Books about living in France

This post is mostly intended for future TAPIF-ers or people moving to la belle France.

Aside from reading through pretty much any and every blog by a former TAPIF-er I could find, I have tried to read as many books about living in France as a foreigner as I could. Here are a few:

I'll Never Be French (no matter what I do) by Mark Greenside [This was decidedly my favorite memoir on living in France as an American. It didn't hurt that the writer was writing about living in Brittany. In this book, you see the true warmth and nature of French culture. It was a decidedly comforting read and highly amusing to boot.]

French or Foe by Polly Platt [This book was recommended to me before I spent a high school summer in Paris by my French teacher as a way to understand the differences between French and American culture. It is absolutely excellent. It same me up with a very positive view about French culture and helped me to avoid the frequent pitfalls of Americans in France (always say bonjour! people don't smile, etc). Thanks to this positive view and better understanding of the culture, I had an excellent time. Whereas some of my fellow Americans came away finding the French rude. As a disclaimer, I have not reread this book since high school and did not take all of the book as The Absolute Truth. There are a lot of great basics held within, however.]

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris [The second half of this book is loosely about Sedaris' attempts to learn French while living in Paris/a small French village. It doesn't offer that much about being an American living in France, but it is hilarious.]

Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard [This memoir is a charming account of an American who falls in love and moves to Paris and her struggles and triumphs with French culture. As a bonus, it contains many delicious recipes!]

French Toast: An American in Paris by Harriet Welty Rochefort [This didn't add very much to my understanding of French culture, but it might help someone else.]