Bonjour, friends!
After years and years and years of reading those little Francophile books I adore so much, today, I’m sharing my faves (and I’ve read them all!) along with sharing why I think YOU should try reading one this year should you want a little French inspiration to inject into your own life.
As you already know, I have had a love affair with the French culture for decades (and the British culture too). Anytime someone asks me why I like to read the non-fiction “Francophile” books my answer is always the same: They’ve kind of turned into my own little version of a “self-help” book. I never pick one up without getting motivated, encouraged, learning a thing or two, sometimes getting a bit scolded (but for the good!), and always putting it down inspired to live my best life.
Although every book title you’ll see below is a little different, they are all almost entirely the same too (regardless of whether or not they’re written from the perspective of someone born and raised in France or of someone who just lived there for an extended period of time). I think it’s the similarities that really make these books almost soothing to me. I pick one up knowing that I’m going to feel motivated and encouraged when I put it down without having to learn a whole new skill (they’re each basically just building upon the same ideas).
If you’ve never read one before, I highly, highly recommend you do. Not only will you learn more about the French culture in general, but I truly feel like you’ll leave inspired to live your best life.
Curious? You should read one!
Now which ones are my favorite? This was kind of easy (the top ones are tops for a reason!) but also hard because I have truly learned something from each and every one and below you won’t find a “bad” book in the bunch. I’m going to name my TOP 6 but please know that the rest are in no particular order and all considered honorable mentions. Many of authors in my TOP 6 have written multiple books, so I listed all of their books under one heading so that you can see them all in one place. I am not going to “review” all of these books as I’ve already reviewed most of them here on my blog. You can head to my search bar to search the title and author to find specific reviews here on my blog or…just look them up online and you can read the basic review. This isn’t a “review” post, this is a “I’m encouraging you to pick one up and read it this year post!”.
Okay, there are 34 books here (all non-fiction, lifestyle books), and I have bought and read every single one of them. Truly, I love them all! If you have any questions, ask away in the comment section.
Ready, set, here we go:
Lessons from Madame Chic by Jennifer L. Scott
Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic by Jennifer L. Scott
At Home with Madame Chic by Jennifer L. Scott
How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are by Anne Berset, Audrey Diwan, Caroline de Maigret and Sophie Mas
Ooh La La! by Jamie Cat Callan
Bonjour, Happiness by Jamie Cat Callan
French Women Don’t Sleep Alone by Jamie Cat Callan
Forever Chic by Tish Jett
Living Forever Chic by Tish Jett
Practicing Parisienne by Marissa Cox
Sophie the Parisian by Nathalie Peigney
Choosing the Simply Luxurious Life by Shannon Ables
Living the Simply Luxurious Life by Shannon Ables
The Road to Le Papillon by Shannon Ables
Chez Moi by Sarah Lavoine
Entre Nous: A Woman’s Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl by Debra Ollivier
Kisses and Croissants by Anne Sophie Jouhanneau
Joie de Vivre by Harriet Welty Rouchefort
French Women Don’t Get Fat by Mireille Guilano
Parisian Chic Encore by Ines De La Fressange
Parisian Chic Look Book by Ines De La Fressange
All You Need to Be Impossibly French by Helena Frith Powell
Longing for Paris by Sarah Mae
The French Art of Living Well by Cathy Yandell
Paris Street Style by Isabelle Thomas
Lazy Perfection by Jenny Patinkin
Thirty Chic Days by Fiona Ferris
Thirty More Chic Days Vol 2 by Fiona Ferris
Thirty Chic Days Vol 3 by Fiona Ferris
The French Beauty Solution by Mathilde Thomas
Paris Style by Alois Guinut
Chic & Elegant: Tips from a French Woman by Marie Anne Lecouer
The Bonjour Effect by Julie Barlow & Jean-Benoit Nadeau
(not quite) Mastering the Art of French Living by Mark Greenside
Whew! Okay, I hope you find a new book to read this year to motivate, encourage and inspire you to live your best life (French or not 😉 ).
Au revoir! xx
PS, if this isn’t your thing at all, no worries! I also have…
…a Valentine’s Cocktail today too 😉 .
Dana P says
So funny, I had no idea you’ve read SO many! What I really want to know is-what are your actual favorite things you’ve learned from them?
Mix and Match Mama says
I think that’s an entirely different post! I’ll mark it down 😉 .
Elspeth says
I’m bookmarking this page for my to be read list! Thanks for all the suggestions!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Mix and Match Mama says
You will love each and every one of them!
Erika Slaughter says
One thing about those books-they all have really pretty covers!
Mix and Match Mama says
You and Sheaffer were on point this morning. Bahahaha!
Laura says
This is PERFECT! Claire has helped me with another study abroad in Paris next month. I AM PUMPED!! I need to learn about the Parisian way of life before I go!
Mix and Match Mama says
YAY!!!!!! You will LOVE these books!!!
Sheaffer says
I will say this… the covers are super cute.
Mix and Match Mama says
I’ll give you the Cliff’s Notes version on our way to lunch next time 😉 .
Janette says
Author Karen Wheeler has an excellent series that starts with the book Tout Sweet – Hanging Up My High Heels for a New Life in France. I am positive you would enjoy them.
A new one I just read is Joie by Ajiri Aki.
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU!!!!
Kelly Marie Sites says
I have REALLY enjoyed your content this year- you are on your A game- just super fun, helpful, encouraging, and helping us all grow. Keep up the great work.
I have really also enjoyed the books I’ve read (most listed above). There is so much to learn about how to have self control, enjoy the simple life, and other great messages in the books that I have read.
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you, thank you, thank you! You have no idea how much this means to me, Kelly. I’m so grateful you’re a part of this community!
Lynne Patterozzi says
Hello Shay,
Long time reader first time commenting….do you think these would be appealing to a 16 year old sophomore in high school girl? My granddaughter loves anything Paris. If there are some that would be more appealing due to her age please share. Thank you!
Lynne
Mix and Match Mama says
YES!!!! I most certainly do! Kensington has read two or three of mine.
Lesley McFarland says
Hello!
I always love your book reviews and suggestion. I have a long drive to Lubbock this weekend. I love me a Parisian book. Is there one of these listed that you would suggest on an audiobook?
Mix and Match Mama says
I’ve never listened to any of these on audio book, so I”m not sure…but I still say start with Madame Chic and then let me know what you think!
K.K. says
Ooh FUN!!! Thanks, Shay. Feel like you have to snack on a couple macarons while reading one of these! 😉
Lauren says
Have you read “French Kids Eat Everything” by Karen Le Billon? It is one of my favorite books and I have re-read a couple of times. Even if your kids are older…there is so much to learn from it!
Mix and Match Mama says
Nope, but I’m looking it up right now!
Julie says
I have, and I really enjoyed it! 🙂
Renee says
Do you follow this blog or IG account,
https://lechefswife.com/ ?
She is married to a French chef. She met him when she was living and working in France. She is a busy working mom but still lives a French inspired life.
Mix and Match Mama says
I just followed her on IG! Thank you, thank you for the rec!
Ashley Keeney says
Bringing up BeBe was an EXCELLENT pregnancy/early child parenting book read. I loved the approach to having “firm boundaries but freedom within them” it really helped me think about how I wanted to parent. I would recommend to anyone pre-pregnancy through toddler!
Anne says
I am looking forward to listening to a few of these. I feel like I’ve been in a bit of a rut and this should be a fun way to mix things up.
Julie says
I’m definitely going to read some of these! Seems like a good time of year to read this kind of book for some reason! Love the post! 😊
Jessica says
This fills my bucket! It sure what it is, but Paris gets me every time!
Sarah says
Thanks such a detailed list! Curious, do the links go to book reviews or are they links? Do bloggers still need to share when items are shared with an affiliate link? Thanks again for the list—heading to the library tomorrow to set which are available!
Mix and Match Mama says
The links go to the books on Amazon where you can read their reviews/synopsis. I did book reviews though on almost all of them, so if you head to my search bar at the top of my blog and type in the name of the book and author, it should take you right to that specific book review post. I use affiliate links in a lot of my posts (and then not at all in others). It really just depends on my content that day. All of my privacy policy information including linking is shared on my About Page.
Stacy says
Love Jennifer L. Scott !
I need to read some of these other ones
Amber Raver says
Hiii! Okay so I’m planning a Paris/Spain vacation with Clare right now! Yay! Do you have any fiction books set in Paris that you’d recommend?!
Mix and Match Mama says
The Paris Apartment is a cute, sweet read. Thank YOU for allowing us to be a part of your vacation!!