Books Du Jour

- Season 2

(2015)

Host, Frederic Colier, introduces the first episode of the second season of Books Du Jour. Whether deciphering an old parchment in some remote library or questioning the global culling of private data, authors always start with some treasure trove of information. Our first guests do not fall too far from the tree: Pamela Fiori, "In the Spirit of Monte Carlo," a colorful biography of Monaco, which depicts how a sun-baked desolate piece of rock clinging between France and Italy managed to become the must-place to live for the ultra riches. Pamela's story focuses on ...

This week panel consists of women authors. Whether we call them Authors or Authoresses, these writers (or shall we say writeresses?), have strong feminine voices, even though they all write fiction. Their characters may span a wide range of lives, from the evil-eyed memoir to the floundering of a movie star, but ultimately must face the tough choices to chase a long coveted dream too long in coming.

Poetry should have disappeared after Auschwitz but our guests prove that writing is as creative as ever: Marc Levy, Paul Muldoon, Chris Pavone. Even though Adorno claimed that writing poetry after Auschwitz was impossible, poetry has persisted and flourished. The vitality of our three guests proves that writing more than ever is an integral part of life to share our experiences. Writing in different style and tone, their books convey the compelling energy of creativity and the much needed momentum for endless discoveries and growth.

Whether based on a real event or on spur of the moment, crime stories never cease to fascinate audiences around the world. All of them boil down to a handful of simple premises: how is the criminal going to get caught? Who did it? We, the readers, cruise to the pages to find out. The three books this week do not escape this cardinal rule.

From time immemorial, mankind has feared the power of a boundless universe, sky falling, icy floods, and even the self-inflicted emotional wounds, triggering its wheel of fortune. Mankind's main pursue consists in making meaning, finding explanations and creating stories, which both sooth fears and serve as moral compasses.

The dustbins of history are filled with conflicts born out of blaming others for one's misfortunes: David Margolick, Jon Ronson, Jane Green. Whether through scapegoats or martyrs, the dustbins of history are filled with conflicts born out of blaming others for one's misfortunes. The history of Others is also the history of acceptance and differences. Why are we so determined to exclude those who do not resemble us? Punish moral dissents? Or turn a blind eye on those who fall prey to society's ever increasingly disregard?

We often celebrate the "Grand Narratives." What about the "little narratives"? The lives of those billions of people? Textbooks only outline the key players of our socio-historical conflicts to better elevate their status and mythologize them within our ideological assumptions. This is what we called the "Grand Narratives." But what about the "little narratives"? The lives of those millions of people whose life contributions made the "Grand Narratives" possible? This week books look into personal accounts

Do the events shape our life stories? Or do the stories we tell ourselves affect our lives? Find out with Shari Goldhagen, Alan Hruska, Amanda Vaill. In this week episode, we look at the impact of reality on our writing. Do the events in our life shape our stories? Or do the stories we tell ourselves affect our lives? But these questions do not always apply. This week authors come diverse background, from power lawyer to cabaret actor, and one would be but surprised at the type of stories they generated.

We are what we eat. But what about if you don't like the diet you eat? What would you become? Greg O'Brien, Charlotte Markey, Jena La Flamme. If there is enough food for three, chances are there is enough food for four. We gather at a table every week, and yet we still have not had a discussion about health and food. This week, we are talking about health, physical and emotional health, and how food impact our general well-being.

The journey from the heavens to our heart can happen in the blink of an eye, provided there is no legal battle. Charles Spencer, Mary Pilon, Roger Cohen. The journey from the heavens to our heart happens in the blink of an eye. But from the heart to the Heavens is a different story. A legal battle may stand in the way. Today, we look in the downfall of a king accountable only to the Gods above; the wandering Jews in search of a promised land and only facing rejection, and finally the legal battle for a board game in the wake of the financial crisis and its pernicious ...

The ears don't lie. They know when something sounds phony. But what about authors writing about music? Rick Moody, Julia Titus, Mary Morris. This week episode takes a look at the crossroad of music and literature, in all their forms: rhyme, rhythm, lyricism, repetitions, and of course the theme of music itself, not only in the lives of the characters depicted but also in the authors'.

Nothing is ever the same after the first time. Find out how these authors did it for the first time: Susan Strecker, Helen Wan, John Benditt. "The first time they did it" is about first timers. Regardless how old they are and where they come from, how and when they did it is a topic they do not shy away from. As a matter of fact, they are quite loquacious discussing the topic, exposing their weaknesses and frustration and the moment of bliss round the corner waiting to greet them. But before "graduating," they shared similar painstaking journeys of perseverance and ...