The Uncommon Reader is a lovely, 120 page story by Alan Bennett, the author of The Lady in the Van.  Bennett’s novella is a quick, lively read, one that is especially entertaining for all who love both reading and writing.                
     This little gem tells the story of the British Queen, who follows her corgis into a bookmobile parked behind the palace,checks out a book, discovers a new interest in the people who work for her and ultimately learns to enjoy reading for reading’s sake.  The Queen has spent her life neither promoting nor advocating, but merely acknowledging, everything and everyone.  Now she finds that reading what she wants, when she wants, then telling anyone who will listen about her literary experiences, is an all-encompassing passion.  That is, until she decides that reading is a passive pastime, and she,The Queen, is not a passive person. 
     "Wouldn’t writing be a more active form of expression for her?" wonders the Queen.  Would it?  Read The Uncommon Reader to find out!

Christophe Artisan Chocolatier
West Ashley

     Hoorah!  We now have a French Patissier in West Ashley!  Stop by Christophe Artian Chocolatier in the Magnolia Plaza (by Crab Shack) at 1901 Ashley River Rd. for handcrafted chocolates, pastries and coffee.  

     Today's treats were Chocolate-almond Croissants and Sable Viennois.  The croissants were crisp and flaky on the outside and tender on the inside, just the way a true croissant should be.  Dusted with powdered sugar, these croissants were a perfect size to pair with a cup of coffee.  Christophe's coffee is French-pressed, a treat that I have yet to find in the To-Go format in West Ashley, but now am pleased to grab and go from Christophe.  I also tried the small and buttery Sable Viennois cookies, a shortbread dream dipped in dark chocolate.   I relectantly shared it, but could have eaten the entire cookie myself in three bites!     

     I look forward to trying all of Christophe's tempting sweets,  especially their famous macaroons, in all fourteen tempting flavors.  What could be better than a French-pressed coffee and a Lavender macaroon?