Scroll down to see my belated Top Ten Tuesday list for “Autumn Reads,” but in the meantime here’s a little update about what has been going on in my life lately:
Please forgive me for my very long and unannounced hiatus! I meant to write a post about all of the changes in my life these past couple of months, but I never could seem to find time to pen them all out. For those of you who know me in real life, or if you converse with me regularly, you know that a little over a month ago my husband and I moved back to the U.S.
It had been long-expected for us and for our close friends and family (we bought plane tickets back in May), but we didn’t make any big announcements until shortly before the actual move. The reason I am just now writing on my blog about it is because I’ve been in a conundrum about its future. Obviously, the title An American in France is no longer appropriate, but my ties to France are still very strong considering my husband is French and we do plan on moving back there one day. But this gives me an opportunity to change not only the title of my blog but the theme as well. I’d love to still blog about French things, but I also enjoy blogging about books, so I am brainstorming new title options. For now, I will keep blogging on An American in France, and I will do my best to be more regular about posting (I really do miss blogging and reading all of your blogs as well!). If you are really talented with thinking of blog titles, please share with me your ideas in the comments below! I’d really appreciate any input :)
And now, the fun stuff! (yay for Top Ten lists!)
Top Ten Books I Plan To Read This Autumn
I actually made this list back at the start of autumn, so half of these I have already read, but they fit the category nonetheless.
Before I Go To Sleep by S. J. Watson – I read this novel in early September, actually, but it’s the perfect type of suspense novel to keep you interested this autumn. I was sitting on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading this book, and the end is so creepy it stayed on my mind for a couple of months after I finished it. There’s also a movie version with Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth, and Mark Strong coming out on Halloween of all days! But, as always, read the book first :)
Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares – This summer I went through a Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants phase and read the entire series over the course of a few weeks. I had never read it before, and I had always thought the movies were pretty cheesy, but the series greatly blew my expectations. I loved each of the books, but this last one in particular, which is definitely NOT a young adult book like it’s predecessors, was my absolute favorite. If you’re familiar with the series, and even if you aren’t, this book will break your heart and then stitch it back up just when you think all hope is lost. It’s definitely a somber read, perfect for those grey autumn afternoons.
Landline by Rainbow Rowell – I guess this book would be great to read during any season. It takes place during Christmas, but in California where it always feels like summer. And like Rainbow Rowell’s other novels, it deals with broken people, another autumn-appropriate theme. I read Rowell’s first novel, Attachments, earlier this year and so far it may just be my favorite book I’ve read all year. Landline has her same adult fiction style (which I prefer over her YA style), and you’ll be laughing, crying, and hoping for a happy ending.
A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall – Ok, this is probably more of a summer read, but it takes place during an entire school year so it does have some “Back to School” themes as well. The title of this novel fits perfectly. It’s a love story told through the eyes of 14 other people (including an animal and an inanimate object), and it’s totally swoon worthy. The main characters are awkward and loveable and will have you laughing and gushing as they trip and fall over themselves.
Anna and the French Kiss series by Stephanie Perkins – Another set of books that I would normally save for the summer but which also fit the back to school theme (at least the first one does. I haven’t read the other two yet). I’ve heard so much about these books, and maybe that gave me too high expectations because I didn’t find Anna and the French Kiss as amazing as everyone said it was. So hopefully the next two are more intriguing.
The Here and Now by Ann Brashares – I saw this beautiful book cover all over the bookstores in France this summer and since then I’ve been dying to read it (I’m a stickler for pretty book covers, another reason I loved A Little Something Different). It’s kinda science-fictiony, another type of book I like to read during this season.
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo – This book has been on my TBR list allllll year and I finally started it not too long ago. Most people know how this book goes so all I’m going to say is that I hope I finish reading it before Christmas ;)
The Maze Runner by James Dashner – Another book-to-screen story that I’d like to read before it leaves theaters. I’ve been on the hold-list at my library for about a month now…
There’s my TBR list for this autumn! Have you read any of these books yet? Oh, and if you have any spooky suspenseful book recommendations, please leave a comment for me! I’m looking for good Halloween reads :)
macarons & paperbacks 
No book recommendations, although a couple that YOU have on your list look intriguing!
And, congratulations on the successful move back to the US! I understand any conflicted feelings you have; my husband and I are in the very beginning stages of that journey — that is, I have the info from the embassy, and now we need to decide if/when to start that long process.
But we’re at a completely different stage of life compared to you and your husband. Even though I know our experiences won’t be the same, what has “repatriation” back to the US been like?
Thank you Cindi :) it’s nice to know that there are others who understand how feel about this move. It’s bittersweet in many ways.
Being American, I thought it wouldn’t be a difficult transition. I was only in France for two and a half years. But there are many habits and expectations of mine now that I’ve clearly taken from France. Reconciling them with my American culture has been weird, but I like holding on to this “frenchness.” I think it’s important for us as a mixed-cultural couple :)
I read Les Miserables when I was in France, so it has a special place in my heart!
I feel a little sad that you’ve left France but I’m sure it was the best thing for the two of you. I hope that you’re able to adjust well and carve a niche for yourselves in the U.S.!
Glad to see that you’re back blogging again!
Thanks so much Cleo! It has been a bittersweet transition, but France is still very important to me and I look forward to visiting soon :)
Oh my gosh! I hadn’t realized you guys had come back home! I only moved internationally once (and our move wasn’t quite as permanent as yours) and it was quite an ordeal! You were able to get Solo over here okay? Where are you guys living?
On Tue, Oct 7, 2014 at 4:57 PM, An American in France wrote:
> Maggie @ An American in France posted: ” Scroll down to see my belated > Top Ten Tuesday list for “Autumn Reads,” but in the meantime here’s a > little update about what has been going on in my life lately: Please > forgive me for my very long and unannounced hiatus! I meant to write a post > abo”
Yeah! We moved back about a month and a half ago. Matt got his greencard so we had to either move back or he would have to visit the states 3 times a year. This seemed like the cheaper option ;)
But yeah! I’m sure you understand the hassle of moving internationally! Our move was stressful, but not because of Solo. Everything with him worked out perfectly, which was great! The hard part for us was selling our stuff, especially our car which Matt’s dad was finally able to sell for us last week–HUGE relief for us.
Right now we’re living with my parents in Maryland. We’re still searching for jobs and once we find some we can start looking for our own place. I love my parents but it is NOT easy living with them after being on our own for so long.
Oh gosh…I know how that is. Justin and I have become all too familiar with the moving-in-with-the-parents situation..
Yes, I remember reading your posts after you moved back from China :) I’m very thankful that my parents invited us to stay with them, but any married couple knows how difficult it is to not have your own space. I really miss having a living room I could do whatever in or a kitchen I could organize how I’d like to. But this isn’t permanent. Eventually we will both find jobs and then our own place; the hard part is just waiting for that day to come.