Book Bloggers Abroad (7) – France

Welcome to the weekly guest post in the Book Bloggers Abroad series. Every week a book blogger from a different country will be featured who will talk about what it’s like to be a book blogger where he or she lives.

France

Our guest blogger for today is Charlotte from France. Her book blog is called The Book on the Hill. She reads and reviews mainly YA books, some middle grade books, and from time to time adult chick lit. Each review is illustrated by a book sketch! So, go and have a look and discover some new books!

Interview with Charlotte

Please tell us a little about yourself.
I’m Charlotte, a 25 year old girl living in France. I’m an actress, singer, musician, playwright and stage director, and have my own theatre company. I’m also a reader for a French publishing house. My job is to read English-written books and to submit a full summary and review. Depending on my reviews, they decide if they want to buy the rights of the book, and if they do it is translated and published in France.

I’ve lived in Paris with my boyfriend for 5 years, but we recently moved to a small village in Charente-Maritime. We went from living in a tiny flat in a huge city to a huge house in a tiny village! I grew up in the countryside, so it feels great to be back in a calmer place where I can hear the birds singing instead of being attacked by the crazy Parisian pigeons. 🙂

My cosy reading corner in our new house

Where do you get your books from? Can you get the books you want to read?
Everywhere! I buy them online, at independent bookshops, at bigger bookstores. It depends on my mood, the price and the place I’m in. Foreign books are quite easy to find in France, it’s just that they’re more expensive in international bookshops or sections than they are online.

What are your circumstances? Can you read and blog a lot?
As a professional reader, I read A LOT! I don’t have much time to read books for myself, but I always try to have one on the side. Since I’m an actress, my working time is irregular. It goes from completely empty periods to insane hours of work. I’m also often on tour. So sometimes I have a lot of time to blog, and other times I’m way too busy and I can’t manage.

Snowball fighting in Paris

Where do you read?
Anywhere I am at the time! In bed, in the garden, in the train, in the living room… As long as I’m comfortable, any place is good to read.

What language(s) do you read in?
I’m not proud to say it, but I almost never read in French… I used to when I was younger, but when I started reading in English I just couldn’t stop. I usually only read in French when it comes to theatre and poetry.

The wonderful view from the Overhanging Gardens of Marqueyssac, where I’ll be performing all summer

Please suggest one national author that you love and recommend a book.
I recommend The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, which is a classic here and totally deserves its success around the world!

Tell us why you are blogging in English. Why did you “go international”?
I come from a multicultural family, I therefore have three nationalities (French, English and Canadian). I was born and grew up in France, so French is my first language. But I’ve always felt closer to the English language and culture. Blogging in English was an obvious choice for me. And I plan to go and live abroad one day. I feel more like an ‘international’ girl than a French one!

Click on the world for a Google Maps picture!

Thanks, Charlotte for letting us have a look at your life as a reader and blogger. You have a very busy, but very interesting life! I wonder what the outside of your house looks like, is it quite an old house?

Don’t forget to take a look at Charlotte’s blog. If you have any questions or comments for Charlotte, just leave them in the comments section.

Next week Mari from the USA will be visiting us for the eigth Book Bloggers Abroad guest post. Don’t miss it!