Bonjour, Happiness!

March 1, 2011

A recipe for happiness with ingredients that you don't have to travel far to find.

Accustomed to the American pursuit of happiness, Callan (French Women Don't Sleep Alone, 2009, etc.) explores her French roots to find fulfillment in life's simple pleasures. The spirit of the book centers around the idea that: "In America, we've come to think that bigger and faster is better. But suppose it is the opposite—smaller and slower is better?" Through her travels, interviews and self-exploration, the author reveals the importance of living in the moment, and she offers delightful recipes for living. If you stop gormandizing, you will enjoy your meal, drop a few pounds and maybe even find a companion as depicted in Callan's instructions for a Roquefort soufflé. She urges readers to sit down and enjoy their coffee, to be inspired by their surroundings. Through a series of complimentary anecdotes, the author asks readers to examine how they lead their lives. Why not take the stairs? Why not take pride in what you wear, even if that means merely putting on some sexy lingerie? Why not use the fine china more often? Even though the author traveled to France to discover the art of happiness, she gives tangible suggestions on how to live like the French no matter where you are.

Translates the joie de vivre into a language of life that is not so foreign.

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)