An article in the French newspaper Le Figaro today on the biggest successes of the summer quotes Laurence Deschamps, the president of the major French retailer Fnac, on the state of book sales. Deschamps says that numbers are up from last year, and two books in particular are breaking records: Toni Morrison’s A Mercy and The Year of Fog (L’annee brouillard, translated by the wonderful Sophie Aslanides).

I happen to be reading A Mercy right now–very slowly, taking in a bit day by day–it’s a beautiful, heartbreaking book, a story told with subtlety and a great respect for the characters.

Meanwhile, a French actress I adore may be playing a key role (not Abby) in the film adaptation of The Year of Fog.