November wraps Paris in wool and rain, and this month we're celebrating the women who wrote this city into being. After a month devoted to French classic authors—all men, as it happens—I'm turning to feminine voices, both contemporary and timeless.
I share three very different reads for November: Lucy Foley's dark, addictive The Paris Apartment, Nina George's healing Little Paris Bookshop, and Tatiana de Rosnay's atmospheric The Rain Watcher. We explore the essentials of Parisian feminine style—red lipstick as armour, signature scents that announce rather than whisper, and the scarf as the city's greatest fashion statement.
There's a playlist of French feminine voices to transport you to a rainy café, and an intimate evening ritual: writing a letter to your younger self, not as a pep talk, but as an honest reckoning with the path that brought you here.
Join me as we honour the women writers who claimed Paris as their own, one deliberate page at a time.
Episode includes:
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For years, I thought Émile Zola's writing was too dark for me. But this autumn, revisiting The Ladies' Paradise (Au Bonheur des Dames) completely changed how I see something as ordinary as shopping in my city.
Join me on a literary walk through Paris as I explore the grand department stores that inspired Zola's masterpiece—Le Bon Marché, Galeries Lafayette, and Printemps—and discover the fabric shops of Montmartre that still hold the magic of the 19th century.
In this video, we'll explore:
Subscribe to follow along with future Book Walks, and let me know in the comments: What classic have you rediscovered with fresh eyes?
📖 My Parisian Reading Rituals : Discover my favorite hidden corners of Paris for reading, pausing, and daydreaming. Download your free guide here : https://theritualofreading.com/my-parisian-reading-rituals/
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This October, I'm diving into the masters of French literature—Balzac, Stendhal, and Proust—while embracing timeless Parisian beauty and autumn traditions. From audiobook discoveries to XIXth-century cosmetics, heirloom table linens, and an apple tarte tatin tribute to Maupassant, join me for a cosy exploration of classic literature and slow living in Paris.
📖 My Parisian Reading Rituals : Discover my favorite hidden corners of Paris for reading, pausing, and daydreaming. Download your free guide here : https://theritualofreading.com/my-parisian-reading-rituals/
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In this episode, I take you inside a September evening at Librairie Millepages in Vincennes, where I listened to Percival Everett speak about his award-winning novel James. What began as an author talk became something much deeper: a meditation on the subversive power of reading itself.
From Everett’s exploration of language and identity, to the idea that sustained attention is a quiet form of resistance, I share how this encounter reshaped the way I think about books, the rentrée littéraire, and even The Ritual of Reading. Along the way, we consider why art matters not because of how many people it reaches, but because of the lives it transforms.
If you’ve ever wondered whether sitting down with a novel could be revolutionary, this conversation is for you.
📖 My Parisian Reading Rituals : Discover my favorite hidden corners of Paris for reading, pausing, and daydreaming. Download your free guide here : https://theritualofreading.com/my-parisian-reading-rituals/
🔖Connect with me:
Website: https://theritualofreading.com
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🍂 Join me for a September walk along the Seine as I rediscover Paris through the pages of Ruth Reichl’s The Paris Novel. This book walk is both a review and a love letter—to the city I chose as my home, to the power of reinvention, and to the quiet rituals that make Paris endlessly new.In this video, I’ll take you with me along the riverbanks, sharing how The Paris Novel mirrors my own Parisian story: arriving with two suitcases and an open heart, learning the city through its people, and falling in love with its timeless rhythm all over again.✨ Whether you’re planning a trip to Paris, love autumn walks, or enjoy novels that capture the magic of food and reinvention, I hope this video inspires you to see the city—and your own story—with fresh eyes.📖 My Parisian Reading Rituals : Discover my favorite hidden corners of Paris for reading, pausing, and daydreaming. Download your free guide here : https://theritualofreading.com/my-parisian-reading-rituals/ 🔖Connect with me:Website: https://theritualofreading.com Substack: https://theritualofreading.substack.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritual_of_reading/ Pinterest: https://fr.pinterest.com/ritual_of_reading/ 💌 Support me on Ko-Fi : https://ko-fi.com/theritualofreading
Join me as autumn settles over Paris and the literary world comes alive with the Rentrée Littéraire—France's beloved back-to-school season for books. In this episode, I'm sharing how I'm experiencing this quintessentially Parisian tradition through my own lens: discovering French translations, embracing cozy reading rituals, and choosing curiosity over literary pressure.
From The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods to Icelandic literature that slows time itself, I'll guide you through my September reading selections and the seasonal rituals that make autumn reading so magical—warm teas, candlelit evenings, and the return of needlework companions.
Whether you're in Paris or dreaming of it from afar, this episode captures the essence of literary autumn: that perfect blend of new discoveries and timeless comfort that makes September the most enchanting reading season of all.
Perfect for: book lovers, Francophiles, anyone seeking cozy autumn inspiration, and fellow readers who believe in the magic of seasonal rituals.
Continue the ritual over on the website : theritualofreading.com
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August has been my month of Italian inspiration, and I’m closing it with a literary passport: 10 books that transport you straight to Italy. From Ferrante’s vibrant Naples to Baricco’s lyrical seas, from a seamstress’s Sardinian dreams to the bold, sprawling life of Modesta in The Art of Joy, these stories capture the many faces of Italy—its beauty, its chaos, its irresistible charm.
Whether you’re craving sun-drenched piazzas, a taste of Puglia, or the quiet nostalgia of the Amalfi Coast, these books will take you there—no ticket required.
📚 Books mentioned in this episode:
L’amica geniale tetralogy – Elena Ferrante
The Seamstress of Sardinia – Bianca Pitzorno
La fougue d’Anna (Anna's Escape) – Mattia Corrente
Novecento – Alessandro Baricco
The Book of San Michele – Axel Munthe
The Imperfectionists – Tom Rachman
The Apprentice Lover – Jay Parini
Six Characters in Search of an Author – Luigi Pirandello
The Art of Joy – Goliarda Sapienza
Head Over Heel: Seduced by Southern Italy – Chris Harrison
✨ Stay tuned for next month’s series: A Parisian Autumn at The Ritual of Reading, where we’ll wander through bookshops, cafés, and stories set in the City of Light.
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In this episode of The Ritual of Reading, we leave Italy’s bustling cities behind and step into the quiet charm of the countryside. Through three evocative books — Phil Doran’s The Reluctant Tuscan, Alba Donati’s Diary of a Tuscan Bookshop, and Paolo Cognetti’s The Wild Boy — we explore the rhythms, beauty, and wisdom of rural life. From sun-dappled hills and mountain solitude to small villages where books bring people together, these stories remind us that the countryside isn’t just a place, but a way of living. Join me as we wander through landscapes both real and imagined, discovering lessons in patience, presence, and the art of slowing down.
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What if August could teach us how to live all year long? In this episode, I explore the beauty of the Italian lifestyle through three evocative books and a series of beloved rituals—from Ferragosto to aperitivo, from gelato to il dolce far niente.
These are stories and reflections on joy, presence, and the quiet art of celebration. Featuring:
– You Deserve Good Gelato by Kacie Rose
– Bella Figura by Kamin Mohammadi
– La Bella Lingua by Dianne Hales
Press play, slow down, and let yourself wander.
➕ For more slow travel through literature, visit theritualofreading.com
📬 Subscribe to The Ritual of Reading newsletter for seasonal reading rituals and literary inspiration
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This August, I stayed in Paris but longed for Italy—the warmth, the language, the luminous beauty of long vowels and late afternoons. So I took my books for a walk and followed the scent of Italian summer into the heart of the Marais.
In this episode, come with me on a slow literary stroll through Rue du Roi de Sicile, where I discovered La Tour de Babel, a hidden gem of an Italian bookshop. With the music of the language in the air and Calvino in my bag, I let the city become a story. We’ll wander through pages and piazzas, between languages and identities, and end our walk at Eataly Paris Marais—because sometimes, reading pasta labels is the best kind of travel.
Whether you're planning a real trip or longing for one, let this episode be your escape into the joy of books, bookstores, and imagination-led journeys.
➕ For more slow travel through literature, visit theritualofreading.com
📬 Subscribe to The Ritual of Reading newsletter for seasonal reading rituals and literary inspiration
☕ Support the podcast on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/theritualofreading
📖 Read this week’s essay on Substack: https://theritualofreading.substack.com/
This month on The Ritual of Reading, we’re heading south — in spirit, at least. August brings with it a golden haze, and I’m letting it take me straight to Italy: a place of memory, language, heat, and beauty.
In this episode, I’m sharing my personal literary mood board for the month — filled with rituals, reading, and sensory details that summon the spirit of la dolce vita. No travel needed. Just a love for books, summer, and slow living.
✨ Mentioned:
– Italian Playlist:
– Summer Reading Ritual Guide:
– My Italian Escape video from 2023 (and the Bellini recipe): https://youtu.be/kLmN7DHl0Nw?si=8LGA2FRXenQ3BSDs
– Newsletter & Wallpapers: https://theritualofreading.com/the-ritual-of-reading-newsletter/
Thank you for listening — and for making reading a ritual.
Whether you garden with muddy hands or simply admire from a sunny windowsill, this episode explores the quiet joy of tending to green things. I’m sharing seven books—spanning memoir, history, and fiction—that celebrate the poetic, healing, and thoughtful nature of gardens.
We’ll travel through English estates, tulip-filled Dutch fields, and meditative Japanese landscapes, discovering how gardens grow more than just plants—they grow people too.
🌿 Featuring:
The Morville Hours – Katherine Swift
Elizabeth and Her German Garden – Elizabeth von Arnim
The Tulip – Anna Pavord
The Well-Gardened Mind – Sue Stuart-Smith
The Virago Book of Women Gardeners
The Samurai’s Garden – Gail Tsukiyama
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle – Barbara Kingsolver
📺 Watch next:
🪴 What gardening books have stayed with you? I'd love to hear your favorites.
In this July episode of The Ritual of Reading, I explore the quiet harmony between two deeply restorative practices: gardening and reading. One engages the hands, the other the mind—but both nourish the spirit and help us create balance in a busy world.
This reflection unfolds in three parts:
– How reading and gardening complement one another to soothe and center us
– The quiet courage of beginning—whether planting seeds or opening pages
– The beauty of solitary rituals that, in time, bloom outward toward others
This is an invitation to slow down, breathe deeply, and tend your own inner garden.
✨ New episodes every Sunday
🌸 Get your free Summer Reading Ritual guide at https://theritualofreading.com/the-summer-reading-ritual-2025/
In this summer episode of The Ritual of Reading, I take you along on a gentle walk through one of Paris’s most beloved parks: the Luxembourg Gardens. Our literary companion is Elvire de Brissac, whose book Le Long du Luxembourg paints the history of the gardens not through timelines, but through stories—anecdotes, characters, and quiet moments that bring centuries to life.
As we walk, we meet Marie de Médicis, trace the legacy of the palace she built, and reflect on how reading can change the way we experience the world around us. This isn’t just about history—it’s about how a book can shift your perspective, even on a familiar path.
✨ Download your free Summer Reading Ritual guide → https://theritualofreading.com/the-summer-reading-ritual-2025/
A seasonal companion full of literary pairings, florals, and slow rituals to enrich your summer—both on and off the page.
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If you enjoy this literary walk, consider following the podcast for more episodes that blend books, beauty, and creative living.
#BookWalk #TheRitualofReading #LuxembourgGardens #ParisPodcast #SummerReading #ElviredeBrissac #LiteraryTravel #ReadingInParis
July arrives like a soft breath in the middle of the year — slow, shimmering, and in-between. In this episode of The Ritual of Reading, I’m sharing the inspirations shaping my summer: early morning walks in Paris, quiet rituals that soothe the heatwave, and books that bloom like gardens on the page.
You’ll hear about the reads accompanying me this month — from Penelope Lively’s meditations on gardening and memory, to a historical novel steeped in the history of the Luxembourg Gardens, and the ever-delightful Diary of a Provincial Lady. There’s also a hydrangea named Hortense, a seasonal quiche recipe, and a gentle reflection on how to create moments of joy even when you're not on vacation.
If you’re staying home this July, this episode is your invitation to notice beauty where you are — to read slowly, walk gently, and build a summer you don’t need to escape from.
Links mentioned:
– The Summer Reading Ritual (free guide): https://theritualofreading.com/the-summer-reading-ritual-2025/
– Courgette, Mint & Feta Quiche Recipe:
– July Literary Mood Board (blog post):
– Say hello on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritual_of_reading/
What role does reading still play in our modern, screen-saturated lives? In this reflective episode of The Ritual of Reading, Alexandra explores that question through the lens of Jojo Moyes’ bestselling novel The Giver of Stars. What begins as a search for mountain-side escapism turns into a deeper meditation on literature, empathy, and the quiet magic of stories that shape us.
We’ll talk about the power of books to build compassion, the reasons why some people resist reading, and how sharing stories—even casually—can open new worlds. Whether you're a lifelong booklover or just curious about why reading still matters, this episode offers a gentle and thoughtful take on the enduring ritual of books.
📚 Featured Book: The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
📝 Mentioned: The Summer Reading Ritual (free guide at theritualofreading.com)
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If this episode moved you, consider sharing it with a fellow reader—or someone who might become one.
#TheRitualOfReading #BookPodcast #ReadingLife #JojoMoyes #TheGiverOfStars #SummerReading #BookLovers #LiteraryPodcast
Welcome, summer. 🌞 In this special solstice episode, I share the story behind The Summer Reading Ritual — a free digital guide I created to help you shape your midsummer mindset through books, small seasonal pleasures, and soft joy.
You’ll hear about the rituals that anchor my own summer days, why I once thought summer wasn’t for me, and how reading can become a gentle form of presence this time of year.
✨ Download your free guide here: https://theritualofreading.com/the-summer-reading-ritual-2025/
Perfect for slow afternoons, golden evenings, and quiet chapters under the sun.
Whether you’re heading to the beach with a book or simply dreaming of stillness, this episode is an invitation to make your summer a little more intentional — and a little more literary.
#TheRitualOfReading #SummerReading #FreeGuide #LiteraryLifestyle #SlowLiving #SeasonalLiving #SummerSolstice #ReadingRitual
In this episode of The Ritual of Reading, I invite you to join me for a walk along the windswept beaches of Normandy and into the world of Tracy Chevalier’s Remarkable Creatures. Part travel reflection, part book meditation, this episode explores how the quiet presence of the sea, the act of noticing, and the overlooked lives of women like Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot can inspire our own daily rituals.
We’ll talk about fossils, solitude, green tea that tastes like seaweed, and the invisible threads that guide our reading journeys. Whether you're listening from the coast or the city, let this be a gentle moment of literary escape and coastal wonder.
✨ Includes a reading from Remarkable Creatures
📖 Perfect for lovers of historical fiction, slow living, and mindful reading
🌊 Bring your tea and your curiosity
As the clay courts of Paris come alive for the 2025 Roland Garros tournament, this episode serves up a tribute to the spirit of tennis. I share three compelling non-fiction book recommendations that explore the sport’s beauty, discipline, and psychology—paired with personal reflections on what tennis means to me. Layered with the ambient sounds of the courts, this is an immersive listening experience for anyone who finds poetry in a rally, tension in a tie-break, and magic in the red clay.
Whether you're a lifelong fan or a curious newcomer, join me in celebrating the game behind the game.
Reading isn’t just a hobby—it’s a way to come home to yourself. In this episode of The Ritual of Reading, we explore how books can become a sanctuary in the midst of busy, noisy lives. If you’ve ever felt too distracted, overwhelmed, or guilty to sit down with a book, this is your gentle reminder that reading should never feel like a chore. I’m sharing my ten commandments for a relaxing reading experience—a personal guide to reclaiming reading as a source of peace and pleasure. From creating a calming environment to embracing slowness and letting go of expectations, this episode offers a quiet space to reconnect with the joy of reading, just as you are.