The article discusses the Grasse Diary by Galina Kuznetsova, the writer and memoirist of the Russian Diaspora, Ivan Bunin’s follower and secretary, focusing on the evolution of the author’s individuality. Research into the Diary has enabled us to see three circles of books which were read at the Villa by the residents – a) books, recommended by Ivan Bunin, b) books of Bunin’s milieu, and c) books by French authors. The article concluded that the circle of reading and disputes around the books read became an important factor that influenced Bunin’s worldview and literary preferences.