Ann Mah's newsletter / August 2019
August 2019 newsletter
Bonjour!
It has been quite a month and there's so much to talk about! Let's start with heatwave: In case you missed it, Paris broiled last week with a record high of 108ºF – and it was just as miserable as it sounds. Like almost everyone, we don't have air conditioning so we battled the heat by closing our apartment shutters, sitting in front of the fan, and taking cold showers. I stayed mostly indoors – it was actually marginally cooler inside! – but the brief periods I ventured outside were terrible. Even in the shade, the air was like a hairdryer or the blast from an oven, and the wind, when it blew, offered no relief. There was no way I was turning on the stove, so we ate cold food for a week – fruit, ham, cheese, and baguette... the latter strangely doughy and flabby; I think the extreme temperatures affected the proofing process. Overall, it was an intense, war-like experience and I quake at the prospect of the next canicule, and the next, and the next, for all signs indicate this is the new normal.
Here's what else I've been up to...
A new book!
I have exciting news! On the heels of my New York Times Travel article retracing the footsteps of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in Paris, I am thrilled to be writing a novel called Jacqueline in Paris, a coming-of-age story about the academic year (1949-1950) a young Jacqueline Bouvier spent in the battered, post-war City of Light. I'm researching and writing the book now and have been so inspired by photos like this one of Jacqueline and her fellow Smith in Paris students setting sail for France aboard the SS DeGrasse. For more details check out Publishers Weekly.
(Photo: CORBIS)
What I've been eating
–Before the heatwave, I stole a page from Florence resident and summer heat expert Emiko Davies and did some cooking in the early morning before it got too hot, whipping up this classic Roman recipe of tomatoes stuffed with arborio rice and baked over a bed of potatoes (photo above). The tomatoes were luscious and savory, but I'd make this dish all over again just for the tomato-juice-soaked roasted potato wedges. The recipe is from Rachel Roddy as interpreted by Emiko Davies, two brilliant lights of modern Italian home cooking. You can find it here.
–Jam + pastry, what's not to love? Currently, right now – AS I TYPE – I have butter softening on the counter to make a simple jam crostata (tart), which my pal Elizabeth Minchilli says is the perfect pie to make if you're scared of pies (I am) because you just press the dough into the pan. Last week, Melissa Clark's recipe in the New York Times gave instructions for homemade jam, but if you prefer the snap version, Elizabeth's recipe is here. (That's the one I'm making!)
–I don't love summer squash but I do like it raw. I'm intrigued by this summer salad of raw zucchini tossed with capers, pecorino cheese, basil, and almonds.
–But my next cooking project is this gaspacho. Have you made it yet?
What I've been reading
–If you're visiting Paris this month and not sure where to eat, Paris by Mouth has you covered with this handy list: What's open in August?
–I was thrilled Instantly French was included in Chowhound's roundup of the best Instant Pot cookbooks.
–Longing to visit Paris... but feeling intimidated by the city? My friend Anne Ditmeyer, author of the blog Prêt à Voyager, has created the perfect tutorial. Navigate Paris Online is an accessible web class offering insider tips and info on visiting the City of Light – learn how to ride the métro, order in a restaurant, discover cool cultural stuff to see, and more. It's filled with resources and updated regularly – and subscribers have a lifetime membership. For more from Anne, check out her top ten tips for food lovers in Paris on David Lebovitz's blog.
–If you follow me on Instagram, you know I was in London recently. What you may not know – and it's a little embarrassing to admit – is that I secretly love the royal family. Yes, I visited Kensington Palace and yes I bought a Archie Harrison Mountbatten Windsor commemorative tea towel from the gift shop (they ship internationally, the sales clerk made sure to tell me). If you are also into the BRF (British Royal Family to the rest of you) you will love this novel, The Royal We, a fictionalized retelling of Kate and Williams's story that is so fun and gossipy I can hardly tear my eyes away. Please can we have a sequel with Harry and Meghan?
New in paperback
It's almost here! The paperback of The Lost Vintage hits bookstores next Tuesday, August 6. To celebrate, I'm giving away a signed book plate and a Paris metro ticket bookmark for every pre-order. As you might know, the city of Paris is phasing out its emblematic paper tickets by 2021 so the paper tickets will soon be collector's items :) To receive your bookmark and book plate, reply to this email with a copy of your preorder receipt.
In early September, I'm heading to the annual Bookmarks Festival in Winston-Salem, NC for an event with historical fiction authors Sarah Blake (The Guest Book), Martha Hall Kelly (Lost Roses), and Lauren Willig (Summer Country) on Saturday, September 7 from 4:30 to 5:30pm. Details here; I would love to see you!
My writer pals keep writing great books and I'm delighted to help them spread the word. Are you looking for a page-turner for these dog days of summer? Here's what's new in stores this month:
Meet Me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb – Set in the 1950s against the backdrop of Grace Kelly's whirlwind romance and unforgettable wedding to Prince Rainier of Monaco, this is a gripping novel of passion, fate, and second chances.
The Winemaker's Wife by Kristin Harmel – Past and present collide in this World War II historical set in the vineyards of Champagne. (On sale August 13.)
The Hidden Things by Jamie Mason – A hair-raising thriller inspired by the real-life unsolved theft of a 17th-century painting. "Masterfully nuanced crime fiction," says Booklist. (On sale August 13.)
A bientôt
I can't believe the summer is more than halfway over! This month I'll be busy with book research and am also looking forward to a little trip to Brittany. I have everything crossed for good weather (right now there's a solid five days of rain predicted for next week).
Enjoy the August calm – and if you're interested in my travels and/ or want to know how the jam crostata turns out, keep an eye on my Instagram :) See you in September!
XO,
Ann