Discover our selection of “gersois” books as Christmas approaches

Authors from Gers published several papers this year. A youth album, a manifesto, an illustrated travel book… A brief overview of the books you can find in bookstores to put some Gers under the blueberry tree.

“Rather feed yourself”, Noémie Calais

Located in Gers for several years, Noémie Calais posted this “breeder appeal” after establishing his breeding of black pigs and chickens in Montégut. It is one of the titles highlighted on the stand of Les Petits Papiers bookstore (rue Dessoles in Auch). “It is one of the books that we defended the most this year. It is a book that is close to all our current concerns, both about the way we eat and the way we relate to the ecosystem, how space is distributed between small and large farms, explains Pascal Pradon, bookseller. It is a book about the life force that brought her to us and what she draws in terms of experience and lessons for herself, for the future and for others, since it is a book she intended for those who would like to try the same adventure as her. »

A manifesto book that sparks debate at a time when food independence is at the forefront of the political scene. “We see the circles that they built, and Noémie and Cotton Farm, all the collective farms that were established. These are the people who revive the territory”, says Pascal Pradon.

“Simple Pleasures,” Perry

British designer installed in Gers he released his fifth album. His humorous cartoons are the sharp life of the Southwest in warm pastel colors. The back cover bears the initials of rugby player Antoine Dupont: “His drawings accompanied me in my childhood, they are a great way to highlight Bigorre and Magnoac. »

“Gardens and interiors of Gascony”, Charles Bilas and Thomas Bilanges

Historian Charles Bilas and photographer Thomas Bilanges explore Gascony through its gardens and extraordinary architecture. The book is rich in texts and illustrations to reveal the history of housing in the region, without being limited to Gere.

“Gers, the sweetness of life”, Jérôme Poitte

Between tourism and travel, photographer Jérôme Poitte traveled the department to discover Armagnac, Astarac, the land of Auch, Ténazère and Savès Toulouse. “The photos are beautiful,” points out Pascal Pradon from Petits Papiers. Organized by geographical area, this book is a good way to (re)discover the Gers and even learn more about the different terroirs of the department.

“Ma plus belle ombre”, Gaya Wisniewski

In this monochrome children’s album, the Gers artist of Belgian origin narrates the relationship between the main character and a giant rabbit, his “most beautiful shadow”. She collaborated with the Belgian poet Carl Norac.

“Les kakis de Mou-k’i”, Patrick Poumirau

More than twenty years after his first novel, Gersois Patrick Poumirau publishes his fifth book, which tells the story of a former soldier in search of meaning, from the Basque Country to Kurdistan. “We are faced with the problems we encounter in the world today, they will be found in the theaters of war, in the face of terrorism. The author wants to delve into the psychology of this character, with all the difficulties he may have had in his life, Jean-Jacques Decamps, a bookseller in Page à Page (avenue d’Alsace in Auch), describes in detail. This is an excellent novel, one of the best I’ve read this year. »

“The Mystery of Monsieur Ernest”, Régis Messac

Admittedly, this book is not something new… moreover, its author died in deportation in 1945. But this thriller by Régis Messac it was reissued this year. A chance to rediscover this story published in 1928, in which an Austrian professor studies police storytelling while letting the pacifism that made him famous shine through.