happy french friday – it’s my ultimate book reading list!
Bonjour and happy Friday! On a past blog post I said that I could never have enough books about Paris or the French and that someday I would post a list of all the books I have. No better time than now! This list doesn’t include all of the great books I’ve checked out from the library, then it would be so much longer. I’ve taken a break from reading at the end of summer and my return to work, but I’m excited to get back to it. Happy french Friday – it’s my ultimate book reading list!
cuisine
I would say the largest part of my book collection is books about food and cooking, so I’ll start with that. I’ve already talked about French Cookbooks that I Love, here are some more french, foodie books I have.
The Art of Eating – M.F.K Fisher
Backroad Bistros, Farmhouse Fare – Jane Sigal
Barefoot in Paris – Ina Garten
The Billionaire’s Vinegar – Benjamin Wallace
Clotilde’s Edible Adventures in Paris and Chocolate & Zucchini – both by Clotilde Dusoulier – love her, have followed her blog forever.
The French Menu Cookbook – Olney
Julia & Jacques Cooking at Home
Mastering the Art of French Cooking – Beck, Bertholle, Child
Paris Patisseries – Caroline Mignot
The Physiology of Taste – Brillat-Savarin
Simple French Food – Richard Olney
The Sweet Life in Paris – David Lebovitz
The Taste of France – Freson
White Truffles in Winter – N.M. Kelby
fiction
I love the library, I’ve checked out so many French inspired fiction, more than I can remember. But this is a list of books I own. I’ve mentioned Swann’s Way, and How Proust Can Change Your Life several times (and no, I still have not finished). I also am really excited to start Little Culinary Triumphs and purchase the other rentrée reads on my list.
A Dog’s Life – Peter Mayle
Special mention. I LOVE Peter Mayle. I’ve read all his books. They really do take you away to Provence. This one is fun because its told from the dogs point of view. I’m sure I have copies of his earliest books, A Year in Provence, Toujours Provence, Encore Provence, but I think they are hidden away in my mom’s basement.
A Paris All your Own – Eleanor Brown
Crime Fraiche – Alexander Campion
Death in the Vines – M.L. Longworth
The Elegance of the Hedgehog – Muriel Barbery – this is my favorite french fiction translated to English. Poetic, philosophical, dreamy, breathtaking.
France A Traveler’s Literary Companion – William Rodarmor, Anna Livia
French Milk – Lucy Knisley
Gourmet Rhapsody – also by Muriel Barbery
Murder on the Ile Saint-Louis and Murder in Saint-Germain – Cara Black I’ve read other mysteries from Cara, but I purchased these before our last trip to Paris because we were going to stay on Ile Saint Louis and of course be visiting Saint Germain. My husband has read Saint Germain, I’ve read Ile Saint Louis.
Paris in Winter an Illustrated Memoir – David Coggins – I’m half way through this, I decided to stop in the spring and I’ll finish this winter.
Paris the Collected Traveler – Barrie Kerper. An Inspired Companion Guide.
Paris on Air – Oliver Gee – I love the Earful Tower.
Pursuit in Provence – Phyllis Gobbell
Villette – Charlotte Bronte
parisian
I’m always reading articles online about or from Parisians, just trying to be a little more Parisienne. And of course all the French magazines, especially Paris Vogue (my copy should arrive any day now!). Here’s a few books I own.
Ageless Beauty the French Way – Clemence von Mueffling
How to be Parisian Wherever You Are – Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Caroline de Maigret, and Sophie Mas. I continue to read this, over and over. You know how much I love it.
Older, but Better, but Older – Caroline de Maigret and Sophie Mas.
Parisian Chic – A Style Guide – Ines de la Fressange
I hope this post, happy french friday – it’s my ultimate book reading list, has given you a little inspiration. A lot of the books are well known, but quite a few aren’t so much. I also have many various French language books and coffee table books too – my favorite being The French Dog but this list is for my books you can really get into and read. So many still to read, and then read again – I had better get too it! Hope you enjoy a good book this weekend too. For Pizza Friday 🍕? I’m feeling inspired by the Eggplant Pizzettes from The Forest Feast Mediterranean. **I just looked at this recipe this morning and guess what inspired it? Le Galet Pizza – an eggplant pizza that she had at Le Galet in Nice – it looks like I’m destined to go there some day 🥰 Bisous. À bientôt!
Goals!! Your brain must be Huuggee!
how your fesses isn’t with all those cookbooks, I don’t know!
(“Portion Portion Portion!!” -forgotten Brady sister, ‘Maigre’)
p.s. Love! Forest Feast!!
Salut Mz Needa! My brain is definitely not as big as my belly – oh well – c’est la vie – I’ve enjoyed every minute of it 🍕🧀🥐🍷👍😋 And I think it’s time I pass my Forest Feast Mediterranean on to you! After I copy some of the recipes – you will love it 😘