Read French books to learn French!
Here are a few book recommendations categorized by level to help you start working on your reading skills. Feel free to add your favorite French books in the comment box! Here we go!
BEGINNERS
- French texts for beginners (Lingua)
If you are a total beginner, the Lingua website is exactly what you need! This is where you need to start if you are looking for some reading material. Choose one of the level A1 text and start reading it. This website will help you learn some vocabulary and quiz yourself. Start with “C’est ma vie” and memorize the vocabulary from this text before moving on to the next one…
How would you like to start reading books from the great French writers such as Alexandre Dumas, Jules Verne, George Sand? Too hard for you? Not at all! Try the books from the “Lecture CLE français facile” collection. The texts have been adapted and shortened to be understood by French learners. I highly recommend “les trois mousquetaires” or “la reine Margot” by Alexandre Dumas, one of my favorite authors!
- Le Petit Nicolas (by Goscinny and Sempé)
Fancy reading a “real” French book, meaning a book that was not designed for French learners? Try “le Petit Nicolas”, one of the easiest book you could find. Follow the adventures of a mischievous French school boy called Nicolas and learn new vocabulary words in the process. It is such a popular children’s book in France that several movies have been made based on this book. Check out this website, notre lecture, to find the entire book and audio book, chapter by chapter.
- Asterix (by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo)
Why not try a comic book? The drawings will help you better understand the context. It is another great way to start reading some French! Follow the adventures of Asteris “le Gaullois” and his friend “Obelix” as they try to resist the Roman invasion…. These comic books are a lot of fun!
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
The amazing “Lecture CLE français facile” collection offers books adapted to different levels. As explained previously, the texts have been adapted and shortened to be understood by French learners. What a great way to discover some of the greatest French authors! I am sure you will find something that you will like in this list. You can also start with a book that you have already read in your language, it will be easier to understand what you are reading.
- Le Petit Prince (by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry)
This beautiful short story is one of the most translated books in the world after the Bible! The language used is simple as it was written as a children book but there is a beautiful philosophical message that the adults will enjoy discovering. After a plane crash in the Sahara desert, the narrator meets a strange little boy nicked the little prince… Click on the title of the book to download the book for free.
- Arsène Lupin (by Maurice Leblanc)
Follow the adventures of Arsène Lupin, the gentleman thief and master of disguise. A great book to start reading French detective novel. Click on the title of the book to download the book for free.
- Et après (by Guillaume Musso)
Guillaume Musso is one of the best-selling author today in France. His books have been translated into many languages. If you like suspense books, you will love his work.
ADVANCED
- Le passe-muraille (by Marcel Aymé)
Learn about this incredible story of M. Dutilleul whof found out one day that he had the gift to walk through walls… How is he going to use that gift? Click on the title of this short story to download it for free and find out! You will also find some other short stories.
- Les contes fantastiques (by Guy de Maupassant)
If you like scary stories, try a short story by famous French author Guy de Maupassant. Click on the title of the book to download the book for free.
- Stupeur et tremblements by Amélie Nothomb
Belgian author Amélie Nothomb grew up in Japan where her dad was working as a diplomat. In this autobiographical story, she explains her working experience in a Japanese company that was far from an easy one! This book was such a best seller that a movie was made based on it. I highly recommend it!
- Le tour du monde en 80 jours (by Jules Verne)
Follow the adventures of Phileas Fogg as he bet that he coud travel around the world in just 80 days… Click on the title of the book to download it for free.
MY TIP: CHECK OUT THESE WEBSITES FOR FREE READING MATERIAL:
I recommend this website, ebooks gratuits, where you will find many free ebooks in French! Try also this one where you will find many classical French writers like Zola, Flaubert, Balzac….
GOING FURTHER
Write down a short summary of the book you have read to work on your writing skills. Send it to your French tutor a few days before your next class. We will go over the corrections together and I will explain the corresponding grammar points.
That’s it for today! A bientôt!
