Books on France Challenge 2013

I have found the first challenge I've decided to commit to for 2013!

This challenge is being hosted by Words and Peace. Basically, you read books that are either:

a) set in France,

b) written by a French author, 

c) written in French (not Canadian French), or

d) about a French theme. 

Now, I'll be honest. Since I took my last required French class over the summer, French and I have not been the best of friends. We just needed some time away from each other. 

But when I saw this, I remembered all the good times. I remembered that deep down inside me, there is a francophile waiting to come out. And I realized that although I need a good long break from structured French classes, I still try to read the washing instructions in French on the tags on my towels, sheets, and clothes. 

Well, maybe that was more than you needed to know, but basically I am ready to return to my love of French and France. Even when I was stuck in the dreaded French class (really, the only one I disliked was my last one--sigh, it ruined French for me), I enjoyed reading books about France (as long as they were in good ol' English). And I've had my eye on some books related to France for a while. So this challenge is going to be fun! 

My goal is to reach Level 2, "beaucoup" (6 books), but I will be perfectly happy if I reach Level 1, "un peu" (only 3 books, which should be plenty doable). 

Here's my list of books for the challenge. I'm not positive on which books I want to read yet, so it's entirely subject to change, but these are books I'm really looking forward to reading. I'll update the list as I go. 

1. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (on my Classics Club list)

2. My Life in France by Julia Child

3. Julie and Julia by Julie Powell

4. A book by Peter Mayle (probably A Year in Provence, but whichever one I can get a hold of)

Books Read:

Julie & Julia by Julie Powell
My Life in France by Julia Child
Versailles: Biography of a Palace by Tony Spawforth
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain