french books - any recommendations?

Hello!
I am looking to improve my French. So I will be going to France at the end of July, but before that, to get me in the mood, I'd like to start reading some French books. When I mentioned this to my mother, she ran to the bookshop and got me a book by Honoré de Balzac. Which was very sweet but I think she rather overestimated my French. Can anyone recommend a fairly simple French book (detective, or something else that will grip your attention and is not too sophisticated or high-level French) you enjoyed reading? Of course I could go and get a French translation of Harry Potter or the Da Vinci code but something more 'authentic' would be better...
Any suggestion will be much appreciated!
Thank you!

Why not some French newspapers or paperbacks? so that you'll be more easily in the mood, and aware of what's happening in France. Try "Le Monde", or "Marianne", or again "Politis",or if you like ecology you can try to find "Silence", which is a very interesting paperback...

Ah, yes, very useful suggestions. I can get Le Monde in lots of places here. I'm assuming paperbacks are magazines? The ones you mention I haven't seen anywhere but then I wasn't looking... I'm sure the Eurostar train station will have some of those!

Oh yes! I mixed up "paperbacks" with "magazines", those I told were magazines.

So, what part of France are you planning to visit?
Dutch people generaly like southern France better (and one can't blame them, because the weather there is much nicer!) But if you ever decided to visit north-western part of it, there are also many places that are worth to be seen (eg : our famous "Mont Saint Michel", this year we are celebrating its 1300 years), and Britton coasts are also very beautiful, as well as beaches from my department. Anyway, I wish you a very nice tour in France, Lein!

Le Monde is a good idea. You can read it online for free.

If you like detective stories, I think you could enjoy novels written by Fred Vargas.

Try to listen french radios (online), like France Inter.

There are a lot of old and young french singers, but this isn't always easy to understand. What kind of music do you prefer?


Friendly.

Merci beaucoup, Botica!! I was listening to a radio discussion about if school should already start at 5 years (tell me, if I understood it correctly) and it's really nice to hear NATIVES talk!

Si tu le dis...

Are you saying that what I understood was total nonsense?? But I heard something about "jardin d'enfants" and "parents qui travaillent" and "école à cinq ans"! Are you sure, french politicians aren't having a discussion about that at present?

Heidrun, dear and courageous french learner, I do solemnly swear I'm not laughing at you.
I think you have understood very well the debate (in France, children used to go to school at 2, but some say it's not a good idea, and I'm sure it's a good idea to begin school later when you want to cut public expenses ).
It's not the most important and discussed political debate, but there's been debate on this subject for I think about 5 years.
But I'm not sure the majority of "français moyens" (average citizens) is very interested in this debate (young parents do). And if you visit France, I'm not sure you'll find so pleasant "Café du Commerce" discussions (it means people who talk about politics in the street or in bars, usually speaking loudly, with very simple views and final sentences, often not very well informed...). But you have the right to be enthusiastic! I think you will learn quickly our language!

That was a nice speech! And you're right - I was just happy to understand ANYthing of what was said on the radio program, no matter about the topic. I just like listening to your soft and smooth language, that still has some throaty voices which makes it even more interesting. I also noticed that they were speaking very "soigné" (or how should I say) - like how we learn to pronounce it in French class, without any special accent. But maybe that's only the case on the radio/TV...

Ooh, yes of course, French music!
My musical taste is very random... For this purpose I suppose not too fast songs would be good. I think I may still have some old chanssons lying about. When I was studying French at school we used songs by Gilbert Becaud, Enrique Macias, Georges Moustaki... It's all coming back now!

Francki, I'm going to Ecrin in the Alps for a week of rock climbing! If I pick up enough French I'm then hoping to use it when I go to Geneva in September for a rowing race.
A few years ago I was cycling from Holland to Paris and I particularly enjoyed the Champagne.
I still haven't visited Brittany yet but I definitely want to go some time!

Thanks all of you for your suggestions!