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New Memoir French Landing book cover by Elisabeth Bykoff
A Memoir

French Landing

A French woman's journey to her American dream.
4.7 ★★★★★  (6)

Part love letter to two countries, part founder's origin story - a memoir about ambition, identity, and the courage it takes to land somewhere new and call it home.

From the opening pages

“I'm proud of you", my father whispered at the airport. "But don't you ever come back."

What it's about

A landing is also a beginning.

When you speak English with barely an accent, it’s hard for most people to believe that you were born in France.

Elisabeth’s love for American movies led her to dream of making them herself in Hollywood, building her American dream full of romance, prosperity, and a fulfilling career. But sitting on the carpeting floor in the Minneapolis airport - or maybe Detroit - on her way to Seattle to finish her Aerospace Engineering degree, Elisabeth realized the American dream might look a little different than she’d anticipated. But is it that necessarily a bad thing?

From Washington to California to New York and now, Texas, Elisabeth shares stories and thoughts from her twenty years navigating the United States, revealing the contradictions, the moments of awe, and the complexities that make America what it is. In French Landing, Elisabeth lends a fresh, French perspective on the American way of life.

What Readers Are Saying
★★★★★

“Once I started reading French Landing I could not put it down. It is an amazing book that talks a lot about the differences between U.S. and French culture.”

- Lisa
★★★★☆

“The narrative is quite captivating, which makes the pages fly by. On top of being super light-hearted and funny, I learned a lot about the cultural differences between the US and France.”

- Gui
★★★★★

“It’s captivating, easy to read, full of humor and sharp observations, and felt like having a conversation with a friend.”

- SPIPAN
★★★★★

“Quick vignettes that compare and contrast with sharp wit and even sharper insights.”

- Stefan
Inside the book
IntroFake It ’til You Make ItElisabeth opens with a candid reflection on self-doubt, ambition, and how the COVID era inspired her to finally write a memoir about her extraordinary experiences.
IThe Early YearsFrom her first steps onto American soil to her hilariously bewildered reaction to carpeted airports and supersized sodas, Bykoff’s transition from France to America is filled with laugh-out-loud moments and poignant observations.
IICareer and Financial IndependenceThe learning curve of American corporate culture meets Bykoff’s determination to thrive - despite being stumped by the mystery of credit scores and the enigma of “work-appropriate” fashion.
IIIDay-to-Day LifeEveryday life offers unexpected lessons - from navigating America’s healthcare maze to understanding the concept of volunteering. Through it all, Bykoff finds humor and growth in the absurd.