Big April book sale

Dear Book Sale Supporter,

I have been receiving emails asking, and now I am happy to tell you that, yes,  it's that time again, our Spring Book Sale will be on Saturday 13th April at the Salle de Fetes, St. Pantaleon, (Lot) from 10am to 3pm. As usual we will have thousands of books and dvds at one euro each, cds at 50 cents and the very best of best home made cakes for your delectation !  There will also be soup and savouries to keep your strength up at lunchtime before you delve back in to the books.  I know I always say so, but I really mean it, we have a great selection of books not just the usual same 'ol, same 'ol.  Profits will be split between Poorpaws Dog Rescue, La Mere aux Betes and Cancer Support France.

If you have books to donate, please bring them with you to kick start our Autumn sale.
Look forward to seeing you there !

Sue Glibbery.   Queries to  susanglibbery@gmail.com 

Local author's book launch today.

Suzanne Ghersenzon Spenale is a name to conjure with, so no wonder she is universally known as Zizou. Many of you will know her as her husband was for a long time the maire of St Antonin. We at Taglines know her from her support for the refugees at Rehoboth three years ago and subsequent help and support with our efforts to raise funds and material for migrants and their families.
Always a charming and friendly person she has just published her second novel "Polina: une Ukrainienne dans la tourmente". She will be giving a presentation of the story and signing copies at the mairie at 18h this evening (Tuesday 18th December) in association with local bookshop Le Tracteur Savant.

Book group seeks new readers

Parisot – Laguepie BOOK GROUP is looking for new participants.  Some of our original members have relocated back to the UK and there are now four of us remaining; we read literary fiction, mostly new publications but not always.  We are avid and passionate book readers, but not stuffy or pretentious.  If you would like to join us please contact:  ginaconnolly27@gmail.com
I asked where the group met
Thanks very much Val, sometimes we meet in Parisot (3 of us live here) and sometimes in Laguepie, so we are looking for people who live within those areas.

Gina x

Library Lit presents a talk on Corsica

An illustrated talk

Corsica:  Land of Magic and Mystery

Parisot Library
Saturday 29th September
10.30 talk - 11.30 discussion - 12.00 apéritifs

Vanessa Couchman, popular local author, has visited Corsica many times and in her third novel (the second set in Corsica) and uses her knowledge of the island's rugged beauty and tumultuous history to paint a tale of her 18th century heroine's struggles against entrenched beliefs and superstitions.

Vanessa will present an illustrated talk exploring Corsican history and culture, rituals and supernatural beliefs.

Signed copies of "The Corsican Widow" will be for sale.

"Are you the foie gras correspondent?"

Local journalist and author Chris Bockman has published his recollections of events and personalities he has encountered during his almost two decades based in Toulouse. The book - largely upbeat and fun - is on sale at Le Tracteur Savant bookshop and via Amazon or the publisher.
click for details: Are You The Foie Gras Correspondent? - Troubador Book Publishing

Talk Saturday at Parisot library

'Renoir's Dancer:  The Secret Life of Suzanne Valadon'

A quick reminder that Catherine Hewitt's talk is next Saturday, 25th November. Her thrilling subject, with supporting slide show, is not to be missed.
Suzanne Valadon was the Impressionists' favourite model, especially Renoir, who discovered that she was herself a talented artist.
From 10h30 at Parisot Library, followed by aperos at 12h.

Life in words

"LIFE IN WORDS" IS HERE – JOIN US AT 6 PM ON WEDNESDAY 28TH JUNE

"Life in Words"  the anthology produced by the Creative Writing Group  in memory of Doreen Porter, is now published and Gavin Porter and the authors invite you to join us for an aperitif from 6 pm – 7.30 pm on Wednesday 28th June to remember Doreen and collect your books ordered.   Minimum cost is 5 euros with proceeds going to one of Doreen's favourite charities Room to Read.    Those who have not yet placed an order can do so on the website or on the day.    email: lifeinwords82@gmail.com 

web:  lifeinwords82.wixsite.com/doreen

The venue is the pretty courtyard setting of Margaret and David Atkin's house in La Roquette, near Laguépie.

Directions from St Antonin:       

Go through Lexos and Varen and as you enter Laguépie there is a RAGT on your right.  Opposite this is a sharp turn to the left ( next to the Vet's cabinet signposted Najac )  Continue up the hill, go through Bacou, keep going up the hill and  at the top, there are some dustbins on the right. Take the next little turning  on the right (small signpost La Roquette), go down the lane and up the other side.  This is La Roquette and it is the third house on the left with blue shutters.  The field before the house is for parking.

For directions from other destinations and confirmation of your attendance, please contact Margaret on davidcbatkins@gmail.com 

New novel from local author

Hi Val

As a Parisot resident and member of the prolific Parisot Writing Group, I thought TAGliners might like to know about my novel LANDSLIDING which has just come out in Kindle format on Amazon. 

I've written it as Mandy Jameson because that's the name I've always used for work.

LANDSLIDING is a tense thriller about relationships, secrets and mysteries from the past; so far it's been very well reviewed and readers say they can't put it down! 

Mandy Jamieson (aka Harvey)

Rare drawings on show in Toulouse

One of the most famous and iconic French children's books is "Le Petit Prince", written and illustrated by Antoine de St Exupery, a pilot based in Toulouse. The book was first published in New York in 1943 and the author disappeared on a flight in 1944. A local enthusiast is to sell his collection of 12  contemporary drawings and sketches for the book - including a 1942 preliminary drawing. As well as 7 manuscript letters to friends the whole lot will be on display in the Toulouse Musee de Vieux Toulouse on 18th May before being sold in Paris on 14th June. The drawings are expected to make at least 150000 euros.
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The new publishers

A journalist remarked on TV this morning that America has 27 million bloggers; not just news reporters like Taglines, but also those trying to express their ideas or bring their poetry or fiction to a wider audience. There are many who publish their novels entirely in electronic form and who use the on-line self publishing software to get hard copies printed for sale.
A few lucky authors with a wide following attract commercial publishers who will print and distribute their works, even occasionally a best seller.

Albi author Florence Clerfeuille

Albi novelist Florence Clerfeuille has been offering her novels on the internet for the past five years and her tales of a cat have around 10000 followers, but she has never sought a commercial publisher - but now Terra Nova have approached her and are publishing her book "Le Chat au jeu de quilles" - the cat who played skittles. Now Florence has seen her book on sale in bookshops throughout France, believing that those who want a "real" book are a different market to the Kindle readers. The book is a trilogy that has been published as a collection. Let's hope she has a great success.
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Asterix still best seller

The best-seller list for French books in 2015 is headed by the latest Asterix "Le Papyrus de Cesar", with 1.6 million copies sold. Second place is taken by the 4th volume of EL James "Shed" saga (the other volumes are 5th, 8th and 15th!). Popular novels occupy several places, with Michel Houellebecq's "Soumission" in 5th place being the best selling "literary" title. Thrillers feature well in the top 50 but no block-busters and literary prizes are no guarantee of high sales. The list is compiled by "Livres Hebdo" magazine but makes no mention of books downloaded for reading on electronic media.
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Malc says "What slip of the mind made me put "Shed saga" for the EL James book - perhaps "50 Sheds" was just that bit better than "50 Shades of Grey".

Book swap favourite dies

Talking to a regular swapper as she examined a Scandinavian detective novel, she remarked that it was a genre she really enjoyed, as do so many of us. One of its greatest exponents, Henning Mankel, creator of Wallander, has died today, aged only 67.
Mankel was not only a fine writer, but a great humanitarian. Living for many years in Africa he was shocked on his return to Sweden to see the rise of xenophobia. Like many north European countries Sweden had welcomed migrants from Africa and Asia, but the economic downturn there as with elsewhere led to the rise of neo-nazi groups intent on finding scapegoats, the changes to their previously homogeneous society being an easy target for the problems.
His hero he portrayed as an ordinary police inspector, with faults, illnesses and family problems. But he had a profound commitment to justice; and justice for all. He remained doggedly determined to seek the truth and resist cynicism. Mankel divided his time between Sweden and Africa; one foot in sand and one in snow, as he said.
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Local winner

The Salon du Livre d'Artiste, Sous Couverture, closed its doors on Sunday with the Jury Prize going to a local artist, ahead of competition from all over France.
Organisers Mosaique en Val were delighted with the attendance throughout the two weeks the various events took place and the exhibition of works of art and objects, many for sale.

Entries from local schools and groups

The Jury of local people active in the world of art and books chose (after much deliberation over the merits of the many fine books submitted) the very original work of Martine Paroux (Mapa), now resident in Verfeil, and made a special mention for the stunning book of Michel Boucaut, from the Aude.
The public also voted well for M Boucaut, but chose as their favourite a work on the "Poissons de Mediterranee", submitted by Catherine Liegeois, who lives near Macon in Haute Savoie. The artist said it was her first time in St Antonin and thanked everyone for their warm welcome.

Martine Paroux and Catherine Liegeois

This was the 14th edition of the Salon and adds a good deal of gravitas to the artistic life of the area; the organisers deserve much recognition for their efforts.
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Patrick Modiano tells his memories form his writings

The French author Patrick Modiano picks up his Nobel Prize for Literature in Stockholm on Wednesday. Given that the first question asked by many outside France was "Who is Patrick Modiano? we’ve put together a list of ten things you need to know about him.
He may not be well known in the Anglo literary world but he certainly is in France, where he is considered one of the country’s most celebrated writers.  His crowning moment before winning this year’s Nobel Literature Prize was in 1978 when he picked up France’s prestigious Goncourt prize for his book “Missing Person”. He’s also won the National Literature Grand Prize (1996) and the French Academy’s Grand Prize for his novel “Ring Roads”.

The 69-year-old, born at the end of World War Two has described the Occupation of France as "the soil I grew up in". On awarding him the Nobel Prize the Swedish Academy said it wanted to celebrate his "art of memory" in capturing the lives of ordinary people during German rule, which lasted from 1940 to 1944 in France. Modiano's recreations of wartime Paris are stuffed with meticulous detail - street names, cafes, metro stations and real-life events at that time - earning him the moniker of literary archaeologist. More in the Local

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Must visit the library

We have been planning to pop into our local village library today, but imagine coming across something like this.
A Shakespeare First Folio has been discovered in a library in a small French town where it lay undiscovered for two centuries.

It is only the second known copy in France of a publication that is seen as one of the most valuable books in the English language and which can sell for millions on the rare occasions a copy comes up for auction.

The librarian in the northern town of Saint-Omer, near Calais, said he came across the book in September when he was selecting books for an upcoming exhibition on historic links between the local region and England.

“It was sitting on a shelf alongside other books by English authors,” Rémy Cordonnier, who runs the library’s rare books collection, told the Telegraph.
A First Folio edition fetched £2.8million at auction in London in 2006. Another sold for 5.6 millions dollars en 2001 in a Christie’s sale in New York.
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A Christmas present made easy

A signed first edition of Roger Moore's autobiography   "Last Man Standing, Tales from tinsel town" published in 2014 has been offered by a reader to be sold for one of TAG charities. It would make a lovely Christmas present and is in pristine condition. The film star who played the Saint and James Bond and countless other roles is also a famous raconteur making this book a particularly good read. If you are interested make me an offer over 10 euros and it could be yours.
offers to  taglines82@gmail.com

Prix Goncourt

The prestigious literary prize has been awarded to a 66 year old novelist whose parents fled Franco's regime in Spain and who learnt French from books and at school. Lydie Salvaire's novel, Pas Pleurer (Dont Cry) deals with her mother's memories of that time in Spain and the views of a right-wing French writer, Georges Bernanos, who was equally shocked by the Franco regime's excesses. The prize actually is worth 10 euros, but can lead to a sales bonanza. Last year's winner leapt from 30000 copies sold to over 600,000.
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Toulouse has changed little in a hundred years

A book of photographs has been published on that lovely city Toulouse. The photographer says it has changed little in a 100 years. 
The guide book is written by Patricia Salic and the photographs are by a Toulouse photographer Didier Taillefer.

Toulouse. Hier & aujourd'hui», 70 pages. Éditions Wartberg. 16 €.
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French author wins Nobel Prize

The prize for Literature has been won by Patrick Modiano, a 68 year old French writer, whose 30 odd novels explore particularly France under the occupation during World War II. The jury praised his work for the evocation of the stories of extraordinary characters and his unveiling the world of the Occupation.
His novel "Rue des boutiques obscures" won the Prix Goncourt in 1968 and he was awarded the Grand Prix National des Lettres in 1996.
Makes you feel you might want to read something - any recommendations?

Sarah says 
I was just watching an interview with a biographer of Modiano, who recommended "Dora Bruder", a story about a man who finds a "missing person" notice in a newspaper from December 1941 looking for Dora, a young Jewish girl who ran away from her convent school during the Occupation and who apparently disappeared. The narrator attempts to trace Dora.

The Swedish Academy recommended that a good introduction to his work is "Missing Person", which I think is the English-language version of "Rue des Boutiques Obscures".comments to taglines82@gmail.com

I am not alone

You know those stickers on books you buy nowadays saying 3 for the price of two or Richard and Judy's book club choice, well I am not the only one who finds them offensive. Sharon of St. Antonin is like me, she has to neatly peel them off before reading and before we knew it others were agreeing.
An artist has designed artwork especially for that book and the author has approved it, such a shame to then deface the book with stickers.
Wouldn't it be great to be such an important writer you could dictate, " no stickers on my books please" but I suppose if sales suffered you would not do it. One always has to remember writers are not just writing for their pleasure although pleasurable it maybe.
Malc says I should say Sharon was the Regatta champ.
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