French or Foe?

by Polly Platt

A fascinating read about why the French behave socially the way that they do. It tends towards the upper crust behavior (e.g. apparently not that many young girls have "rallyes" when they are teenagers, a very chic, by invitation only, coming-of-age party.) But nonetheless, it is pretty informative in explaining why many French behave in their unique and stereotypical ways.

The Maltese Falcon

by Dashiell Hammett

Recommended by a well-known book critic, it's a classic 1940's detective novel. It covers its tracks (fills in the details) that the Humphrey Bogart movie leaves out. Nice little twists keep it going.