The Piano Shop on the Left Bank *BOOKRAY*
12 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by bestfriends from - Ergens in de provincie, Gelderland Netherlands on Friday, March 31, 2006
My first Bookray:
Discovering a Forgotten Passion in a Paris Atelier.
"In this engaging memoir, an American writer living in Paris recounts his experiences in a piano shop tucked into an out-of-the way street on the rive gauche."
This book will be a replacement for SqueakyChu's ray that got stalled. I found a second copy for the non European part of the (long) list.
This is a link to the other copy (INT/non-European)
Please sign my Guestmap if you joined this ray
Shippinglist for Europe:
brandane60 -- France=>France+Europe
biblioknoef -- France=>France
E-J-V -- France=>France/Europe
chich -- France=>?
LindyLouMac Italy=>EU
**AnglersRest UK=>UK+EU
**cnfotp - UK=>EU
**Kernow8 UK=>INT
pennydainty Scotland => EU
j4neyo UK=>EU(INT)
andthings UK=>INT<= 23/3 was on it's way here STALLED
** = participants from the stalled list, who reconfirmed.
Journal Entry 2 by bestfriends from - Ergens in de provincie, Gelderland Netherlands on Wednesday, April 5, 2006
I truly enjoyed this charming, interesting story. I liked the author's pleasant, almost melodious style of writing.
Could imagine not everybody will appreciate it though. That's for you to find out. Looking forward to the journal entries!
I will remember it as a book that made me sorry, I never took those pianolessons, my mother always wanted me to have ;-). It also made me realise, that it's about time I visited Paris again; a trip I postponed for far too long.
Well, at least the book will start travelling tomorrow. Not to Paris, but to Bordeaux ;-) Have a safe journey little book!
to all participants:
Please:
• make a journal entry when the book arrives
• try to read it within a month
• ask the next on the list for his/her address*)
• make a new journal entry when finished (short review)
• wrap it up well and send it on.
• PM me in case of any problems/unforseen delay
*)Hint: Ask for the address of the next on the list before you have finished reading; sometimes it takes a while before you get a reply. Some people don't get PM's. You may have to look for an e-mail address on their profile, or leave an ISO message on the forum. Cheapest postage rate is fine.
Happy reading!
Could imagine not everybody will appreciate it though. That's for you to find out. Looking forward to the journal entries!
I will remember it as a book that made me sorry, I never took those pianolessons, my mother always wanted me to have ;-). It also made me realise, that it's about time I visited Paris again; a trip I postponed for far too long.
Well, at least the book will start travelling tomorrow. Not to Paris, but to Bordeaux ;-) Have a safe journey little book!
to all participants:
Please:
• make a journal entry when the book arrives
• try to read it within a month
• ask the next on the list for his/her address*)
• make a new journal entry when finished (short review)
• wrap it up well and send it on.
• PM me in case of any problems/unforseen delay
*)Hint: Ask for the address of the next on the list before you have finished reading; sometimes it takes a while before you get a reply. Some people don't get PM's. You may have to look for an e-mail address on their profile, or leave an ISO message on the forum. Cheapest postage rate is fine.
Happy reading!
Journal Entry 3 by bestfriends at To the next participant in Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Thursday, April 6, 2006
Released 18 yrs ago (4/6/2006 UTC) at To the next participant in Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
I don't play piano and normally avoid books about foreigners having a great life in France like the plague. So, got the book, opened it to read a couple of pages - and finished it in two days!!!!!! For me this book was about the difference between living in Paris, and actually becoming part of the life of the quartier. Thanks bestfriends, I really enjoyed it. Sent on to biblioknoep
Thanks for sending it on to me brandane60 - I'll start the book as soon as possible!
Very interesting (I see my baby grand with other eyes now) book and pleasant style but I was not very fascinated by the story so did not read it till the end.
Will be sent on to E-J-V tomorrow.
Will be sent on to E-J-V tomorrow.
The book arrived in Paris today :-) bestfriends got me interested in the story and I'm happy she gave me the opportunity to participate in this bookray.
Bonjour from the Left Bank ;-) Reading the back, I was afraid this book would be a tourist guide to the 'real' Paris and that the author would be one of those writers who likes to go to 'Le cafe de Flore' for inspiration. Hence, I was pleasantly surprised that his love for music and pianos and his friendship with the shopowner are the center of the book. I really enjoyed reading it. I know exactly what he means when he says he doesn't like to play for others (I also like to play my flute when nobody is around). It's nice to see how a passion can bring people together and create friendships that otherwise probably would have never started.
Thanks bestfriends for making it a Ray :-)
27/06/06: sent to chich
Thanks bestfriends for making it a Ray :-)
27/06/06: sent to chich
Journal Entry 9 by chich from Ibiza - Sant Antoni de Portmany, Illes Balears/Islas Baleares Spain on Friday, June 30, 2006
Book received today, thanks a lot E-J-V !I'll finish the book I'm reading right now and will get right on to this one:)
Journal Entry 10 by chich from Ibiza - Sant Antoni de Portmany, Illes Balears/Islas Baleares Spain on Tuesday, July 4, 2006
Although this was a pleasant read I didn't get much into it, maybe because I've never played an instrument? Still, it's a lovely story about friendship, hence an ideal bookring for bestfriends to be hosting!
Thanks for sharing bestfriends:) I'll PM anna1000 for her address and should be able to send her the book by Friday.
Updated July 7: I haven't yet heard from Anna1000 so as agreed with bestfriends I'll send the book to LindyLouMac directly.
Having just today finished my current book, this has arrived with perfect timing. I will be starting it later on, with thanks to bestfriends for including me in this Bookray and to chich for sending on to me. Reading the previous reviews I think I will enjoy this, so watch this space!
In France it is very difficult to gain access to small businesses without a personal introduction and it is just such a small business that the author becomes invloved with. He captures wonderfully the friendship, enthusiasm and humour of his new friend Luc. An enchanting book and all the more interesting if you happen to be musical and play the piano.
I have an address for anglersrest so once she has confirmed she still wants it this will be en route.
I have an address for anglersrest so once she has confirmed she still wants it this will be en route.
Journal Entry 13 by LindyLouMac at To the next participant in Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Saturday, July 29, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (7/31/2006 UTC) at To the next participant in Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
En route to Anglersrest in the UK
En route to Anglersrest in the UK
Arrived today from Italy - thanks for sending. I have just started a further wave of ring fever as this is now the 4th ring I have here. My current ring read has 1400 pages, but once I have read that I should be able to zip through the other rings, and get this on its way. Its likely to be a couple of weeks though. Looking forward to reading this.
I start this one early last week and soon became caught up in the world of Luc and his wonderful piano shop. The book was written in a gentle way and I found that I really did enjoy it.
I guess the historian in me was interested in the facts and figures of how many pianos were made - 50,000 in 1850 and 500,000 in 1910, of which 350,000 were in the US. I did a quick search on Ancestry.com for piano maker and that showed that 471 people were recorded as piano makers in England in the 1881 census. There were no later figures, but only because I searched for an occupation rather than a known individual.
I was slightly disappointed that the author didn't try and find anything out about the name and serial number that was found on his piano, but again that is the historian in me and didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book.
I have the address for cnfotp and the book will be off on its travels on 14th Aug. Thanks bestfriends for sharing the book, I did enjoy it; this is one of those books that leaves me pondering and thinking about it after I have finished it and sent it on its way.
I guess the historian in me was interested in the facts and figures of how many pianos were made - 50,000 in 1850 and 500,000 in 1910, of which 350,000 were in the US. I did a quick search on Ancestry.com for piano maker and that showed that 471 people were recorded as piano makers in England in the 1881 census. There were no later figures, but only because I searched for an occupation rather than a known individual.
I was slightly disappointed that the author didn't try and find anything out about the name and serial number that was found on his piano, but again that is the historian in me and didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book.
I have the address for cnfotp and the book will be off on its travels on 14th Aug. Thanks bestfriends for sharing the book, I did enjoy it; this is one of those books that leaves me pondering and thinking about it after I have finished it and sent it on its way.
Just dropped through my letterbox - thank you everyone :) I can't wait to read this so will curl up with it later on today...
Wow, I found this book simply breathtaking. So much so, I found I wanted to slow down and only read small portions at a time and savour each one. It is a rare thing for a book to produce these feelings in me. Usually it's either hunger (where I devour it in one sitting), indifference (where I leave the book and forget I ever started reading it ) or disgust (this is rare, but does happen, and these books tend to be subjected to burst of abuse before being found a new home).
Firstly, I loved the descriptions of Paris. I've only been once, but straight away I felt I was back there, remembering the sounds and smells. Of course, I was only ever a tourist and never gained a glimpse of this inner world.
The author's passion for pianos swept me away, it was almost like reading a love story at times. I'm not a musically gifted person and have only had limited experience with pianos, but I now find myself looking at them with more understanding and even a little awe. Carhart's enthusiasm is certainly catching.
I also loved the French phrases which are littered throughout the book and hope to find the time to jot a few down before sending this off to the next reader, who I will be contacting this afternoon.
Firstly, I loved the descriptions of Paris. I've only been once, but straight away I felt I was back there, remembering the sounds and smells. Of course, I was only ever a tourist and never gained a glimpse of this inner world.
The author's passion for pianos swept me away, it was almost like reading a love story at times. I'm not a musically gifted person and have only had limited experience with pianos, but I now find myself looking at them with more understanding and even a little awe. Carhart's enthusiasm is certainly catching.
I also loved the French phrases which are littered throughout the book and hope to find the time to jot a few down before sending this off to the next reader, who I will be contacting this afternoon.
My apologies to everyone for holding onto this book for so long. We've had a financial crisis and had to put the postage costs on hold until it's sorted. I'll get the book moving again as soon as I can.
Posted on Saturday. I apologise again for the delay. It's a great book - thank you for sharing :)
Journal Entry 20 by Kernow8 from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 1, 2006
Book received yesterday - thanks! I'm in the middle of another book right now but will read this one next.
My other book was going a bit too slowly so I've put that one on hold to get this one moving again. So far so good - it's very readable and keeps me reaching for the book, as its about one of my passions in life (France, not music, although by the time I've finished I may be drawn to starting piano lessons!)
I'll ask for the next address today to keep this on the road.
I'll ask for the next address today to keep this on the road.
Journal Entry 22 by bestfriends from - Ergens in de provincie, Gelderland Netherlands on Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Allowed Kernow8 a little more time. She wanted to send it on (unfinished) this week, just before Christmas, which I think is not such a good idea because of the long queues in the postoffices and the crazyness in the mail.
Hope she can send it on soon after that.
Hope she can send it on soon after that.
Journal Entry 23 by Kernow8 from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Saturday, December 30, 2006
Read and ready to go off to pennydainty as soon as the post offices open in the New Year. I very much enjoyed this - the Northern Virginian parts reminded me of my expat time spent there, and of course I loved the Parisian bits! I'm not sure whether I have been inspired to learn how to play the piano - to be honest Thad Carhart and his friends and acquaintances were so full of reverence for the instrument that I would feel a bit daunted and unworthy!
Journal Entry 24 by Kernow8 from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, January 3, 2007
I posted this yesterday, so pennydainty should get it very soon. Thanks again, bestfriends!
book arrived safely today. What a nice way to start 2007. I will get to this asap.Thanks for posting it on Kernow8.
Journal Entry 26 by j4neyo from Whitchurch, Shropshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Arrived safely in the post - many thanks to pennydainty!
I found my mind wandered frequently while reading this book but there were interesting parts and the author has a nice writing style.
Have pm'd andthings to send it on.
Have pm'd andthings to send it on.
Journal Entry 28 by bestfriends from - Ergens in de provincie, Gelderland Netherlands on Thursday, March 22, 2007
If the book has meanwhile been sent on, I'd like to know when. Or has it just not been journaled by the next? Lots of people are currently looking for andthings, with no result. I'd like to know the status of this book as that worries me.
Journal Entry 29 by j4neyo at Controlled Release in -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Friday, March 23, 2007
Released 17 yrs ago (3/20/2007 UTC) at Controlled Release in -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Posted to andthings
Posted to andthings
Journal Entry 30 by bestfriends from - Ergens in de provincie, Gelderland Netherlands on Saturday, June 16, 2007
Update: andthings replied to this ISO in the forum about a week ago. Hope the book is with her and not lost in the mail.
20th June: Still no word from andthings! Would like to know the status of this book!
Asked for accomodation on Lost Book Island
20th June: Still no word from andthings! Would like to know the status of this book!
Asked for accomodation on Lost Book Island
This book has washed ashore at the Lost Book Island after not being heard from for many months. This new arrival will be shown to a room and be allowed a bit of rest before being introduced to the many fun things to do here at the island.All around there are books sipping cool drinks under shady palms while other books participate in a wide variety of beach sports. There is plenty of sand, surf and sun here for all of the lost and wayward books to enjoy.
It is hoped that very soon a new journal entry will come to rescue this book from the island and send it back out into the BookCrossing world so that it may continue on its journey. It is hoped that the new journal entry will tell all the interested parties where this book has been this long time and where it will be traveling to next.
