Dive into French Literature: Novel Recommendations for B1 and B2 French
I know it may seem surprising, but I used to be so scared to speak French in “real” contexts. I’d do fine in class but then clam up when I met French-speakers in my dorm and at restaurants.
This continued for my first 5 years of learning French, and I definitely don’t want you to live in fear like I did!
So what helped me get over my fear?
Reading books in French.
I know it may sound counterintuitive that doing something that does not involve speaking could help me get over my fear. But in my case, my fear revolved around not having le mot juste, or the exact word that I wanted when speaking.
Reading novels in French immersed me in French vocabulary at my own pace. Unlike a conversation, I could stop to look up words or put the book down when my brain felt like it might explode from concentrating.
Reading gave me a whole bank of words I could pull from during conversation, which gave me the confidence to speak more.
I still relish reading in French because it is one of the least expensive ways to get an immersion experience without leaving your couch.
So this week, I bring you my favorite French book recommendations for intermediate learners. I’ve enjoyed all of these contemporary books over the last few years. Whether you have yet to read your first French novel, or you have a handful under your belt, you’re sure to find your next read below:
Pour le niveau B1 (Intermediate Low)
La petite dernière (Fatima Daas). Un livre d’autofiction. Les chapitres sont très courts (2-4 pages). Je vous ai fait un guide pour les premiers 6 chapitres.
Pour le niveau B2 (Intermediate High)
Nymphéas noirs (Michel Bussi). Un roman policier qui a lieu à Giverny et concerne des peintures de Claude Monet!
La vie est un roman (Guillaume Musso). Une histoire dans une histoire, dans une histoire? Tu vas l’adorer!
Frappe-toi le coeur (Amélie Nothomb). Un petit roman très différent de tous les autres que j’ai lus! L’écrivaine est belge.
Si c’était à refaire (Marc Levy). Je pense souvent à ce roman policier qui a également des éléments de science fiction. Il y a beaucoup de rebondissements (twists) dans l’intrigue!
So what are you waiting for? Time to dive into reading en français!
