Joie: A Parisian's Guide to Celebrating the Good Life

by Ajiri Aki

Embrace the joy of Paris wherever you live with American expat Ajiri Aki, founder of the French lifestyle brand Madame de la Maison.

“More than being a terrific guide to the city, it’s a thoroughly comprehensive guide to better living.”—Chioma Nnadi, editor of Vogue online

The French are known for their joie de vivre—celebrating the simple things—a philosophy that tastemaker Ajiri Aki embraced all of her American life. As a child, she frequently tried to convince her Nigerian-Jamaican mother to pull out the fine china for everyday meals or when hosting friends. Her mother always said she was waiting for a special occasion, which sadly never came before she passed away when Ajiri was only twelve. Ajiri promised herself she would never hesitate to use her treasured pieces. When she moved to Paris, France, as an adult, she learned how central that idea is to French life, and she also began to absorb other essential lessons from her new treat yourself to fresh flowers just because, take time to source the best baguette, and perhaps most importantly, enjoy être—just being.

In this beautifully photographed volume of everything French, Ajiri shares what she’s learned about living in Paris—from hosting the perfect apéro (happy hour) to lingering around town like a flâneur (loafer) to thrifting for antiques at the market. While exploring the prettiest cafes and shops, you’ll be inspired to reclaim your right to leisure as the French have, so you, too, can savor the spontaneous, joyful moments that happen every day.

Genres: Nonfiction, France, Travel, Self Help, Lifestyle, Summer, Memoir

272 pages, Hardcover

Published April 18, 2023

Reviews

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joie is part travel guide, part lifestyle guide, and completely beautiful. While there are no recipes, per se, there are food guides such as, "How to Spot a Bona Fide Baguette," "Apéro Cheat Sheet," ideas for french meals, and general tips for elevating your life and how to care for the items that make it special (linen, silver, etc), making your everyday special that the French somehow just know how to do. We also get a brief background and stories from Aki's own life. And the photography is stunning! I love this book and imagine I will be flipping through it often.

I was given a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; I have also purchased my own copy.

[Mai H.]

Memoir March TBR

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Clarkson Potter

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my all time favourite book. I wish it had been around 20 years ago. Everyone, workaholic or not, should read this.

[blueisthenewpink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely, it was a real joie to read about the French way of life, how they take their time off, meaningful connections, and personal boundaries very seriously. How they look for and appreciate beauty, joy and pleasure in everything. A wonderful healthy work-life balance to aspire to. I have been in love with Paris for years (decades, actually), but it's been enough adoring this place from afar, now I'm packing my suitcases, France sounds like the perfect country to live in.

[Julia Shelburne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps the best coffee table book I’ve ever read. Hopefully will serve as a future travel guide as well. Highly recommend!

[Andi]

Such a lovely coffee table book with escapist essays that are a joy to read. The perfect gift for the Francophile on your list!

[Lisastrawberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

delightful! A pure joie to read and enjoy the finer things in life-- slowing down, good food, fashion that suits you, real self care, etc.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since having lived in the South of France for almost 7 years, I always enjoy reading about other expats’ experiences!

This book explores the French Joie De Vivre, (joy of living) through the eyes of Ajiri Aki. She experienced Paris in college and grad school before moving there with her Swiss husband. She has lived in Paris for over a decade with her husband and two kids.

The French find joy in the simplicity of food and everyday life. This author writes her experiences of what she observed and how she found her Joie de Vivre. She gives tips on entertaining, how to loaf in Paris, how to pick out a baguette, where to shop in Paris, and tips on self-care, etc. Just a fun guide on Paris and how to find your own Joie de Vivre!

[Julie Sparks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting ready for Paris! What an inspiration.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book about Paris, living like a Parisian, and embracing the slower pace of life that so few of us do. With lovely pictures, and anecdotes of Paris and French life, as well as tidbits about hidden places, this was a breath of fresh air to read.

Thank you Netgalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press, for the ARC!

[Mrs.Bee.17 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A treat for the eyes! Love the beautiful photography and, as with any design/lifestyle book, the tips are best to pick and choose as they work for you. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel on French lifestyle books, but it is a nice addition to the conversation. The gorgeous full-size color photos were my favorite part.

[Rhonda Lomazow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read lovely look at Paris at a wonderful joyous style of living.I enjoyed this charming tour of Paris from first to last place.#netgalley #joie

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful photos and wistful glimpses of Parisian life. Written from a point of dramatic economic privilege that grated at times.

[Rhea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read most of this coffee book while waiting for a friend at aritzia. I enjoyed the pictures and the maxims throughout, although some of the longer form sections were repetitive. I agree that we should be striving to live the good life, by savoring every day moments with intention. However, I fundamentally think the good life and experiencing joy is independent of materialism (or perhaps similar to maslows hierarchy of needs where once basic needs are met, the good life is achievable). So I’m unsure if everyone can just spend days wandering aimlessly, or if this is even necessary for the good life, as this book suggests. Kind of gives similar vibes to romanticization of gap year traveling to find yourself.

[Meagan | The Chapter House · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

This was an inspiring read! (I now want to bust out the good china, hehe!) A wonderful combination of lifestyle, fashion, travel, shopping, interior/home design, home entertaining, and more--right up my alley. My interests are varied enough that I struggle sometimes with reading books that are too niched; this was perfect in that it covered a lot, and spent just the right amount of time on each.

Paris and some of the surrounding areas have moved up on my want-to-visit list, lol! In the meantime, I'll be checking out Aki's website to tide me over.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Joie" stands out as a remarkably insightful exploration of French culture, penned by an American author who brings a unique perspective to the subject.

The book is not only informative but also a treasure trove of practical tips on embracing the 'joie de vivre.'

What makes this book especially engaging is the author's journey of discovering and integrating into French culture, offering insights that only someone who hasn't grown up in France could provide.

"Joie" is a highly recommended read for anyone interested in French culture, whether they're planning a trip to France or simply looking to incorporate elements of French living into their daily life.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I misunderstood the premise of this book. I thought it was about embracing the French "joie de vivre" wherever you live, but the book is about 20% practical tips, 80% Parisian shopping guide. I skipped over pages and pages of listings for cafes and shops and parks. I'm sure it would be fabulous if you're about to head on a trip (or if you have the pleasure of already living there - in which case you probably already know where to go), but it's not even really a good aspirational read. A few basic points about using the good stuff and taking care of yourself through simple pleasures - slowing down, looking around... the basics.

[Ensley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that’s as beautiful on the inside as it is out! Not only will this be beautiful to display (especially as the cover is my absolute favorite French blue), but it was beautiful to read as well. I’d been feeling rather stuck recently and found so much inspiration in this book. It motivated me to sign up for a local CSA for some produce with flavor and add on a weekly flower bouquet to add some “joie” to my life. I found a beautiful olive wood cutting board on clearance and bought it for future “aperos” I hope to have with neighbors and friends. Know that if you are drawn to this book because of the beautiful cover you won’t be disappointed!

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

J'ai adore!! I lingered, savored, and took many extra weeks past my library due date (with renewals) to soak in this lovely book.🩷 Reading this a few months after my first visit to Paris has been so rewarding. It's given me a deeper understanding of French life and deepened my desire to incorporate the simplicity of life that not only reveals joy, but allows it to be lifted up, expressed, and lived in daily life (even in Thornton, CO).😉
Thank you, Ajiri! Maybe we'll run into eachother in a brocante the next time I visit Paris. That would bring me Joie!

[Sarai Mitnick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful escape, and lighthearted reminder to enjoy life at every opportunity. One thing I love about travel is the way it opens your eyes to all the different cultural perspectives and values that exist. You realize that your own approach to life is heavily embedded in the norms you grew up in.

Though I haven’t been to Paris in over a decade, this book reminded me of what I can learn from French culture. And it definitely made me want to go again!

In the meantime, I’ll heed Ajiri’s advice and wear my fancy dresses and eat from the good china at home.

[Alisha]

Borrowing Glynnis MacNicols words -"I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself: One Woman's Pursuit of Pleasure in Paris - " a priviledged point of view I'm delighted to learn about from American expat Ajiri Aki, founder of the French lifestyle brand Madame de la Maison. Ms. Aki thank you for sharing your journey from Francophile, to expat to life style brand founder and author. I've ordered the book today so I can glean some tips for my next visit. Thank you!

[pepper]

dnf at 67%
meh, not in the mood to finish this one... at least not now anyway.
some interesting bits, especially the part about the French valuing work/life balance & making lunch breaks a huge priority, but i did just want to skim much of the other content- probably because i've never been/have no plans to go to paris any time soon

[Kelly Niehaus · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring exploration of the French philosophy of joie de vivre—finding joy in everyday life. Through personal anecdotes, cultural insights, and practical advice, Aki invites readers to embrace simple pleasures, slow down, and truly savor the moments that matter.

A must-read for anyone looking to cultivate more beauty, gratitude, and intention in their daily life.

[Emma Qualls · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book! I loved learning about the French culture and Ajiri’s lessons on slowing down, quality, gathering, beauty, and self-care have totally inspired me. I’ve incorporated quite a few of the things she talked about into my own life and am so glad I stumbled upon this book!

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books has me wanting to walk a mile in Aki’s shoes to find the Joie in everyday life. I purchased the hard back book after borrowing the e-book, so I can visit her French world anytime I need a small escape or reminder how to live a good life.

[Halli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ajiri has written a masterpiece. Rather than being told by a Parisian, Ajiri is born and raised American. She understands the country subliminal message put there by the Puritans. UGH. Thank you for this lovely book that I'll be thrilled to go back and reference.

[Rachel Letham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous trip into French lifestyle. Delightful to read about different traditions, ways of life and many top tips to absorb. Beautiful photography, easy to pick up read a little and return at a later date

[Alecia Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspirational transport to Paris. Some of the info would only be useful on an actual visit but the majority was beautiful imagery and helping you develop your own essence of joie wherever you may be.

[PICHA · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a lovely book that allows you to Travel to France through beautifully curated images and a beautiful narrative that inspires you to embrace everyday elegance, joy, and the art of slow living with a Parisian touch.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book looks like it’s intended to be a coffee table book, it is a genuinely pleasurable book to read from cover to cover. Its function and beauty are equally matched! Great advice for Americans who want to savor the simple pleasures of life.