French Books
There are a lot of great books available, but how do you know which ones are
worth buying, and which ones are just commercial fluff? This bookstore is an
attempt to give you an idea of what's out there - these are my favorite books:
the most useful, interesting, and essential that I've found.
Most
of the books below are available from Amazon.com ,
but if you are interested in a
much wider selection of French language books, your best bet is to order from an
online French bookstore, such as
Amazon.fr .
Culture | Fiction | For Kids |
Non-Fiction | Reference | Textbooks
| Audio Books
Culture
Cultural
Atlas of France
by John Ardagh, Colin Jones
An in-depth look at the beautiful history and culture of France. Hardcover
Culture
Shock! France
by Sally A. Taylor
Tips for travelers to France: etiquette, religion, socializing, and much more.
Paperback
Culture
Shock! Paris at Your Door
by Orin Hargraves, Frances Gendlin
Inside info for anyone who wants to live in Paris. Paperback
French
or Foe?
by Polly Platt
The indispensible guide to understanding and dealing with the French. Paperback
French
Way: Aspects of Behavior, Attitudes, & Customs of the French
by Ross Steele
A simple yet thorough explanation of French culture. Paperback
French
Ways and Their Meaning
by Edith Wharton
Originally published in 1919, this book recounts Ms. Wharton's observations of
the French. Paperback
Culture | Fiction | For Kids |
Non-Fiction | Reference | Textbooks
| Audio Books
Fiction
Huis
clos et Les Mouches
by Jean-Paul Sartre
Two classic plays by the great existentialist. Paperback
Madame
Bovary
by Gustave Flaubert
A masterpiece of French literature: the story of a woman who refuses to allow
society to dictate her actions. Paperback
Culture | Fiction | For Kids |
Non-Fiction | Reference | Textbooks
| Audio Books
For Kids
1,000
French Words
by Berlitz Kids Editors
8-12 year olds will love this illustrated book with words in French and English.
Paperback
French
Language Pack
by Berlitz Kids Editors
Everything your kids need to learn French: storybook, illustrated dictionary,
cassette, and flashcards. Paperback
I
Can Sing en français
by Louise Morgan Williams
French songs with English translations. Paperback
Learn
French in the Car
by Helga Schier, Marie-Claire Antoine
Designed for parents to learn with their kids: games, songs, and other
activities for learning about driving vocabulary while driving. Tape
Learn
French in the Kitchen
by Crown Publishing Group Staff
Another program for kids to learn alongside their parents: 16 games and songs
related to food, cooking, and eating, as well as a book and stickers. Tape
The
Missing Cat
by Bertlitz Kids Editors
A fun way to learn French: bilingual storybook, picture dictionary, cassette
with songs and more. Paperback
Le
Petit Prince
by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
A French classic in children's literature; ages 9 to 12. The story of an
ordinary man and an extraordinary boy. Hardcover
Culture | Fiction | For Kids |
Non-Fiction | Reference | Textbooks
| Audio Books
Non-Fiction
France
Without Reservations
by Maurice K. Thompson
A light-hearted book that's half travel guide, half story. The adventures of a
couple traveling through the south of France. Paperback
French
Lessons: A Memoir
by Alice Kaplan
An autobiographical tale of life and language learning. Paperback
How
Proust Can Change Your Life: Not a Novel
by Alain de Botton
A very funny book that discusses the foibles and follies of one of France's
greatest writers. Hardcover
The
Non-Connoisseur's Menu Guide
by David D'Aprix
A great book for anyone planning to eat in France, Spain, or Italy: gastronomic
vocabulary and customs uncovered. Paperback
A
Year in Provence
by Peter Mayle
Written by an Englishman living in Provence, this book offers a warm and
humorous account of life in the south of France. Hardcover
Culture | Fiction | For Kids |
Non-Fiction | Reference | Textbooks
| Audio Books
Reference
Les
Bons Mots: How to Amaze Tout le Monde with Everyday French
by Eugene Ehrlich
A wonderfully funny and useful book. More than 300 pages of essential French
expressions and their English translations. Hardcover
Collins
Robert French Dictionary
by Beryl T. Atkins
The best bilingual French-English and English-French dictionary that I've found.
It has over 300,000 entries and 2,000 pages, with plenty of slang, idiomatic
expressions, and technical vocabulary. Both American English and British English
are used. Hardcover
Conjugaison
dictionnaire de douze mille verbes
by Louis-Michel Becherelle
The definitive guide to conjugating French verbs. This is for more advanced
French speakers, as it is entirely in French. Hardcover
The
Everything French Grammar Book
by Laura K. Lawless
Beginning- to intermediate guide to French grammar, with exercices de
contrôle so that you can practice what you've just learned in each chapter.
The Everything French Phrase Book
by Laura K. Lawless
Pocket guide for French phrases related to travel, meeting people, and other
situations you are likely to encounter in France.
The Everything French Verb Book
by Laura K. Lawless
Quick reference to French verbs, with 250 verb tables and 1,000 similarly
conjugated verbs.
Intermediate French for Dummies
by Laura K. Lawless
French book for intermediate speakers, particularly independent students and
travelers.
Le
Petit Larousse illustré
by Larousse
Illustrated in color, this is an excellent French dictionary. It also has a
foreign phrase section and a good biographical dictionary. Hardcover
Précis
de grammaire française
by Maurice Grevisse
The definitive guide to understanding French grammar. The explanations can be
complicated, but they are certainly thorough. French only. Paperback
Street
French Slang Dictionary & Thesaurus
by David Burke
A thorough guide to French slang, from merely familiar all the way to extremely
vulgar language. Paperback
Culture | Fiction | For Kids |
Non-Fiction | Reference | Textbooks
| Audio Books
Textbooks
Learn
French the Fast and Fun Way
by Elisabeth Leete
A very good textbook for those just beginning to learn French. The color
pictures and humorous dialogues make it fun to study every day. It includes a
tiny dictionary and some flashcards. Paperback and cassette
Manuel
de composition française
by Pierre Limouzy, Jacques Bourgeacq
An advanced composition textbook: learn the subtle differences between related
words, conjunctions, and other grammar points that will help you to write
better. Paperback
Savoir
Dire
by Diane Dansereau
A complete course in French pronunciation and phonetics. If you want to improve
your pronunciation, this is the book to use. French only. Paperback
Culture | Fiction | For Kids |
Non-Fiction | Reference | Textbooks
| Audio Books
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