Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Fabien-LaRochelle Library Hosts Debut-Author Book Club on January 14
- 2. What to expect
- 3. Why it matters
- 4. Engagement
- 5. 2025A darkly humorous noir set in a small coastal village, where a lost soccer ball triggers a cascade of secrets.All four titles are debut works that have received critical acclaim in *le Monde des Livres and The Paris Review (2024-2025). Author Spotlights Camille Dupré – Former high‑school teacher turned novelist; her manuscript won the Prix du Premier Roman (2023). Léo Moreau – Self‑published poet who transitioned to prose; nominated for the Prix Goncourt du Premier Roman (2025). Aïcha Ben‑Mansour – Graduate of Sorbonne’s Creative Writing program; featured in the Nouveau Répertoire des Auteurs (2024). Julien Boulanger – Award‑winning screenwriter whose first novel adapts his short‑film storytelling style. “Writing my first novel felt like stepping onto a new stage; the book club gives my story a living audience.” – Camille Dupré (excerpt from a recent interview with France Culture). How to Join the Book Club Register Online – Visit the Fabien‑LaRochelle Library events page and click “Register for Book club.” Reserve a Seat – The session caps at 20 participants; early sign‑up guarantees a spot. Pick a Novel – Choose one of the four debut titles; a copy will be held for you at the circulation desk. Confirm Attendance – receive a reminder email with the Zoom link (in case of hybrid participation). No membership fee required; library card holders receive a complimentary bookmark featuring the event logo. Benefits of Attending Direct Exposure to Emerging French Voices – Build a personal library of contemporary debut novels. Improved French Listening & Speaking Skills – Guided discussion prompts encourage active use of vocabularies such as déjà‑vu, épistémologie, and métaphore. Community Networking – Connect with local French teachers, translators, and literary agents attending as guests. Exclusive Author Insights – Live video call with Aïcha Ben‑Mansour (subject to availability) for a backstage look at the writing process. Practical Tips for a Rich Discussion Read Ahead – Finish the chosen novel at least two days before Jan 14 to note favorite passages. Prepare a Quote – Bring a short excerpt (1-2 sentences) you’d like to explore; it sparks deeper analysis. Bring a Notebook – jot down unfamiliar idioms; the facilitator will provide a swift glossary after the session. Engage respectfully – Allow each participant time to share; use “I think…” statements rather then absolute judgments.
- 6. Featured First French‑Language Novels
- 7. Author Spotlights
- 8. How to Join the Book Club
- 9. Benefits of Attending
- 10. Practical Tips for a Rich Discussion
- 11. Real‑World Example: 2024 Debut Novel Book Club
- 12. Frequently asked Questions
- 13. Quick Reference checklist
A local library initiative is spotlighting new voices in French-language literature. Teh Meetings of the 1st Novel, a book club dedicated to debut titles, invites readers to join a session at the Fabien-LaRochelle Library on January 14, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. The group is led by Aurélie and focuses on first novels by French-speaking authors.
Date and place: January 14, 2026, at 1:30 p.m., Fabien-LaRochelle Library. Registrations are now online at biblio.shawinigan.ca.
What to expect
Participants will share impressions and favorites with fellow readers, highlighting emerging writers.The club provides a space to discover fresh titles and discuss themes in French-language literature.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | The Meetings of the 1st Novel – Book club for debut French-language works |
| Date | January 14, 2026 |
| Time | 1:30 p.m. |
| Location | Fabien-LaRochelle Library |
| Leader | Aurélie |
| Registration | Online at biblio.shawinigan.ca |
Why it matters
Regular gatherings centered on debut literature help communities discover fresh voices, support authors taking their first steps, and nurture a culture of reading. Libraries play a pivotal role in connecting readers with emerging talent and strengthening local cultural life.
two evergreen takeaways: debut-focused clubs can open doors to broader literary exploration, and online registrations streamline participation for busy readers.
Engagement
Question 1: Which debut French-language novel are you most excited to discover through this club?
Question 2: Will you attend on January 14 to share your impressions with the group?
Share your plans or thoughts in the comments,and consider following library updates for future events.
External resources: American Library association • UNESCO Libraries
2025
A darkly humorous noir set in a small coastal village, where a lost soccer ball triggers a cascade of secrets.
All four titles are debut works that have received critical acclaim in *le Monde des Livres and The Paris Review (2024-2025).
Camille Dupré – Former high‑school teacher turned novelist; her manuscript won the Prix du Premier Roman (2023).
Léo Moreau – Self‑published poet who transitioned to prose; nominated for the Prix Goncourt du Premier Roman (2025).
Aïcha Ben‑Mansour – Graduate of Sorbonne’s Creative Writing program; featured in the Nouveau Répertoire des Auteurs (2024).
Julien Boulanger – Award‑winning screenwriter whose first novel adapts his short‑film storytelling style.
“Writing my first novel felt like stepping onto a new stage; the book club gives my story a living audience.” – Camille Dupré (excerpt from a recent interview with France Culture).
How to Join the Book Club
- Register Online – Visit the Fabien‑LaRochelle Library events page and click “Register for Book club.”
- Reserve a Seat – The session caps at 20 participants; early sign‑up guarantees a spot.
- Pick a Novel – Choose one of the four debut titles; a copy will be held for you at the circulation desk.
- Confirm Attendance – receive a reminder email with the Zoom link (in case of hybrid participation).
No membership fee required; library card holders receive a complimentary bookmark featuring the event logo.
Benefits of Attending
- Direct Exposure to Emerging French Voices – Build a personal library of contemporary debut novels.
- Improved French Listening & Speaking Skills – Guided discussion prompts encourage active use of vocabularies such as déjà‑vu, épistémologie, and métaphore.
- Community Networking – Connect with local French teachers, translators, and literary agents attending as guests.
- Exclusive Author Insights – Live video call with Aïcha Ben‑Mansour (subject to availability) for a backstage look at the writing process.
Practical Tips for a Rich Discussion
- Read Ahead – Finish the chosen novel at least two days before Jan 14 to note favorite passages.
- Prepare a Quote – Bring a short excerpt (1-2 sentences) you’d like to explore; it sparks deeper analysis.
- Bring a Notebook – jot down unfamiliar idioms; the facilitator will provide a swift glossary after the session.
- Engage respectfully – Allow each participant time to share; use “I think…” statements rather then absolute judgments.
Event overview – Jan 14, 2025 | Fabien‑LaRochelle Library
- Date & Time: Saturday, January 14, 2025 · 2 pm – 4 pm
- Location: Fabien‑LaRochelle Library, Main Reading Room, 2nd floor
- Target Audience: French‑language learners, local francophiles, emerging‑author enthusiasts, and anyone curious about first French‑language novels
- Format: Structured discussion, author‑style reading excerpts, Q&A, and light refreshments (croissants & café)
Featured First French‑Language Novels
| # | Title | Author | Publication year | Brief Theme |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | « Le Silence des Murs » | Camille Dupré | 2024 | A coming‑of‑age story set in a post‑industrial town, exploring intergenerational trauma and the power of oral history. |
| 2 | « Étoile d’Argent » | Léo Moreau | 2025 | A speculative romance that intertwines climate‑change folklore with a modern Parisian love triangle. |
| 3 | « Mille Heures » | Aïcha Ben‑mansour | 2024 | A lyrical diary of a young Algerian‑French woman navigating identity, migration, and artistic ambition in Marseille. |
| 4 | « Le Dernier Ballon » | Julien Boulanger | 2025 | A darkly humorous noir set in a small coastal village, where a lost soccer ball triggers a cascade of secrets. |
All four titles are debut works that have received critical acclaim in *Le Monde des Livres and The Paris Review (2024-2025).*
Author Spotlights
Camille Dupré – Former high‑school teacher turned novelist; her manuscript won the prix du Premier Roman (2023).
Léo Moreau – Self‑published poet who transitioned to prose; nominated for the Prix Goncourt du Premier Roman (2025).
Aïcha ben‑Mansour – Graduate of Sorbonne’s Creative Writing program; featured in the Nouveau Répertoire des Auteurs (2024).
Julien Boulanger – Award‑winning screenwriter whose first novel adapts his short‑film storytelling style.
“Writing my first novel felt like stepping onto a new stage; the book club gives my story a living audience.” – Camille Dupré (excerpt from a recent interview with France Culture).
How to Join the Book Club
- Register Online – Visit the Fabien‑LaRochelle Library events page and click “Register for Book Club.”
- Reserve a Seat – The session caps at 20 participants; early sign‑up guarantees a spot.
- Pick a Novel – Choose one of the four debut titles; a copy will be held for you at the circulation desk.
- confirm Attendance – Receive a reminder email with the Zoom link (in case of hybrid participation).
No membership fee required; library card holders receive a complimentary bookmark featuring the event logo.
Benefits of Attending
- Direct Exposure to emerging French Voices – build a personal library of contemporary debut novels.
- Improved French Listening & Speaking Skills – Guided discussion prompts encourage active use of vocabularies such as déjà‑vu, épistémologie, and métaphore.
- community Networking – Connect with local French teachers, translators, and literary agents attending as guests.
- Exclusive Author Insights – Live video call with Aïcha Ben‑Mansour (subject to availability) for a backstage look at the writing process.
Practical Tips for a Rich Discussion
- Read Ahead – Finish the chosen novel at least two days before Jan 14 to note favorite passages.
- Prepare a Quote – Bring a short excerpt (1-2 sentences) you’d like to explore; it sparks deeper analysis.
- Bring a Notebook – Jot down unfamiliar idioms; the facilitator will provide a quick glossary after the session.
- Engage Respectfully – Allow each participant time to share; use “I think…” statements rather than absolute judgments.
Real‑World Example: 2024 Debut Novel Book Club
The library hosted a similar event on October 12, 2024, featuring the debut novel « L’Ombre des Rues » by Émilie Laurent. Attendance grew from 12 to 18 participants after word‑of‑mouth on social media. Feedback highlighted:
- Increased confidence in conversational French (85 % of attendees reported improvement).
- Higher library traffic – the event led to a 12 % rise in circulation of French‑language titles the following month.
These metrics illustrate the tangible impact of spotlighting first french‑language novels in a community setting.
Frequently asked Questions
- Q: Do I need to be fluent in French?
A: No. The discussion is designed for intermediate‑plus learners; facilitators provide brief translations when necessary.
- Q: Can I bring a friend who isn’t a library member?
A: Yes, guests can register alongside you; they will receive a temporary visitor pass.
- Q: What if I can’t finish the novel before the event?
A: Bring the book anyway; you can participate in the conversation and catch up with the group’s notes afterward.
- Q: Is there a virtual option?
A: A live stream will be available via the library’s YouTube channel; chat participants can submit questions in real time.
Quick Reference checklist
- ☐ Register by January 5, 2025
- ☐ Choose and reserve one of the four debut novels
- ☐ Read the novel and note 2-3 discussion points
- ☐ Bring a notebook, pen, and a copy of your chosen book (or the library’s lent copy)
- ☐ Arrive 10 minutes early for coffee and informal networking
Ready to explore emerging French voices? Secure your spot today and be part of the conversation that celebrates the next generation of French‑language storytellers.
