I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself: One Woman’s Pursuit of Pleasure in Paris by Glynnis MacNicol

After New York City emptied out in March 2020, Glynnis MacNicols, unmarried, childfree and isolated, spent 16 months in her tiny apartment, craving adventure. When travel became possible again, the opportunity to sublet a friend’s apartment in Paris felt less like a risk and more like a necessity. This is where her bold memoir I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself  begins.  

In Paris, Glynnis reconnects with friends and rediscovers pleasure - food and romance included! She fills her days with picnics, midnight bike rides through the streets, afternoons wandering the nearly empty Louvre, and swims off a sun-drenched French island. Her story is unapologetically sensual including copious gooey cheeses, fine wine and a series of flings with younger men she meets through a dating app. When asked what brought her to Paris, her answer: “I’m mostly here to enjoy myself” is her declaration that sets the tone for the entire memoir.

At its core, I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself is a vibrant reflection on independence, ageing and reclaiming pleasure. Glynnis’ candid voice is relatable and inspiring as she rejects the societal pressures that tie a woman’s value to youth or conventional roles. “When you’re a woman of a certain age, you are only promised that everything will get worse. But what if everything you’ve been told is a lie?” she says.

As she explores Paris, Glynnis draws inspiration from the city’s legacy of trailblazing women, icons who also defied convention and created their own destinies. Their stories, woven into her narrative, serve as a muse and guide her empowering journey with a sense of solidarity. By blending her personal story with historical elements, Glynnis invites readers to see Paris and themselves from a fresh perspective. More than a travelogue or a collection of personal anecdotes, this memoir celebrates life and autonomy.

Glynnis MacNicol is an award winning writer who lives in New York City.

Follow Glynnis online.

Reviewer: Andrea Molloy

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