Italy

Italy has something magical: a cosmopolitan country, with passionate people, dreamy landscapes, and unforgettable food…Moreover, Italy is the country where funny adventures are always waiting for you; even just getting lost in an alley can brighten up your day there.

It’s harder for all of us to get there during this time, but why not travel through books? I love these three novels because they had the power to send me there.

3). Adventure in the first century — Paolo Monelli

I’m starting to think that the best books are hidden in antique shops. This charming novel illustrates the life of a former World War I officer, reincarnated in the body of a Roman boy from the period of Emperor Augustus. For me, it was exactly what the “doctor ordered” or, more precisely, a very inspired client of mine. The book helped me to detach myself from the present times, taking me on Via Dei Fori Imperiali, in the center of Rome.

Why I recommend it:  have you always been curious to see how the ancient Romans lived but didn’t have the patience to see a documentary about it? Adventures and passion await you on every page. You will be amazed at how fun life was in the eternal old city, after which you will travel to Naples, Bologna or Brindisi.

 

I wanted this book to “teleport” me to the villages of Cinque Terre, and it worked. It is an alternation between modern American life and  La Dolce Vita, but not from Rome, the one from Liguria. Pure love is born between a simple Italian local and a charming American actress. The way he pronounces her name after decades makes the time and noise of the world stop…

Why read it:  Most likely, Cinque Terre is the most spectacular area in Italy! Everyone wants to get lost in the picturesque streets there or walk the alley of love. The book will make you understand what everyday life was like before the tourist boom. Additionally, a romantic tale is always welcome.

These days, before going to bed, I read this beautiful book with the action based in Naples, during the Second World War. I think Naples is the weirdest, and yet, the most dynamic city on the planet! I’m sure a visit to that area will change me.

If I were to recommend only one book, it would be. This novel has an alert rhythm and presents details from the local life, highlighting traditions and superstitions.

Livia, the main character, is the kind of honest, passionate, hard-working woman who manages to work miracles for her customers even when her ingredients are stolen.

James is the English officer who has to formalize marriages between women in Naples and soldiers. His main responsibility is to check if the future bride is a prostitute who tricked the future groom.

What you will find inside:  ideas for new recipes and a passionate love story, rising in the shadow of Vesuvius. Livia’s food has transformed James and is very likely to change you as well.

I am also in a stage of life where I want to cook my first dishes. The book really inspires me, making me appreciate the ingredients and choose them better.