Your Questions, Answered

  • The French Book Club is an online literary salon where a passionate community of French learners (B1-C2) and I meet weekly to explore great works of French and Francophone literature over several weeks.

    Browse our Reading Sessions, register for a cycle that inspires you, and join our weekly 90-minute live discussions on Zoom. I curate a diverse selection ranging from timeless classics (Proust, Flaubert, Balzac) to acclaimed contemporary narratives (Ernaux, Modiano, Echenoz).

  • Members of The French Book Club come from diverse backgrounds and locations—primarily the US, Canada, and the American community in Paris. They are united by a profound love for the French language and intellectual curiosity. Each member brings a unique perspective to the discussion.

    Our sessions offer a supportive environment designed for B1+ levels and above. We focus on building fluency and confidence in a judgment-free space where everyone is free to speak at their own pace, and every voice is valued.

    I keep the weekly reading load manageable—approximately 20 to 45 pages per week—allowing everyone to organize their time effectively and arrive ready to share their thoughts and questions.

  • I offer four main cycles per year (January-March, April-June, July-August, and September-December). Within each season, I offer reading cycles ranging from 3 to 12 weeks, depending on the book length and difficulty. We meet once a week for an online, live, 90-minute session on Zoom.

    Live sessions are primarily scheduled for North American time zones (US EST / PST), with selected options specifically designed for participants in Europe and the UK. Each course listing in our shop uses the US EST time zone, which is 5 hours behind London time and 6 hours behind Paris/Berlin time.

    After registration, you will receive an immediate confirmation email. I send the specific Zoom link and preliminary information approximately 2 weeks before the cycle begins. To ensure an unfiltered first contact with the literature, I typically share additional resources and analyses after our weekly discussion.

    (Note: To preserve member privacy and ensure a safe, spontaneous space for discussion, sessions are not recorded.)

  • We approach texts through multiple analytical layers. We begin with a literal understanding of the narrative and I gradually add layers of interpretation—drawing from history, arts, classical and contemporary philosophy (from Plato to Descartes, Nietzsche and Kant to Foucault), sociology (thinkers like Bourdieu), and even psychoanalytical perspectives (inspired by Freud, Klein or Lacan).

    While I provide deep intellectual context, we always prioritize the originality and uniqueness of the text, allowing it to speak for itself. It’s not just about reading; it’s about exploring the human condition through the French lens.

  • Beyond reading, our sessions are designed to enhance your vocabulary, grammar and refine your speaking skills. You will move from a literal understanding to a nuanced mastery of the language.

    This deep immersion is particularly beneficial for students preparing for advanced official exams such as the DELF (B2) and DALF (C1/C2), as well as the TCF and TEF. As a former examiner and corrector for these official exams, I have designed our discussions to help you master the sophisticated structures and cultural nuances required for the highest levels of certification. It is a way to take time to express yourself, think together, and improve reading comprehension through deep cultural immersion.

    For those looking to sharpen their listening skills, I highly encourage the use of audiobooks alongside the text—a powerful way to internalize French prosody and pronunciation while preparing for our sessions.

    Check what our readers say!

  • Yes. To allow each student to choose their preferred format (digital, second-hand, or new), members are responsible for purchasing their own books. Whether you prefer a physical copy, an e-book, or an audiobook, the choice is yours.

    Please note that you are not expected to read the book before the cycle begins. To ensure we all progress and discover the text together, a specific reading schedule is provided each week for the following session.

    We recommend securing your copy as soon as you register so you are ready to start our collective journey on day one.

  • Yes, observing a session is a great way to see if the club is a good "fit" for you. Depending on current class availability, you are welcome to join a live session as an observer—no prior reading is required, and you can stay for as long as you like. To discuss possibilities and receive a Zoom invitation, please reach out via our About page.

    Generally, I do not accept new registrations once a cycle has begun to maintain the group dynamic. However, exceptions can sometimes be made during the first two weeks (with a pro-rated discount). If a session is full before it has started, I highly recommend joining the Waiting List to be notified of last-minute openings.

  • Pricing is transparent and follows a degressive scale: the longer the cycle, the lower the hourly rate. This pricing is strictly based on the duration of the cycle (the number of weeks) rather than the complexity or prestige of the work studied. Whether we are exploring a contemporary thriller or a literary work considered as a classic masterpiece, the investment remains consistent for any given duration.

    We also believe in rewarding our community’s engagement:

    • Early Bird: A 10% discount is automatically available during the first week after new sessions are posted online. A reminder is sent the day before the discount ends.

    • Newcomers: I offer a special 10% discount for your first cycle to welcome you into our salon. If you want to enjoy this discount, please contact us through the About page.

    The exact price for each session is clearly listed on the Reading Sessions page. I recommend joining our newsletter to be among the firsts to know when new sessions are posted and to never miss the Early Bird window.

    Please refer to the French Book Club Terms of Service for the cancellation and refund policy.

  • The best way to stay connected is to join the Newsletter via the About page. By subscribing, you will receive:

    • Early Access: An alert the moment new sessions are online so you can grab the 10% Early Bird discount.

    • Last Call: A friendly reminder 48 hours before the discount expires.

    • Exclusive Content: Occasional "lettres littéraires" with reading recommendations and cultural insights (to come).

    I value your time and inbox; I only send essential updates and never share your information.

  • Absolutely. I strive to create an inclusive environment for all readers. Our Zoom sessions can include live automated captions for those who are hard of hearing.

    I follow digital accessibility standards wherever possible. All provided materials are available in accessible online formats as well as print-ready PDFs.

    For readers with visual impairments, I encourage the use of audiobooks or digital formats (E-readers) for our cycles.

    If you have specific accessibility needs, please reach out via our About page.