[.ca] Entre Nous: A Women's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl (ISBN 0312308760)

This book is a must-have for any woman!:
i absolutely love this book. It is an excellent guide for any woman who wants to celebrate her feminity. It provides a common sense approach to managing aspects of a womans life that often get overlooked in the daily rush of 'survival' north america. the author encourages women to find beauty and poetry in the everyday; to enjoy the simple things that and find happiness and joy in everyday existance. This book is not a self-help book per say, but it has changed my life much more than the common 'Dr. Phil-esque' advice. The author gives tips on how to build a wardrobe (citing certain up-to date brands and designers), cooking a simple yet elegant meal (with recipes), etiquette, and suggestions on how to further develop your unique, classy and irresistable self.

Fun, insightful read that makes you think!:
I really enjoyed this book. The author's observations really got me thinking about cultural norms and the presumptions/habits we make just because, seemingly, "everybody else does it this way." Several aspects in this book - including dining, child rearing, pleasure-seeking - all drive home a key message of prioritizing quality over quantity in all facets of life. This made a lot of sense to me - and I've become inspired to incorporate such 'Frenchisms' into my life.

For Francophiles or anyone wishing to live more elegantly:
I finished this book last night and could easily keep it on hand as a reference for wonderful, conscious, elegant, sophisticated living. (Unfortunately, I borrowed it from the library and have to take it back. :( ) While this book doesn't cover many things I would have liked to known, you read the last page with an indirect knowledge of how a French girl would act in most situations. The best thing I got from this book (I took notes as I read) was a wealth of names of French people to look up (Pauline de Rothschild), French movie recommendations (Milou en Mai), French books to read, including wonderful cookbooks to peruse (Mastering the Art of French Cooking), and entertaining tips. Read this book and savor all the wonderful things that can be learned from it. For anyone interested in a fresh take on life!

Recommended for insight to French culture.....:
Olivier is an enthusiastic and adoring commentator on culture of upper class France with good insight on this refined and ancient society. And her description of the concrete support the French government gives to families (maternal leave, affordable child care) puts the self-righteous lip service of our government to shame. I think this would be an excellent book to read before visiting France, if only to assure that you don't add to the myth of the "Ugly American Abroad". However, if you are an American girl who, amazingly, manages to live with style, discretion and good food despite the lack of exposure to France, prepare to feel a little incredulous at the white-hot adoration with which Olivier describes her French girl while asserting her (and the French's) fondness for her description of the overly enthusiastic puppy-sish, sweats-clad, Velveeta-munching American girl. (Velveeta? I've never bought Velveeta in my life!) As a native of California who has found much style, grace, and rituals of good food in my home region as did my sister Californians, M.F.K. Fischer and Julia Child, I am pleased that Olivier has found such joy in her culture by marriage. However, I hope I do not sound too jingoistic when I say that in her very acceptance and appreciation of the French culture (a very American/Californian trait) Olivier tends to treat her native culture with thinly veiled condescension ....a very French trait.

Must be read with champagne flute in hand:
This book was so fun! I read it very leisurely during a span of 3 or 4 days. Is it a realistic portrayal of the French Girl? Probably not, but it reminded me to slow down and savour each sensory moment, regardless of what people think.