What are you reading?

Hi Patz Thank you for your welcome earlier.  I look forward to following the online chat...... Every so often I have to get an 'Italian fix' and read something that just transports me there.  I've just finished Eric Newby 'A Small Place in Italy' (3rd time I've read it!)and Isabella Dusi 'Vanilla Beans & Brodo' so am between books at the moment, casting about for something else.  I've started 'Lovely Bones' by Alice Sebold, but it's not doing it for me although I'll probably struggle on.  Oh to be able to read in Italian!!  I am determind to learn the language but it is so hard if you are not a linguist (like me).  I've pretty much mastered Michel Thomas (all the way through to CD 8!) but am finding it really difficult.  Hopefully when we spend more time over in Italy I will get the opportunity to practise. Jan

Those sound two very interesting books.  I'll put them on my "to read" list.  I liked Eric Newby's "Love and War in the Appenines" and the film. With regard to the language, you seem determined to persevere so you will succeed.  And as you say, you will soon be getting lots of practice! See you here soon, Pat

Try this also set in the Apennines http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=815

Hi All, You have given me some books which I have not read yet. I have quite a few myself - you have probably read them 2 by Anne Hawkes; the Thousand days series by DI Blesi. Right now, I am reading 'Buying a House in Italy' byGordon Neale. That might sound a bit boring but it is really interesting. Apart from the useful info and websites re buying, it also gives loads of info about the various regions, history, climate, people. It also talks about the different cuisines, soil for planting, what to plant for fences, windbreakers and where to situate them etc. Also which plants for scent, to repel insects and animals etc. It tells about the water systems and rules regarding filling swimming pools. oh, that does sound boring, but honestly it is fascinating. M

Thanks, Moruzzo.  Those books sound interesting.

Hi Patz, Interestingly enough I'm half way through a book called "INTO THE HEART OF THE MAFIA", a journey through the Italian South, by David Lane. It tells of the Mafia hold on Southern Italy, from Naples through to Calabria and Sicily, from the 1800s onwards. FASCINATING! It is VERY detailed and often I lose the thread of what the author is describing/conveying because of the sheer volume of information given. So you really need to re-read some paragraphs over again to get back on course. On a lighter note I am also reading (again) the amazing, "ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST" by Ken Kesey. Angela

Hi, Angela. The David Lane book is another I'll add to my list!  I've not read "One FLew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" but I'm sure it is excellent.  I found the film so sad. Pat

I have just finished 'The Uncommon Reader' by Alan Bennett.  Its a very English read but a super little book and very short so a good one for a hot summers day.  Other than that its all work books for me I am afraid and I am not sure that you would be interested to hear that I recently read the Biography of Warren Buffett - The snowball.  Although I have to say it has some gems in it. Oh I tell a lie,  I nearly forgot.  I read Richard Dawkins - The greatest Show on Earth.  A great look at Evolution.  I din't know a lot of the theory and what are now facts.  very interesting indeed.

What a good idea for a post. Having spent far too long devouring Non Fiction on Italian subjects, and to a lesser extent Fiction, I would highly recommend the following: If you've not read 'The Leopard' by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa then do so immediately, it is arguably the best novel by an Italian writer; If you have even a smattering of interest in Sicilian history then you really must. Another beautiful and expertly written novel is 'The Garden of the Finzi-Continis' by Giorgio Bassani, which is set amongst the doomed jewish community of wartime Ferrara. 'Naples 44' is a Non Fiction account by Norman Lewis of his time in that city as an intelligence officer and is as rich and moving as a good novel. Incidentally, if it's the Mafia you're after then 'The Honoured Society' is a classic account of it's origins by the same writer, one you'll want to read more than once, but rather depressing in it's conclusions. Could go on but mustn't.  Happy Reading Rendin