I was visiting family near Washington D.C. this weekend and took the opportunity to visit Bonjour Books, a French-language book store created by Jennifer Fulton (bonjourbooksdc.com). Jennifer has been running the store since 2013, but I somehow learned of it only in June. I’m so glad I did!
The store comprises two rooms, one for adults and one for children. Jennifer reports that they carry 3500 distinct titles. Nearly all of them are in French, with a smattering of English-language books on French subjects. There is a small amount of language learning material, but the vast majority of the offerings are high quality French books that rival what you would find in any small bookstore in France (I’ve been to many). The collection for adults includes contemporary and classical novels of all stripes (literature, mysteries, romance, thrillers, fantasy, sci-fi); an assortment of B.D. and graphic novels; a range of non-fiction (biographies, history, science, philosophy, business, art); a small selection of plays and poetry; and a small selection of gifts, prints, and novelty items. The children’s room includes board books for the youngest customers, picture books for early readers, plus an assortment of early-teen fiction and adolescent fiction. There are also juvenile B.D. and various non-fiction books. Jennifer also stocks items from the summer reading lists of the French schools in the area, including Lycée Rochambeau and French Academy D.C.
Bonjour Books sells books online as well as in the store, but I had plenty of space in my suitcase so I was free to stock up then and there. I picked out a few titles that piqued my interest and then asked Jennifer to recommend three or for more. She walked me through her favorites, chatting away in French with me the whole time. Here are the new additions to my fall reading list:
I was intensely curious about how a French bookstore could operate in America in the modern day, when so much of the book trade is now done through online merchants. Before turning the conversation to that subject I volunteered that I had started a French theater company in Boston and Jennifer was delighted to learn of our efforts and eager to learn how it came to pass. So we spent some 45 minutes swapping stories about creating small enterprises in America that cater to francophone audiences, and about the differences between for-profit and non-profit businesses. Jennifer was wonderfully forthcoming about her experiences, and gave me some good ideas for ways to develop the French Theater Project.
I’m so glad to have made a new friend, and to have found an American supplier of French books. Bonjour Books DC ships anywhere in the US, and when you factor in shipping their prices are way less than online French merchants like Lireka, Cultura, FNAC, or Amazon.fr. With so many titles in stock, I can get new French books for less money and much sooner than ordering them myself from overseas. An unexpected find – I expect I’ll be making regular visits every time I’m in town.
Bravo Bonjour Books DC !