I am presently in California where I am enjoying the sun and blue sky as opposed to the cold winter of Minnesota where we have 30 inches of snow with more on the way.

I am reading Stephen Ambrose’s “D-Day, June 6, 1944, the climatic battle of World War II.

Since I will be in Normandy in September 2007 and probably taking the Battlebus Tour of the beaches, I thought it fitting I read up before I went. Hopefully, I will get more from the tour if I know something.

Being a woman I have previously not been drawn to World War II stories, or any war for that matter. I am half way through the book, it is wonderfully written and very informative without being a difficult read.

My tour through Normandy should be even better with a little knowledge learned from this book. I highly recommend.

For mysteries, try Nicholas Freeling's Castang series and books about Arlette (Van der Valk's widow) after she moves to Strasbourg
Old Bones, Skeleton Dance and Old Scores by Aaron Elkins are all set in France

You asked for fiction, but other people have added non-fiction suggestions so I will take the liberty of recommending PAris to the Moon and The Piano Shop on the Left Bank

Hi V,

Look up "Monsieur Pamplemousse".

Cara Blacks'latest, "Murder in the Ile St-Louis" is her best IMHO.
For Languedoc, the mystery(and alot of history mixd with the fiction abouit the Cathars) "Labyrinth" by Kate Mosse.

Th Book of Salt by Monique Truong.
A fictional account of th life of Alice B. Toklas and Gertrude Stein by their chef.

I second The Book of Salt. If you want some light fare Peter Maille's Chasing Cezanne was fun.

Robespierre, I hesitate before the sea green incorruptible, but are you sure A Distant Mirror is fiction? I always thought is was pure fact. Don't want to split hairs however....

Another thread pointed out that there is a new novel by Susan vreeland called Luncheon of the Boating Party about the people depicted in the Renoir painting. Sounds interesting, and her other books are good.

Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises is one of the best novels in English about Paris, and also includes running bulls in Spain. His A Movable Feast, which is non-fiction, is also worth reading.

Joanne Harris' Blackberry Wine, Chocolat (and the 2001 movie), and Five Quarters of the orange. These novels are her "food trilogy. She has written others set in France, too

I see a trip to the library as well as to Paris in my future! Merci, all.

samsmom1107 and others--another thread about books (mostly historical novels) set in France
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34843126

I have just read and enjoyed Olive Farm, a memoir about fixing up an old villa and olive farm in the south of France, near Cannes, by Carol Drinkwater. It is apparently the first in a series. I think they were more popular in the UK than the US.

Recently read "Hunting and Gathering" by Anna Gavalda. This is a wonderful, generous novel with a few episodes quintessentially Gallic - not long on locale, but a heart-warming aid to imagining that the folks in these parts are first and foremost people, who happen to be French.

Anything by Emile Zola, especially Les Bonheurs des Dames, based on the store Bon Marché on the Left Bank. I am about to try reading Le Ventre de Paris (about Les Halles food markets) in French - wish me luck!

A big second for "The Sun Also Rises." A great book and, in my opinion, a classic novel that truly deserves to be called a classic. As already mentioned the book takes place in Paris and Spain.

On a much different note, Le Divorce by Diane Johnson is light, fun, engaging reading.

Someone also mentioned Zola. L'Assomoir is probably my favorite (a bit of a depressing read but absolutely great).

And yet for a fourth and completely recommendation is Paris Trance by Geoff Dyer about 2 twenty somethings in Paris. I liked it a lot but not everyone does.

ttt

just a quick thank you to this thread I just finished Cara Black's Murder in the Marais and previously Suite Francaise because of this thread - so thank you!
I read the Book of Salt last summer - and endorse it as well! Thanks again as I work my way through my list compiled of from this and the other "books to read" threads!