I am betting that most of you are like me--in that you always have a book about Italy (fiction or nonfiction) in progress. I'm curious to know what you are reading right now, and if you would recommend it to the rest of us.
I'm about 1/3 of the way into Prince of Foxes by Samuel Shellabarger. I found it difficult to get into--but I think that was due more to my sporadic reading of it (half a chapter here, half a chapter there) rather than the writing. I am now really into the plot, the characters, and if I can just stay awake, I'll greatly enjoy the rest of it.
Here's the listing and brief description of it on Amazon.com. Eleven readers gave it a rating. The author was a reknown Renaissance historian, and I believe this historical fiction is quite accurate because of that.
It was pretty sappy (chick book), but I just finished (last night) The Last Promise by Richard Paul Evans...Just a love story, set in Tuscany. It was a quick read and I would recommend this book to anyone who likes romance novels that take place in Italy...easy and fun!
Posts: 135 | Location: Coconut Grove, Florida | Registered: 16 June 2006
Just finished biography of "Leonardo, the Artist and the Man". Prior to that, it was "The Genius in the Design", about the rivalry that transformed Rome, between Bernini and Borromini. On deck, Machiavelli's, "The Prince".
Does anybody have any good suggestions for future consideration? I prefer non-fiction.
On the recommendation from Jane and because I adore Assisi, I am presently reading "The Reluctant Saint: The Life of Francis of Assisi" by Donald Spoto. So far I am totally fascinated and I'm not really a non-fiction kinda gal.
This is so much fun, for Christmas I received a gift of 2 books by Iris Origo," War in Val D'Orica "and "Images and Shadows" along with "D H Lawrence and Italy", which are little treasures that I look forward to reading this winter. Next to my bed I have been reading Charles Dicken's, "Pictures From Italy", a narrative of his travels to Italy in 1844. Very interesting to read about tourism and his experiences set in that time period. Always making notes of good reads for the future on my favorites, and will have to check out some of these recommendations, Thanks, LisaT
I just received a coffee table book, Rome 360. As i randomly opened the book the page was of the Campo dei Fiori, and I actually cried. I am such a sap. Merry Christmas to all. Ellen
Posts: 55 | Location: long island, ny | Registered: 29 April 2004
I am trying to read The City of Falling Angels but find myself spending more time on this board than I am reading the book and I have already renewed it from the library once. Great thread. I hope a lot of good books about Italy/books that take place in Italy are posted for future reference.
On the recommendation from Jane Thumbs Up and because I adore Assisi, Thumbs Up I am presently reading "The Reluctant Saint: The Life of Francis of Assisi" by Donald Spoto.
Pokey, I'm glad you are enjoying this--I did and Ken just finished it and he thought it was excellent. I was going to recommend it so thanks for doing it.
The Miracles of Santo Ficoby by D.L. Smith is a good, sweet, quick read. And I just finished Emperor The Field of Swords by Conn Iggulden. This is one more book about Julius Caesar--facts filled in by imagination.
I will get back to this thread to pick up ideas when we return next week--good idea, DogMother
Keep in mind, it's a little "sick and twisted" but I imagine Florene was just a bit of that during the the Renaissance! I also felt like I could "walk through the story" when walking around Florence. A good read before or during a stay there...
I liked this book also....and I just finished In the Company of the Courtesan by the same author. Set in Rome and Venice in the early 16th century, I think she really gives the reader of sense of the time and place.
At this moment it is David Hewson's "Lucifer's Shadow". In an ancient burial ground on an island off Venice, a young woman's casket is pried open, an object is wrenched from her hands, and an extraordinary adventure begins...
I liked this book also....and I just finished In the Company of the Courtesan by the same author. Set in Rome and Venice in the early 16th century, I think she really gives the reader of sense of the time and place.
OK, Jim, so we are in fact NOT twins separated at birth. I could not read the "Birth of Venus". But this thread has give me an idea: Since others like it, I will try to remember to bring it to the GTG Thursday.
I received La Bella Figura A Field Guide To The Italian Mind by Beppe Severgnini for Christmas. He also wrote Ciao, America! It is suppose to be a comical treatment of the hearts and minds of his fellow Italians.
Posts: 158 | Location: West Virginia | Registered: 25 October 2005
I'm currently reading "Secrets of Sant'Angelo" by Jeff Shapiro, and am enjoying it so far. For Christmas, I was given an 'iou' - a copy of John Julius Norwich's "A History Of Venice" due out in March 2007. I can't wait to get my hands on that one.
Posts: 684 | Location: Toronto | Registered: 18 February 2006
I'm about a third into "Satyr Square : a year, a life in Rome" by Leonard Barkan. It has just been published; I believe I saw a reference to this in the New York Times book review section which piqued my interest. So far, so good.
From the Library Journal Review: "During the 1980s, Princeton professor Barkan spent a yearlong sabbatical in Rome as he began the research for his book Unearthing the Past: Archaeology and Aesthetics in the Making of Renaissance Culture. He took an apartment on the fifth floor of a building on Piazza dei Satiri and, after a lonely start, immersed himself in the life of the city. Here he weaves together his passion for food, wine, art, literature, and people with his fascination for all things Italian to tell a complicated story about the self-exploration of a disillusioned middle-aged man."
The Piazza dei Satiri by the way is just east of the Campo and right around the corner from the apartment we rented a year ago November.
Peter L
Posts: 33 | Location: Seattle | Registered: 27 January 2006
Topic Closed
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The Silver Spoon.... I just can't put it down!!