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
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
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".
ReplyDeleteI,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.