A Year in the Merde by Stephen Clarke

What a ride! I didn’t want to put this one down for even a second. One guy spends 9 months (a business year to the French) in Paris to work on a project. The adventures and observations he has during this time make you feel like you were in his shoes going through it all. And the wit, the humour, the PUN!

I would be green with jealousy just with his euphemisms but I was too busy smiling or laughing silently on public transport. Taz really recommended it and I second that… This guy covers all the main topics you’d need to know about Paris. Things like weather, pedestrians, mentality, sociology, politics, economy, housing, love and romance, scenery, areas, customer secrets, secret affairs, buying a place in the country, illegal manoeuvres and lets not forget Dog poop/merde!

Stephens eye for detail paints the perfect picture for you to step into and experience it all. And each month is a different chapter. The things you can learn about Paris life in this book… I don’t think any frog would be able to teach you all.

The second last chapter was the only one that got kinda boring with politics and personal issues but it picks right back up. Before I go to Paris next time I gotta take notes. Oh and his love life got my expectations high too.

Extra bigup to Taz for this recommendation!