5 French Books to Read on French Language Day

Happy French Language Day!

It’s no secret that I’ve had a love affair with the French culture and language for many years. Although I studied Spanish for 8 years in high school and college, French always seemed more romantic and mysterious than any other language. So after college and grad school I decided to take a conversational French class at a nearby community college, in preparation for my first trip to France. The class not only helped me learn everyday, helpful phrases to use while traveling (and it did come in handy!), it also opened my eyes to French culture and lifestyle.

And it was about that same time that I started to collect books about French life – everything from fashion, to food, to health and beauty. And over the years, I’ve amassed up to a dozen books about what we Americans see as the quintessential lifestyle of the French – full of cheese, bread, chocolate, wine and plenty of secrets to help you live a wonderfully luxurious life.

So in honor of French Language Day (March 20), here are a few of my favorite French-themed books that provide varying perspectives on French culture, including that je ne sais quoi quality that has kept me intrigued after all these years.