Mona's Eyes by Thomas Schlesser

I am planning a trip to Paris in September to celebrate my husband's 60th birthday. I have been to Paris before, and he has been to Paris before. However, we have never been to Paris together. At first, planning a trip to the City of Light seems overwhelming. How can we possibly do, see, and eat everything the city has to offer in only five nights? And then, I read this book and gained a new perspective on the trip. The point of going to Paris is not to do everything, because that is impossible. The point is to immerse yourself in the richness of the city one bistro, one cobbled stone street, and one museum at a time. "Mona's Eyes" by Thomas Schlesser is a tribute to the history of the art that Paris has to offer. Ten-year-old Mona is taken to the doctor by her mother because she is losing her eyesight. Her doctor does not see a medical reason for this to be happening. While he continues to do tests, he recommends Mona see a local psychiatrist for emotional support. Her grandfather offers to take her to the psychiatrist, but then he commandeers the plan. Instead of the psychiatrist, he takes her to see 52 works of art in Paris museums over the course of one year. Every Wednesday he picks her up from school and takes her to see a new work of art. The more art they see and discuss, the closer the two become. Under the guidance of her grandfather, Mona learns about art but also about life, love, loss, disappointment, and enchantment. "Mona's Eyes" is a tribute to the bond between a grandfather and his granddaughter as well as a colorful map of the many beautiful paintings housed within the walls of Paris. To buy this book on Amazon click here.