Would you like to enjoy some reading during the summer holidays? Here are 3 recommendations for books that you can also try reading in French.

En attendant Bojangles – Olivier Bourdeaut
A story about an extraordinary family. A father with a great imagination, a mother who is somewhat eccentric, and a child growing up in an environment of dance, grandiose stories, and a peculiar pet—namely, a crane. No one opens the mail, and everyone regularly dances to the mother’s favorite song, Mr. Bojangles by Nina Simone.

Not in the mood for reading? The book has also been adapted into a film.

La petite fille de Monsieur Linh – Philippe Claudel
Mr. Linh is a refugee from Southeast Asia, where a war has destroyed his village. He managed to save his granddaughter, along with her headless doll. Together, they fled to Europe. In France, they are housed in an asylum seekers’ center, where Mr. Linh is very lonely: no one pays attention to him, and certainly not to his grandchild. When he is transferred to another center, he attempts an escape. The denouement is as dramatic as it is beautiful.

L’hygiène de l’assassin – Amélie Nothomb
The world-famous writer Prétextat Tach has only 2 months to live. He allows himself to be interviewed by 5 journalists. Through these conversations, you discover what an unpleasant man Tach is: he is racist, misogynistic, and provocative. He makes the first 4 journalists flee, and then Nina arrives. A sharp conversation follows, launching you into a verbal game of ping-pong.

Tip
Have you developed a taste for French literature? Then sign up for our “Cercle littéraire.” You can find more information via this link.