Slow down and feel the posture of words: CHANEL 7L Bookstore recommends a summer reading list, with four women’s stories that captivate
I’ve decided this is my weekend read! 📖
Summary
- The 7L bookstore, founded by Karl Lagerfeld in 1999, was officially acquired by CHANEL in 2021.
- This summer reading list centers on four legendary women, offering a unique literary journey across centuries and continents.
- The selections range from the writings of 11th‑century Japanese court lady Sei Shōnagon to a poetry collection by American folk singer Joan Baez.
- The list also includes stories by Belgian psychoanalyst Jacqueline Harpman and a biography of war correspondent Lee Miller.
Founded by Karl Lagerfeld in 1999 and acquired by CHANEL in 2021, Paris’s 7L bookstore has officially unveiled its latest summer reading list. The selection focuses on four female creators from different centuries and backgrounds: an 11th-century Japanese court lady, an American folk singer, a Belgian psychoanalyst, and a legendary war correspondent, taking readers on a literary journey across the centuries.
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This summer reading list is not limited to a single field, instead deliberately presenting a variety of styles and voices. These four women come from different eras and continents, yet each has left an indelible voice in the world through words and images. More than a reading list, it is a journey through time that takes readers across the centuries.
From court notes to war biographies: 4 inspiring book picks
This special reading list first takes us back to 11th-century Japan to savor The Pillow Book, in which court lady Sei Shonagon finely observes daily life. The focus then shifts to the powerful poetry collection by American folk singer Joan Baez. Also on the list is a captivating, reality-blurring story by Belgian psychoanalyst Jacqueline Harpman.
Perhaps most moving of all is the biography of the legendary Lee Miller. Once a muse who inspired countless artists, she later picked up a camera and became a fashion photographer, before bravely stepping into the war zone to become a war correspondent. Her son, Antony Penrose, personally wrote this account of her extraordinary life, offering readers a more authentic portrait of her.
Rather than simply recommending new bestsellers, what truly moves readers about this list curated by 7L is how it broadens our idea of female creators. From whispers in an ancient court to the click of a shutter amid war, these vastly different voices intertwine, giving reading a deeper meaning. This weekend, make yourself a cup of coffee and set off on an uninterrupted journey through time and space among these diverse stories.
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