MIREILLE'S MUSINGS: A Book Tour Snapshot

First week of my book tour…the press always asks the question, how do you feel about readings/lectures after a whole day of interviews. I love them. I get so much energy because it gives me a chance to see fans, talk with them and more. I am so grateful that women—and men—take time after a long day of work to come to these events. I have so many wonderful stories, yet at each event there seem to be some very special moments, a time to laugh or a time to cry but always pleasures.

So let me share the ones I will cherish forever… from this week: the handsome forty-ish man who sat in the first row and came at the end of the Q&A with piles of each of my books he had bought to sign for friends. He only wished I’d do something for men…or call the book French Men (that’s not the first time I’ve heard this). He said he read my first book over 5 years ago and after 2 years he had lost over 40 pounds. He felt like a new man, was into cooking and a new lifestyle. Then he read French Women For All Seasons and threw his TV out of the window and his lifestyle (surprise anyone?) got better…more time for friends and family, for cooking, reading and many new hobbies. He says he’ll be thankful forever. He’s a new man and living a new life. We shared a few jokes and a few good laughs. I was ready to pop a cork.

Then a pretty woman in her late thirties came with tears in her eyes and was having a hard time telling me that she had always had a weight problem, done every diet under the sun, always gaining her weight back and more, and then read my book and in a bit over two years lost over 20+ pounds EFFORTLESSLY she managed to say (by then she was in tears …the joy ones) and has not gained any back. Seeing her happiness made me want to pop a few more corks.

Finally, there were a few young women, most starting their professional careers, who thanked me for helping them make decisions, take risks, quit a job and get a job. One said to me, “merci for being my virtual mentor” (now that’s a first), I just landed a terrific job. Wow. I was now ready to give a party.

And a young woman came with a beautiful, small lavender gift and ribbon and told me shyly she had found what I was looking for…having read my spring cosmetics tips where I said the new Maybelline gel eyeliner comes in black only and I prefer violet/purple…well she found it in aubergine (eggplant) and I’ve already tried it: my color. Merci young, beautiful stranger for such a thoughtful gift.

And thank you to all the people, mostly women, bien sûr, who work so hard planning these events, dealing with all the details to make them so seamless. And when food and beverages are served, as the ladies at the Wellesley library volunteered, the connection is complete. Merci, merci, merci.

*The photo is the lid of a chocolate box made to welcome me at the Boston Four Seasons…the manager sent it with a lovely handwritten note. The pastry chef may have to read my books, though…made a dark chocolate box filled with 3 macaroons, the cover was white chocolate and all the colors…and on the serving plate there were more chocolate pieces with various shapes and fillings and a small chocolate cake…a work of art and some temptation!