection from Rebecca Plotnick of Everyday Parisian.

Sonja Bajic, who created the beautiful maps of my novels, gives us something to look forward to in 2025 with her Simple Pleasures calendar.

These artists also sell fabulous prints. If you are looking for unique holiday gifts, check out their evocative work! I might be biased, but I think books make great gifts, too. ;-) Libro FM makes it possible to buy audiobooks through local bookstores.

I just finished Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books. Kirsten Miller expresses what so many of us feel about the power of books and the importance of reading freely. Read the rest of my review on Goodreads. Millie Whalen of Cassiopeia Books in Great Falls, Montana recommended this novel to me, and I’m so glad she did.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you again for subscribing to my newsletter! I appreciate your support.

My best,

Janet

My parents sent me this card in 2002. Mom made this quilt. I treasure both. Here is a Lit Hub article by Kim Young, another writer who kept letters for twenty years.