The French Reading Circle

If you've ever thought...

"Maybe my French just isn't good enough."
"I spend more time looking up words than reading."
"I always start books but never finish them."
"I lose motivation after a few chapters."
"I wish I had people to discuss books with."
"I don't know which books are suitable for my level."
"I love reading in English... I wish I could experience that in French."

If you're nodding... You're exactly who I created this for.

I want to become a reader in French

Imagine six months from now…

One Day...

Imagine closing the final page of your first French novel.

Not because someone forced you to.
Not because you translated every sentence.
But because you genuinely couldn't wait to find out what happened next.

Imagine recognising expressions you've seen in your book while watching a French film.

Discussing characters entirely in French.
Recommending novels to friends.
Feeling like French is no longer something you study...
It's simply part of your life.

That is what we're building together.

Why I Created The French Reading Circle

Open Jahnavi's personal journal to discover the story and journey behind the Reading Circle.

Journal de Jahnavi

Why I Created the Reading Circle

Click to Open Journal

Journal de Jahnavi

Join the French Reading Circle

Why reading changes everything

Reading isn't simply another way to practise French. It's one of the few activities where language, culture, emotions and ideas meet. Every novel introduces you to:

authentic vocabulary

natural grammar

French humour

history

politics

culture

different ways of thinking

L'apprentissage par la lecture

« You don't just improve your French. You begin to think differently. »

This isn't a book club. This isn't even a French class.

Traditional French Class

Grammar first

Textbook dialogues

Individual exercises

Memorising vocabulary

Studying

Teacher talking

The French Reading Circle

Stories first

Authentic books

Meaningful discussions

Acquiring vocabulary naturally

Immersion

Everyone contributing

What Your Next Six Months Could Look Like

Step 1

Build the foundations

Before we even open the first book…

We'll start by helping you become a confident reader in French.

You'll:

Meet your fellow readers and join our private community.
Unlock your Guided Reading Library.
Learn how to read in another language without translating every sentence.
Discover the strategies that make authentic books feel enjoyable rather than overwhelming.

By the end of this stage, you'll know exactly how to approach your first French book with confidence.

Step 2

Read, reflect and grow

Over the next six months, we'll read 4–6 carefully curated books together.

Each book becomes a new adventure—and another step forward in your French.

For every book, you'll:

Read at your own pace with guided support.
Watch short lessons that help you navigate vocabulary, grammar and cultural references.
Reflect in your Carnet de lecture.
Meet twice a month for lively discussions about the characters, themes and ideas that stayed with you.
Share your thoughts with a community of readers who are on the same journey.

With every story, you'll notice something changing: You'll spend less time reaching for the dictionary. You'll recognise more vocabulary naturally. You'll become more comfortable discussing books in French. And you'll begin reading for pleasure, not just for practice.

Step 3

Become an independent French reader

By the end of the Reading Circle, you won't just have read several authentic French books.

You'll know how to keep going long after the programme ends.

You'll leave with:

The confidence to choose books that suit your level.
A proven reading method you can use for every future book.
A richer vocabulary acquired through stories.
Greater ease discussing literature and ideas in French.
A sustainable reading habit that keeps your French alive every single day.

Because the goal was never simply to finish a few books. It was to become the kind of person who confidently reads in French.

La Petite Fille de Monsieur Linh de Philippe Claudel

Livre de Poche

Our first read

La Petite Fille de Monsieur Linh

de Philippe Claudel

A short novel with so much to talk about.

“Monsieur Linh arrive dans un pays inconnu, une petite valise à la main et sa petite-fille encore bébé dans les bras. Il ne parle pas la langue. Pourtant, une amitié inattendue commence à tisser un lien entre sa vie d’avant et celle qui l’attend.”

J’ai choisi cette histoire touchante pour commencer notre aventure, car ce roman relativement court, à l’écriture claire et au rythme doux, nous offre une belle porte d’entrée dans la lecture en français. Et derrière cette simplicité apparente, il y a tant à explorer ensemble : le sentiment d’appartenance, la mémoire, l’amitié et ces liens qui se créent au-delà des mots.

You won’t need to understand every sentence to have something meaningful to say. With reading guidance, vocabulary support and our conversations, we’ll gradually make sense of the story and discover what it means to each of us.

Getting your copy

If you enjoy reading on paper, you can get your own French copy of the Livre de Poche edition. Alternatively, an e-book will be provided when we begin, so you can read digitally without purchasing a physical copy.

P.S.

You don’t need to read anything before our bonus welcome gathering on Saturday, 31 October 2026. We’ll introduce the book and explain where to begin together.

Future Chapters

Our reading journey

And what will we read next?

You’ll help shape our next chapters. For subsequent books, I’ll propose a carefully selected shortlist, taking into account our reading rhythm, the variety of stories we explore, and your interests. You’ll have the opportunity to share your preferences, and I’ll use them to guide our next choices.

It’s a chance to discover books you might never have picked up yourself and help make this Circle your own.

INCLUSIONS EXCLUSIVES

What’s Included?

Recommendation of 4 to 6 carefully selected books (bandes dessinées, romans, nouvelles, etc.)
Library of pre-recorded videos to aid and enrich your reading experience (The Guided Reading Library)
12 live discussion sessions of 90 minutes each on alternate Saturdays 10:30 am to 12:00 pm UK Time / 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm IST.
Reading guides specially prepared by Jahnavi for every book

Private community on Slack
Vocabulary and grammar support
Cultural insights
Private community of like-minded readers

A few little extras to make this experience special :

Two bonus one-hour gatherings:

A welcome session to get to know each other and help you find your feet, and a closing session to celebrate our reading journey, reflect on your progress, and look ahead to your next French reads. These are in addition to our 12 regular gatherings.

A little welcome gift:

A thoughtful surprise to welcome you into the Circle and make your reading experience feel that little bit more immersive and personal. ❤️

Explore the Founding Member Offer

More Than Language

Most French courses teach you how to speak. The French Reading Circle gives you something worth speaking about.

Because the best conversations rarely begin with grammar. They begin with questions.

Questions like...

01

"Would you have made the same decision as the main character?"

02

"Can we ever truly forgive someone?"

03

"What makes a family?"

04

"Does ambition always come at a cost?"

05

"Can love survive betrayal?"

06

"Is justice always fair?"

Au-delà de la langue

These are the conversations we'll have together. Not because we're trying to practise the Subjonctif. But because great stories invite us to think more deeply about ourselves and about the world around us.

As we read together, we'll naturally explore themes such as:

❤️ Love and relationships

👤 Identity and belonging

🤝 Friendship and loyalty

🏡 Family and generations

🌍 Culture and different ways of seeing the world

⚖️ Ethics, justice and morality

🏛️ History and society

💭 Dreams, fears and personal growth

📖 What it means to be human

Some evenings you'll laugh together. Others, you'll disagree. Sometimes a character will frustrate you. Sometimes they'll remind you of someone you've loved. And without even noticing, you'll be expressing opinions, defending arguments, agreeing, disagreeing, questioning and reflecting in French.

« Because isn’t that how language is meant to be used ? Not to complete exercises, but to truly connect with people through ideas. »

I want conversations like these

What reading together can make possible …

Through my French lessons and comic-book workshops, I’ve helped learners approach authentic stories, gain confidence sharing their opinions, and discover the satisfaction of finishing a book in French.

Here’s how some of them describe their experience:

"Jahnavi created fun lessons while keeping my interests and passion at the heart of it. I even read my first French novel all by myself! I’m super proud of my journey and so grateful that I could do it with Jahnavi. She created a safe space for me to be vulnerable and pushed me to my quiet confidence. It is an absolute pleasure to know her and be her student. Her commitment to my progress was unparalleled, she put so much thought into planning each lesson and giving me constructive feedback... If you’re wondering whether to trust Jahnavi with your learning journey, the answer is an emphatic yes."

- Revathy, read "La Tresse"

"My main aim was to make use of better words and expressions while speaking. I also had an ambition to read French novels but I couldn’t sum up the courage to read one. Jahnavi curated meaningful activities suitable to my learning style (auditory learner) and timely feedback helped me become more confident while expressing myself. The best part of it all is that I read my very first French novel for which Jahnavi resourcefully created thought provoking questions for me to ponder on and encouraged me to use my comprehension of the new vocab and expressions. I would love to recommend all those looking to elevate their French."

- Yuti, read "La famille Martin"

Is this for you?

Perfect if...

You love reading.

You enjoy thoughtful conversations.

You are around level B1 or above.

You don't mind being challenged.

You enjoy learning slowly and deeply.

Not for you if...

You want quick grammar drills.

You don't enjoy reading in English or your mother tongue.

You're looking for exam preparation.

You want passive lessons.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Circle welcomes adult learners with a B1+ to C2 level of French who want to discover French and Francophone books, build a reading habit, and share their thoughts with other readers.

You’ll feel at home here if you can follow the main ideas of a text in French (even when some words are unfamiliar) and express an opinion, with a little time and support.

Perhaps you’ve started French books but struggled to finish them. Perhaps you already read regularly and would love people to discuss your discoveries with. Or perhaps you’re ready for your first full novel in French.

You don’t need perfect French, previous literary knowledge, or a bookshelf full of finished French novels. Bring your curiosity and a willingness to take part. I’ll help you navigate the language and make space for everyone’s ideas.

Not sure whether your level is suitable? Book a free discovery call before joining, and I’ll help you work it out.

Not at all. The books are carefully selected to be engaging and accessible, and you'll receive guidance, vocabulary support, cultural notes and discussion prompts throughout the programme. The goal isn't to understand every word but to enjoy reading, build confidence and grow naturally through the process.

We'll read a carefully curated selection of 4–6 contemporary French and Francophone books over six months. Expect memorable characters, thought-provoking stories, rich cultural insights and books that inspire meaningful conversations rather than overly academic analysis.

Books will be made available in e-book format whenever possible. You can also purchase them if accessible to you. I'll share the reading list in advance along with recommendations on where to find each title. Whenever possible, I'll choose books that are widely available internationally and through online media libraries like www.culturetheque.com and www.everand.com.

You can comfortably participate with around 2–4 hours per week (approximately 20–35 minutes a day), depending on the book and your reading speed. The goal is steady progress and enjoyment, not rushing through books.

Absolutely. This isn't an exam or a traditional classroom. Our discussions are designed to help you express your ideas in a relaxed, supportive environment. You don't need perfect French, you simply need to be willing to participate. Confidence grows through conversation, not before it.

This isn't a traditional French course. Rather than teaching grammar in isolation, we'll explore vocabulary, expressions and grammar naturally as they appear in the books. You'll also be able to ask language questions anytime in our private community on Slack.

All live discussions are recorded, so if you miss a session you'll be able to catch up at a time that suits you. Live recordings will be available for 2 weeks after the session ends. That said, the richest part of the experience is participating in the conversations live whenever possible.

You don’t have to leave the Circle or skip a gathering because you’ve had a busy week. Come with whatever you’ve read and the questions or reactions you already have. Let me know where you’re up to, and I’ll help you identify your next step. Reading guides and session recordings will help you reconnect with the story at your own pace. Please remember that discussions may cover the full scheduled reading, including spoilers.

The monthly payment option simply makes the programme more accessible. By choosing the payment plan, you're committing to the full six-month Reading Circle—not a month-to-month subscription. Your place is reserved for the entire cohort from the moment you join.

Because the French Reading Circle is a small, cohort-based programme with limited places, all registrations are final and non-refundable. Your place is reserved exclusively for you for the full six-month journey, allowing me to keep the community intentionally small and prepare personalised resources for every member. Please make sure you're able to commit before joining. If you have any questions beforehand, I'd be delighted to answer them. Feel free to write to me at info@sayouitofrancais.com or DM me on Instagram.

Join as a Founding Member

The very first members of The French Reading Circle won't simply be joining a programme.

They'll be helping shape a community that I hope will bring together French readers from around the world for years to come.

As a thank you for placing your trust in this very first cohort, you'll receive a number of exclusive Founding Member benefits that will never be offered again in quite the same way.

Founding Member Exclusives

✨ Lifetime access to the Founding Member rate for future French Reading Circle cohorts.
✨ The opportunity to shape the future of the French Reading Circle through your feedback, ideas and experience as one of our very first readers.

Founding Member

Perfect for curious readers who want to immerse themselves in French literature within a supportive community.

£65/month

£45/month

A saving of £120 as a Founding Member.

Spread over six monthly payments to make the programme more accessible.

Everything you need for a rich and immersive reading journey:

📚

The Reader's Companion Library
A growing collection of pre-recorded lessons designed to help you approach authentic French books with confidence.

📖

Guided Reading Notes
Exclusive reading companions prepared for every book, highlighting vocabulary, cultural references, themes and discussion questions.

💬

12 Live Reading Circle Sessions
Twelve 90-minute discussions where we'll explore unforgettable characters, exchange ideas and practise expressing ourselves naturally in French.

🌍

Private Community
Access to our Slack community to share reflections, ask questions, celebrate milestones and connect with fellow readers between sessions.

I'm ready to join

Only 12 places. Enrolments now open!

💳
Your membership: £45 per month for 6 months, totalling £270 for the full six-month programme. Your membership is paid in six monthly instalments.
📅
Monthly payments: Your first payment confirms your place. The remaining five payments should be made between the 1st and 10th of each month. Where possible, we recommend setting up a recurring monthly bank transfer so you don’t have to remember each month.
🌍
How to pay: If you’re based outside India, payment can be made by bank transfer. If you’re based in India, payment can be made directly via GPay. You’ll find the relevant information below.
🔒
Commitment and cancellation: Joining the French Reading Circle is a commitment to the full six-month programme. Monthly payments simply spread the total cost across six instalments; they do not constitute a rolling monthly subscription. Once enrolled, your place cannot be cancelled or refunded.
📖
Books: The e-book is included. Physical copies are optional and can be purchased separately.

Enrolment Details

How do I join?

Ready to join us? ❤️

Fill the little form below and send me your name, phone number and country. I’ll reply with the relevant payment details.

🇮🇳 India: Google Pay / UPI | 🌍 Outside India: Bank transfer

Your place is confirmed once your first payment has been received.

Why this isn't "just" a book club

You're not simply paying to attend twelve discussions. You're investing in a complete guided reading experience that combines:

Expert guidance from an experienced French teacher and reader

Carefully curated authentic books

A proven reading methodology

Guided video lessons

Bespoke reading guides for every book

Personalised support

A community of readers who will encourage you every step of the way

Everything has been designed to help you become an independent reader in French — not just for six months, but for years to come.

Your Next Steps

What happens after you join?

1

A warm welcome in your inbox

You’ll receive a welcome email confirming your place in our first French Reading Circle, with the next steps and key dates.

2

Your reading space opens on 20th October 2026.

You’ll receive an invitation to set up your account and access the Guided Reading Library, your space for videos, reading resources and, later, recordings of our live gatherings.

3

Start exploring before we meet

Your first videos and reading guidance will be waiting for you

You don’t need to read anything before our first live gathering. On Saturday, 31 October 2026, we’ll begin with a bonus one-hour welcome session to get to know each other, share our reading experiences and hopes, and explore how the Circle will work.

I’ll introduce La Petite Fille de Monsieur Linh, show you how to use the Guided Reading Library and reading guides, and share a few practical tips for approaching our first book. There’ll be time for your questions, too; so you leave knowing where to begin, what to read next, and who you’ll be sharing this adventure with. ❤️

More videos and resources will be added as we progress, supporting you through each new stage of our reading journey.

Six months from now...

Imagine looking back and realising that you've...

✓ Read 4 to 6 authentic French books you once thought were beyond your level.
✓ Built a reading habit you'll actually look forward to.
✓ Developed the confidence to read independently without translating every sentence.
✓ Expanded your vocabulary through stories you'll genuinely remember.
✓ Had meaningful conversations in French about books that moved you.
✓ Met fellow readers from around the world.
✓ Made French a joyful part of your everyday life.

Most importantly... You'll no longer wonder whether you're "good enough" to read in French. You'll simply be someone who does.

Your investment

For less than the price of a meal in a restaurant per week, you'll spend six months immersed in authentic literature, meaningful conversations and a community of readers who share your passion. You'll also leave with something that lasts far beyond the programme: the confidence to pick up any French book and know exactly how to approach it.

🌿 Founding Member

£45/month for 6 months

or £270 in total

Become a Founding Member

One year from now, you could still be telling yourself, "I'll start reading French books when my level is better."

Or...

You could have read 4–6 authentic French books, discovered new authors, made friends from around the world and become someone who confidently reads in French.

« The choice begins with the very first page. »

Turn the first page

La librairie française

One day...

You'll walk into a French bookshop.

You'll pick up a novel.

You'll read the first page.

You'll smile.

Because you'll realise something: the person who once believed French books weren't "for them" has quietly disappeared.

Now, you're simply someone who reads in French.

Welcome to The Reading Circle

My Promise to You

I won't ask you to understand every word.

I won't ask you to read books that leave you feeling discouraged.

And I certainly won't judge you for asking questions or getting things wrong.

Instead, I'll guide you through every story with curiosity, patience and encouragement.

I'll celebrate every page you finish and every insight you share.

Your Host

Coucou ! Je suis Jahnavi, bibliophile et vraie pipelette !

I'm the founder of Say Oui To Français, a French teacher with over twelve years of experience, and, before anything else, a lifelong reader.

Long before I became a teacher, I was the student who dreamed of reading French literature and believed I simply wasn't good enough. That experience shaped the way I teach today.

Over the years, I've helped hundreds of learners discover that French isn't about memorising endless vocabulary lists or chasing perfection. It's about connecting with people, ideas and stories that make the language come alive.

My students know me for doing things a little differently. We learn through comic books, novels, films, debates, authentic conversations and the kind of questions that don't have a single right answer. Because language isn't just something we study. It's something we live.

I don't believe people fall in love with a language because they've mastered its grammar. I believe they fall in love with it because of a book they couldn't put down, a conversation they never wanted to end, or a story that stayed with them long after the final page. If I can help create that experience for you, then I've done my job.

The French Reading Circle brings together everything I love most: literature, language, culture and meaningful conversations. And I can't wait to welcome you into it.