The French Art of Living Well: Finding Joie de Vivre in the Everyday World    by Cathy Yandell Order:  USA  Can St. Martin's, 2024 (2024) Hardcover, e-Book      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson In The French Art of Living Well: Finding Joie de Vivre in the Everyday World, Cathy Yandell explores and shares her 'discovery and rediscovery' of joie de vivre, by returning often to France - as a student, a mother, and a teacher. Yandell begins decades ago when she sailed steerage from New Mexico to France on a study abroad program. With a first glass of wine, she started drinking in French culture. She shares experiences of a French wedding; a family Christmas dinner; cooking French meals; visiting the world's perfume capital; walking arm in arm; and kissing as a greeting. We learn about thermal baths and their history; excitement over sports and dance; sexuality in the public sphere; French television and humor ('Laughter makes us human.') Having sought out bookshops often in my own travels, I appreciated their mention here, as well as that of many French literary greats - and art everywhere. I agree with Yandell that 'the Musée Rodin is the most magical in all of Paris'. She continues to work on defining Frenchness through the book, and ends by telling us that many of her life discoveries have come from living in France and that 'the French are still inventing new ways of living well.' I encourage you to read this book before traveling there, as well as to bring back joyful memories of past journeys. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Travel books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews