In Los Angeles, bookstores that let people read in French
French Morning scoured the shelves of Los Angeles bookstores looking for books in French. In his adventure: the great classics, from Honoré de Balzac to Flaubert, Virginie Despentes and even a little Johnny.
Skylight Books
In the Los Feliz district, this independent bookstore, near the LILA (Lycée International de Los Angeles) campus, has a large selection of novels in its main store (a second is dedicated to photography, design or fashion books). , essays, travel guides or children’s books, and hide under two shelves dedicated exclusively to French literature. Classics in the number passing from Flaubert to Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Jean-Paul Sartre or Marguerite Duras, and the new generation of writers on the scene. To take: Soft song by Leila Slimani, Prix Goncourt 2016, insult me by Virginie Despentes, Small country by Gael Faye or The elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. Skylight Books, 1818 North Vermont, Los Feliz. Open daily from 10am to 10pm, Sunday from 12pm to 10pm.
Counterpoint Records and Books
This address in Franklin Village, near Hollywood, has been recycling books on philosophy, literature, architecture and cinema since 1979, and also has around fifty vinyl bins, a CD shelf and K7. Hidden away, the “Foreign Languages” section brings together about fifty books, most of them in French and Spanish. Great classics of French literature mainly Balzac, Flaubert, Colette, Aragon, Apollinaire, Feydeau, some copies of Bescherelles and translations of Jane Austen. Counterpoint Records and Books, 5911 Franklin Ave. Open from 12pm to 7pm, Friday and Saturday until 8pm. Closed on Mondays.
Alliance Française de Los Angeles
The Alliance Française de Los Angeles has its bookstore. More than 70 works available on site (and to order by email), from the great standards of French literature (Colette, Daudet, Proust, Maupassant, Pagnol, etc.) but also some other contemporary bestsellers, including that of Edouard Louis (Finish with Eddy Belle Gueule), by Christine Angot (Incest) or Amélie Nothomb (Neither Eve nor Adam) and the adventures of Asterix and Obelix. The library area offers 3,000 books to borrow, including a thousand reserved for children free of charge for members. Alliance Française de Los Angeles, 10390 Santa Monica Blvd. Open Monday to Thursday 9am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 9am to 1pm.
Arcana: Art Books
In Culver City, this bookstore opened in a former mattress factory, has shelves with an industrial and functional spirit where you can find works of art, photography, design or fashion. The French selection is small but includes some rare titles drawn mainly from catalogs and museum works. Time selection: Symbolism published by the Petit Palais, American artists at the Universal Exhibition of 1900 or the catalog signed by Pierre Reverdy of the Maeght Foundation. Arcana: Art Books, 8675 Washington Boulevard, Culver City. Open from 11am to 7pm.
The Last Bookstore
In Downtown, this iconic Los Angeles address, an organized bazaar where dozens of customers come to stroll and read a book, hides in its labyrinth on the upper floor (just after the designer boutiques and exhibitions space), a “Foreign Language” section. Four very intricate shelves to find where novels and essays of all genres and all eras mingle. Anthology with The best of diets according to Karl Lagerfeld, Nadja by Andre Breton, The history of the theater published by Que sais-je? or homage to Johnny, rebel in love by star biographer Bernard Violet. The Last Bookstore, 453 South Spring street, Downtown. Open from 11am to 8pm.
Book Soup
West Hollywood’s flagship bookstore has a French department promised to be enriched in the coming months”, warned the store. We keep an eye on this address and in the meantime, we can always leave with some French magazines such as Point de Vue, Elle, Monsieur or Marie-Claire Maison. Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood. Open 10am to 7pm, Sunday 11am to 7pm.
