Books & Tools Recommendation
Recommended Grammar Books
• Essential French Grammar — by Seymour Resnick
• Grammaire Progressive du Français — Edition CLE
(All levels are good but as a beginner, use the orange one)
Online Support, Grammatical Tools, and Podcasts
Reverso French English Dictionary and Conjugator
French Dictionaries and Thesaurus
Le Point du FLE, for grammar and exercises
Coffee Break French
News in Slow French
Recommended Books
Easier readings:
• Commissaire Maigret — Series by Georges Simenon
• Le Petit Nicolas — Series by Sempé / Goscinny
• Le Petit Prince — Antoine de Saint-Exupery
• L'œil du loup — Daniel Pennac
Intermediate to advanced readings:
• Je voudrais que quelqu'un m'attende quelque part — Anna Gavalda
• L'échappée belle — Anna Gavalda
• La vérité sur l’affaire Harry Quebert — Joël Dicker (un auteur suisse romand)
• Le livre des Baltimores — Joël Dicker
• Un avion sans elle — Michel Bussi
• Classics by Jules Verne, Guy de Maupassant, Marcel Pagnol
• Murder Mystery by Boileau-Narcejac, Guillaume Musso, Fred Vargas
To purchase books in person, I recommend the bookstore European Books & Media in Oakland, CA
Online French Magazines, Newspapers and Stories
Even as a beginner, you’ll be surprised to see how much you can understand. However, chose a subject of interest to you, it will make reading much easier.
French-Speaking Media
One of the best way to learn with effortless effort. While practicing your French ear you’ll have the feeling to be in another country.
Radio Television Suisse Romande — www.rts.ch
Unusual Documentaries on Mystere TV
Listen to French Tales on Librivox
Listen to French Singers
Print the lyrics, it will help tremendously with comprehensions.
Georges Brassens, Edith Piaf, Juliette Greco, Charles Aznavour, Jacque Brel, Françoise Hardy, Barbara, Françis Cabrel, MC Solar, ex-Madame la Présidente Carla Bruni, Stromae...
Watch French Movies
You'll find many wonderful French movies on Netflix, YouTube, at your library or even, maybe, a video store near you, to watch with or without subtitles. Here are a few favorites:
• Les Intouchables — The Intouchables
• L' élégance du hérisson — The Hedgehog
• Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain — Amélie
• Les choristes — The Chorus
• Il y a longtemps que je t'aime — I Loved You so Long
• Au revoir les enfants
• La guerre des boutons
• Les yeux jaunes des crocodiles
• Le prénom — What's in a Name?
Businesses I enjoy... even if they have nothing to do with French
Babsi's Viennese Treats for her delicious organic, gluten- and sugar-free treats
Deborah Gross, 415 215 4163, for wonderful Rosen Method Bodywork sessions