The Best Things About Paris!

Or so author, Ishi Robinson, of Sweetness in the Skin thinks. Fully submerge yourself in the book reading process from this month's book club pick by understanding the inspiration of the story's setting. 

Inspired by the South of France-centered ambitions of the protagonist of the novel Sweetness in the Skin, we asked the book’s author, Ishi Robinson, to share her favorite things about France. Read on for what she shared, and then check out our full guide to the novel on Page & Pairing, including an excerpt, discussion questions, pairings, and more from the author.

Sweetness in the Skin

by Ishi Robinson

“The first time I had a croissant in Paris, it blew my mind. I’d had croissants in other places, and they were as dry and dusty as the road beneath the Eiffel Tower, so I didn’t understand the appeal. Until I popped a piece of the real deal in my mouth. The pastry was so soft, so buttery, it literally melted in my mouth. ‘OH!’ I exclaimed, my eyes popping wide open. ‘Ooooooh,’ I sighed, my eyes squeezing tightly shut. This is what it’s supposed to taste like, I thought. Then I thought: this must have a pound of butter in it. And then I thought: I do not care.

“I never thought there would ever be a day when I’d had enough of visiting Paris. Paris! The city of lights! But I’d visited so often, it had lost its shine. So when my husband and I planned a road trip from Berlin, we decided to explore the South of France – because France is more than just Paris, right? The minute we drove into Aix-en-Provence, I lost my breath. The architecture! The quaint streets! The riot of colors in the buildings and flowers, and that square, where everyone gathers for cocktails on the streets! We loved it so much that after we moved on … we doubled right back and stayed there again.

“I don’t eat much poultry nowadays, but back in my frequent travels to Paris I found duck confit pretty irresistible. Slow cooked for so long that you barely needed a fork to pull that soft, tender meat from the bone, buttery and flavorful and melt in your mouth. YUM! It was a highlight of my culinary journey through Paris, and my mouth waters now just thinking about it again!”