
"‘Why not?’ philosophy makes this a breezy, heart-opening read"
"A literary travel diary with a big heart and big questions from Ukraine to France"
"The Black Notebook, or Why Not" by Valeriia Pampukha

Genre: Cross-Cultural Comedy / Travelogue
Original Language: Ukrainian
Year of Publication: 2024
Page count: 167
Format: A5 (145mm × 205mm)
Rights Available: World (English, Spanish, German, etc.)
Meet Lilichka: a young Ukrainian woman with a "why not?" attitude and a black notebook full of dreams. Her journey takes her from a small Ukrainian town to the rolling hills of Angoulême, France, with stops in Switzerland and beyond.
But this is more than just a travelogue. It’s a sparkling, heartfelt "coming-of-life" story that tackles the awkwardness of Tinder dates in foreign languages, the absurdity of life on a French farm, and the constant, funny friction of living among "perpetually dissatisfied" locals. What begins as a personal diary evolves into a rich, tender portrait of a girl finding her voice in the middle of Europe. It’s a celebration of curiosity, cross-cultural mishaps, and the joy of taking a chance on life.
Why It Sells
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The "Emily in Paris" with Soul: Taps into the massive appetite for stories about relocating to France, but adds a fresh, Eastern European perspective that is both witty and deeply relatable.
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Millennial & Gen-Z Appeal: Explores themes of modern dating, remote work, and identity that resonate with a global, digital-nomad generation.
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Feel-Good Resilience: At a time of heavy headlines, this book offers "literary sunshine"—a story of growth and joyful discovery that readers of all ages can escape into.
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Cross-Cultural Comedy: Perfect for international markets, especially in Western Europe, where the humorous observations about local habits will be an instant hit.
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