Credit: Califrenchlife
The French Book Fair which took place at Alliance Française de Pasadena with Clotilde French Bookstore on February 1, 2025, was more than just a chance to buy books—it was a celebration of community, resilience, and the shared love of reading in French !
In the wake of the recent wildfires that deeply impacted our area, this event became a space for people to reconnect, exchange experiences, and find comfort in literature. Attendees didn’t just come to shop; they came to discover new books, engage in discussions, and support each other during a difficult time.
Books as an Escape
For some, especially those who had lost their homes, books provided a much-needed escape from the weight of reality. Reading in French, a foreign language, offered a double layer of evasion—immersing them in new worlds while allowing them to step outside their everyday struggles, if only for a while.
A Community Coming Together
Beyond browsing through the carefully curated selection of Clotilde French Bookstore, visitors shared reading tips, recommendations, and personal stories. The book fair became a place of support and exchange, where literature helped forge connections and offered a sense of normalcy.
The Consul of France in Los Angeles especially went to the event with his family to support the community of Alliance Française de Pasadena.
Personalized Guidance from Clotilde
Clotilde, always attentive, was there to guide everyone toward the right books—whether they were looking to improve their French, explore classic or contemporary literature, or simply find a comforting read.
In the comments of the Linkedin post of Alliance Française de Pasadena about the French book fair, Clotilde wrote in French:
Translation in English: “Thank you Emma Franks! Working with you is always a great pleasure.
And it was a real beautiful emotion to see you come this morning to the Alliance one after the other to come and choose new books to discover.
Lately, your community has suffered a lot from the fires in LA and some this morning even shared with me that they lost everything, including all their books.
It touched me extremely to exchange with you, and to be able to disconnect from this reality for a moment to dive into different literary discussions/recommendations.
Pasadena/Altadena, my heart goes out to you, and I’ll see you soon.”
Clotilde Delestre from Clotilde Bookstore (on the left) and Emma Franks, Executive Director of Alliance Française de Pasadena.
Credit: Clotilde Delestre
A Success Rooted in Solidarity
This edition of the book fair was a true success, not just because of the books sold, but because of the spirit of togetherness that filled the room. It was a reminder that literature is not just about words on a page—it’s about sharing, healing, and growing together.
French books can make an event meaningful. Let’s keep reading in French, discovering, and supporting one another!
Credit: Califrenchlife
