Party for Petite

I’ve mentioned before, one of the books I’m really excited about this season is Catherine Sanderson’s Petite Anglaise, which I devoured in manuscript form in two sittings. Catherine Sanderson’s voice in her book is just as engaging as the persona of her hugely popular blog, also titled Petite Anglaise. She’s charming and intriguing; she’s also honest and vulnerable.

The book goes on sale in Canada on June 17. I’m not allowed to review it until then, but here’s a description, to whet your appetite:

A long-suffering Francophile, Catherine Sanderson spent years pining for the romance and allure of France from her dull surroundings across the Channel. Finally, she lands a job in Paris (albeit at a satellite office of a British accounting firm), a handsome Frenchman (who is increasingly preoccupied and less available), and a charming apartment with sweeping views of the city skyline. Soon after, she gives birth to a baby girl and the dream seems complete. But the triple whammy of motherhood, stale romance, and the daily grind begins to sour Catherine’s Parisian fantasy.

One slow day at work, she reads an article about starting a blog and–voilà–Petite Anglaise is born. Initially, the virtual Catherine muses about expat life and the adventures of raising a bilingual toddler, but before long the blog evolves into a raw forum to air her most intimate desires. Petite becomes a powerful alter ego and the blog a haven for her to think out loud, miles away from the real world and its consequences. But when the real world and the virtual one collide, sending Catherine into a tailspin, she must reconcile her life and her creation.

Fizzing with the candor, wit, and panache that have drawn millions to her blog and attracted the attention of publishers around the world, Petite Anglaise offers a decidedly fresh twist on the classic story of reinvention abroad: how a young woman transforms herself wielding the power of a mouse.

As a blogger, Catherine’s story is fascinating to me, and I want to share it with my fellow bloggers. To celebrate the launch of the book we’re having a brunch for bloggers, on June 6, at a downtown French restaurant. Save the date!

Not a blogger? Want to come and meet some of your favourite Toronto mommy bloggers? The first three folks to email metro[underscore]mama[at]hotmail[dot]com will win an invitation to the event, as well as an advance reading copy of Petite Anglaise. Catherine will be joining us live from Paris via webcam to say hello and answer our questions. And I have to mention, this brunch is taking place the day before her wedding--how’s that for dedication!

Now go, get emailing, and we can talk about the book some more over some croissants in about a month’s time. À Bientôt!