We'll Always Have Paris: A Mother/Daughter Memoir

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Description

It's the reason she doesn't bother fixing her rotting bathroom floor, or her outdated kitchen, putting the money in a vacation kitty instead. It's the reason she drops everything each summer to travel with her daughter Katie. Their travels began in Paris when Katie was 8, and will conclude in Paris in 2013, when Katie is 16, after they have worked their way through more than a dozen European cities in 3 and 4 week trips (including Paris, London, Rome, Salerno, Florence, Venice, Madrid, Seville, Granada, Barcelona, and Amsterdam). Whether they are sleeping at Shakespeare and Company booksellers in Paris, singing Korean folk songs at the Alhambra, playing charades with the locals in Pompeii, or visiting the Salvador Dali Triangle in Spain, this is the story of how one mother let go of the fear of death -- and how her daughter taught her to enjoy life.

Reviews

"I'm profoundly in love with Jennifer Coburn's memoir We'll Always Have Paris! From Coburn's picture-perfect travelogue to her hilarious observations, she's woven together a powerful narrative with a heartfelt and thoughtful examination of what truly makes a family. I was enthralled from the very first page and I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I want to read this again, tell all my friends about it... and then renew my passport." - Jen Lancaster, NYT bestselling author of Bitter is the New Black, The Tao of Martha, and Here I Go Again
"This book touched me in a profound way. I lost my beloved father a short time ago and I have been ruminating about all the trips we never took together. Before my sisters and I were born, he traveled the world and regaled us with tales all through our childhood. We planned to see many of those same places together, but fate intervened in the form of marriage and a child of my own. In the end I can say that I am grateful that we shared so much time together and that his stories will always live on in me. Thank you Jennifer." - Cayocosta72
"We'll Always Have Paris reads like a sweet stroll through Europe with a funny friend who shares touching stories of her parent-child relationships. A great escape." - Janice MacLeod, author of Paris Letters
"We'll Always Have Paris is simply brimming with joie de vivre! From the very moment I embarked on Jennifer Coburn's delicious Paris memoir, I wanted to travel back in time to when my own daughter was eight years old, take her by the hand, and bring her to Paris for the adventure of a lifetime. Well, until I have a granddaughter, I have the next best thing--Jennifer Coburn's gorgeous story of love, family and the ties that bind. I am recommending this to all my friends and family and especially to my own daughter. It's simply fantastique!" - Jamie Cat Callan, author of Ooh La La! French Women's Secrets to Feeling Beautiful Every Day
"Jennifer Coburn's We'll Always Have Paris takes us on two journeys. One is a trs entertaining mother/daughter travel tale in which Coburn brings their evolving relationship, and Europe, to life with such vibrance, humor and insight, it made us want to pack our bags and hit the road again tomorrow. She also takes us on an internal journey chronicling her deep love and longing for the adored hippie/musician father she lost to cancer as a teen. In passages powerful, tender and funny - often in one sentence - Coburn proves as adept at describing the terrain of the human heart as she does the gardens of Alcazar or the streets of Paris." - Claire and Mia Fontaine, authors of the bestselling Comeback and Have Mother, Will Travel
"We'll Always Have Paris: A Mother/Daughter Adventure is a funny, honest, sometimes kooky memoir by San Diegan Jennifer Coburn...to read the book is to experience Europe anew, and relive all the wonder that travel brings." - San Diego Magazine
"Jennifer's narration of their adventures is laugh-out-loud funny, warm and touching-I thought of Nora Ephron and Anna Quindlen." - Presidio Sentinel
"This poignant and very funny memoir chronicles their summers in cities like Paris, London, Barcelona and Amsterdam, where they overcome fears and challenges, journey off the beaten path and make mother-daughter memories that will last a lifetime however long or short that may be." - Midlife at the Oasis
"What made the book especially riveting, though, is how Coburn interweaves the tales of their travels with memories of her late father. She deftly ties in themes from their experiences to memories from her childhood, and I marveled at how skilfully she wove together the joyful and the difficult strands of her past. I shut the book and began dreaming about where I'd love to take my kids." - 4 Mothers 1 Blog
"Anyone can keep a travel journal but it takes a special talent for crafting an engaging travel story worthy of inviting others on the journey. We'll Always Have Paris: A Mother/Daughter Memoir by Jennifer Coburn is not a flowery travel memoir about eating croissants, sipping coffee in Parisian cafes, and wearing matching berets in Paris. It's a lesson in living life and well worth the read." - Solo Travel Girl
"Jennifer's adept and insightful descriptions of their surroundings made me feel that I was right beside them during their adventures. I felt her fears, her joy, and was reminded that some of the smallest moments can be the most profound. I laughed, I cried, and I dreamt of making more lasting memories with my own children. " - Simple Smart Sane Mom
"I really enjoyed reading about Jennifer's honest account about her travels in Europe...Jennifer brings the reader from the modern day back to the past by interjecting the daily struggles she had on holiday with memories that she has of her dad" - Dominique's Desk
"I laughed. I cried. I fell in love and dreamt of traveling Europe. No, I didn't go anywhere besides my couch. I was reading Jennifer Coburn's newest novel, We'll Always Have Paris: A Mother/Daughter Memoir." - Aprons, Trainers and Bibs
"Thank you Jennifer Coburn for opening up my eyes, giving me some things to put on my bucket list...and for allowing me to laugh and share in your experiences with Katie. It was one hell of a trip. " - Book Reads and Reviews
"As a memoir, Jennifer Coburn's book works beautifully not maudlin, no mere recitation of places and faces this is 391 pages of thoughtful travel." - My French Life
"Whether you have an undying need to see all of Europe, are a mother longing to recreate treasured memories with your kids, or just love Jennifer Coburn as much as we do, this book is a must read. With summer creeping slowly in, this is the perfect time to grab a copy, read it tonight and start planning your own epic trip...his book will sing to your soul." - Chick Lit and Wine
"We'll Always Have Paris is a thoroughly enjoyable read for both those who love travel and those who enjoy a good mother/daughter story. Be forewarned though that before you have closed the book on the final page, you will be planning a European adventure of your own." - Gone With the Family
"It's very much like listening to your best friend tell you her tale of her bad vacation!...This is a wonderful Spring read and it will definitely get you off to the computer and starting to plan a trip!" - Bless Their Hearts Mom
"Anyone who has lost a parent will relate to Jennifer's years-long process of coming to terms with it and perhaps her trips with her daughter will inspire those who would love to do the same. " - 5 Minutes for Mom
"We'll Always Have Paris does a good job of exploring how one woman deals with the death of her parent and the trauma associated with it, as well it does an excellent job of illustrating the magic of traveling together as a family and how it can strengthen bonds and bring parents closer to their children." - Words of Mystery
"If you are looking forward to traveling with your daughter, the book is a great point of reference, about enjoying the NOW while traveling, and not being too regimented!...This is a wonderful Spring read and it will definitely get you off to the computer and starting to plan a trip!" - Bless Their Hearts Mom

Author Bio

JENNIFER COBURN is the author of 4 contemporary women's fiction novels and has contributed to four literary anthologies, one a USA Today best-seller. She is a tireless marketer and promoter of her books, and director of Communications and Marketing at Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest.