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Since this blog is turning into a Paris primer, I'll tell you some cool things that Paris has added since the last time I was here -- and that we don't have in the States.

1) Paris's City Hall runs what it calls the "Vélib'" rental program - anyone has access to thousands of three-speed, unisex bikes at hundreds of stations around the city. You stick your credit card into a slot, pay €1 for a 30 minute ride, and go. (If your trip goes longer, you pay a little more.) Anyone can pick up a bike at any Vélib' station and return it at any other one.

We in America are so turned-off by the government, but this kind of thing is so cool; I can't see any downside. It gets people moving around the city faster, and exercising; it eases traffic; it's cheaper (and more fun) than the subway; and its good for the environment. I wonder if any US cities will start doing this?

2) Paris Plages. (Paris beaches.)

All around the city, man-made sandy beaches are set up, each with a pool, with deckchairs, ice cream stands, with concerts. Because they're a book friendly country, you can also borrow books free of charge, play beach volleyball, etc. The bummer is that it doesn't start until July 20. (This was here the last time I visited, but its on;y been around for about five years, so I thought it was worth mentioning.)

3) This isn't new, but since this is ostensibly a publishing blog, I should mention here that Paris alone has some 1,200 independent bookstores. (I'm not sure how many we have left in the entire US, but the number sounded very impressive to me.)

Of course, the best and most famous is Shakespeare & Co. Here are some photos of me reading at that revered institution. (The store itself was the first publisher of Ulysees, and its first owner lent Hemingway some cash and books in the 20s.

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Darin Strauss, More Than It Hurts You, family, drama, doctor, accident, literary, Penguin Books, books