- 49 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Reichl
Ruth Reichl
Saratoga Book Festival presents The Paris Novel: A Conversation with Ruth Reichl
Sunday, October 5, 2025 – 11:00 am
Universal Preservation Hall, 25 Washington St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Saratoga Book Festival is thrilled to present a conversation with bestselling author and culinary luminary Ruth Reichl and Tiina Loite, Fashion Editor of Saratoga Living magazine and former photo editor of the New York Times. The two will discuss Reich’s multi-faceted writing career and her latest book, The Paris Novel.
Recipient of the prestigious James Beard Foundation’s LIfetime Achievement Award in 2024, Reichl has been honored with six other James Beard awards in recognition of her storied career as a chef, food writer, restaurant critic, and author of many culinary-themed books, including Delicious and The Paris Novel, and the memoir Save Me the Plums. The interview with Ruth will be followed by a book signing.
Guests are encouraged to purchase copies of Reichl’s books when they order tickets on the Universal Preservation Hall website HERE. Tickets include French-inspired pastries, provided by the Franklin Square Market, and beverages. A book signing will immediately follow her event.
Photo Credit: Shannon Greer
Books
About The Paris Novel
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A “mouthwatering” (The New York Times) adventure through the food, art, and fashion scenes of 1980s Paris—from the bestselling author of Save Me the Plums and Delicious!
“An enchanting and irresistible feast . . . As with a perfect meal in the world’s most magical city, I never wanted this sublime novel to end.”—Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, author of Good Company
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: Saveur, Food & Wine, Bookreporter, The Charlotte Observer
When her estranged mother dies, the book’s protagonist Stella is left with an unusual inheritance: a one-way plane ticket and a note reading “Go to Paris.” Stella is hardly cut out for adventure; a traumatic childhood has kept her confined to the strict routines of her comfort zone. But when her boss encourages her to take time off, Stella resigns herself to honoring her mother’s last wishes.
Alone in a foreign city, Stella falls into old habits, living cautiously and frugally. Then she stumbles across a vintage store, where she tries on a fabulous Dior dress. The shopkeeper insists that this dress was meant for Stella and for the first time in her life Stella does something impulsive. She buys the dress—and embarks on an adventure.
Her first stop: the iconic brasserie Les Deux Magots, where Stella tastes her first oysters and then meets an octogenarian art collector who decides to take her under his wing. As Jules introduces Stella to a veritable who’s who of the Paris literary, art, and culinary worlds, she begins to understand what it might mean to live a larger life.
As weeks—and many decadent meals—go by, Stella ends up living as a “tumbleweed” at famed bookstore Shakespeare & Company, uncovers a hundred-year-old mystery in a Manet painting, and discovers a passion for food that may be connected to her past. Our food lovers AND romance reviewers both loved how this book is a feast for the senses and a testament to living deliciously, taking chances, and finding your true home.
Product Details
The Paris Novel
By Ruch Reichl
ISBN 9780812986372
Published by Random House Trade Paperbacks, April 22, 2025