Friday, February 20, 2009

A GOOD BOOK

There is nothing like a good book !!! except maybe ~the time to read it ! This time of year is usually slower for me .. in some ways I agonize over not being as busy as I usually am ~but I celebrate the time I have by reading as many books as I can .

Reading has always been a pleasure for me ... I love to get lost in a book .. I love thick fat books .. pages and pages of a story that won't let me go .. I love the books I don't want to finish ... their story becomes a part of my life .

The books I have been reading lately all have to do with one of my favorite subjects ~ ITALY .. it is the next best thing to being there .

It started with a book called MY COUSIN THE SAINT
BY JUSTIN CATANOSO . This wonderful book is an inspiring story of faith & family across two continents .. it had me laughing and crying and remembering all the times I spent with my family in Italy .. it was a book I couldn't put down !

I went on the read A VINEYARD IN TUSCANY BY FERENC MATE & then LIVING IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE BY MICHAEL TUCKER. All fabulous interesting books !!

On the recommendation of my friend Marti who lives , loves & cooks in Tuscany I am reading MARCELLA HAZAN'S AMARCORD.. a wonderful recollection of a famous Italian cook !

Marti & I talk regularly by email .. sending and sharing recipes as well as bits of life in a small Tuscan town .. check out her blog MANGIA TUTTO ( eat everything ! ) she is a former personal chef and has a wonderful way with words as well as food , cooking everything from traditional Tuscan dishes to fabulous desserts .. her descriptions and pictures make me wish I had a fork in hand to try a slice of lemon tart across the miles that separate us !

In these past few weeks I feel I am in Italy .. with the sights and sounds of a farmhouse set on rolling hills and mouthwatering meals prepared in wood -fired ovens and served with spectacular wines and flavorful olive oils ~ amidst the company of family & friends .. it is the next best thing to taking a Alitalia flight to Roma !!!

These book make me want to run to my kitchen to prepare fresh pasta and roast succulent meats .. I want to sit around a farm table and enjoy the company of family ... I want to live " la dolce vita" if only for a short time !
WONDERFUL ITALIAN BOOKS I HAVE READ

WHEN IN ROME by PENELOPE GREEN
THE BOOK OF ITALIAN WISDOM by ANTONIO SANTI
ITALIANISSIMO by LOUISE FILI
SPREZZATURA by PETER D'EPIRO
A CHILDHOOD IN ABRUZZO by ART ZAVARELLA
MARCELLA CUCINA by MARCELLA HAZAN
A THOUSAND DAYS IN VENICE by MARLENA DE BLASI
THE LADY IN THE PALAZZO by MARLENA DEBLASI
A THOUSAND DAYS IN TUSCANY by MARLENA DEBLASI
THAT SUMMER IN SICILY by MARLENA DEBLASI
THE CIVILIZED SHOPPERS GUIDE TO ROME
THE HILLS OF TUSCANY by FERENC MATE
PASSEGGIATA by G G HUSAK
MARCELLA SAYS by MARCELLA HAZAN
CITY SECERTS ROME

1 comment:

  1. Great post! And thanks for those belle parole! You know how much I enjoy our e mails..they're part of my life. And just WAIT until we get in a kitchen together!! There'd better be PLENTY of room! Love the way you put it"... to try a slice of lemon tart across the miles that separate us".
    I,too, feel the same way about books. And when I'm into a good one I never want it to end. I've actually cried a few times when I've come to the last page.

    ReplyDelete