books

 Alma, perhaps you could create a group. Otherwise, we can always the "Culture" Topic. I am currently reading for the 7th time "Il Gattopardo" by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, but in Italian. This is my second attempt in Italian and this time it is much easier than the first time. It is an excellent language acquisition exercise.

Alma, if you create a Book Group, I'll be one of the first to join.

It is not very difficult for me, Valentina, because I am also fluent in French and Spanish and I have read the English and Spanish versions of the book. But I still struggle with some words and expressions. For this reason, the dictionary is a precious ally.The book is so well written that you forget about the old words and besides, it gives a fantastic historical insight  that helps to understand Italian and particularly Sicilian society during the XIX Century. The other aspect that I find fascinating is the fact that Lampedusa created this masterpiece around real characters, members of his own family, descriptions of familiar places, even meals. It is important to read his "Racconti" which are at the base of some of the chapters he later used in "Il Gattopardo".And we should not forget to watch the film, another masterpiece and readily available in DVD. It is one of those movies which will always remain as "classics".It is interesting to point out that the manuscript was rejected by several publishers, including Mondadori. It was finally published by Feltrinelli after Lampedusa's death. They say that rejecting "Il Gattopardo" Mondadori Publishers made its biggest financial mistake. But Feltrinelli got an instant success. The book I have is from the 89th Italian edition.... and they keep on publishing it, in many languages.

HiI agree the Savage Garden is a great read Mark Mill has written another based in Italy also good. Sorry on book shelf in Italy( in Uk at Present)I loved Mrs Garnet's Angel by Salley Vickers based In Venice, and a small church. do read and visit the same if you get chance. Regards Lin

Hello book people - I showed Allan (the other half of FromNowOn) the posts on books, and his comment is, "I would be particularly interested in hearing of some relatively easy Italian novels or short stories for someone still learning the language. I am beyond the very simple books written for school classrooms and want to know of a ‘grown-up’ author but who has a fairly simple style.   The only one I know of is Natalia Ginzburg who I find reasonably easy, but she writes about marriage and family life without exception. They’re not quite boys’ books!  Any other suggestions very welcome".Can anyone help him out? As for me, I am still at the stage of enjoying Annie Hawes and Tim Parks and their observations from people watching!

 My advice would be to start with some easy readers which will progressively lead you into more complex reading. There is an excellent "Easy Italian Reader" by Riccarda Saggese (McGraw-Hill) which I bought a year ago for my husband and he reckons that it is a great learning tool. It also contains exercises which you can complete and self-correct.  

I  too loved the Savage Garden.    Urbino definitely needs visiting, for every reason, not just because of something in a book!  Magical place.I read a detective book translated from the Italian, daughter has it at present, can't remember author or title, was it something like Death in Tuscany?  Set around Carrarra, very atmospheric around the marble quarries etc.  Written by a genuine ex detective, recommended.A suggested book a month to read perhaps?  anyone have the first one?

Thank you everyone so far .... as a result of this thread have ordered The Savage Garden and Mrs Garnet's Garden from Amazon for 1p each - even with postage added it was a bargain.Have also been ordeing a steady stream of DVD's of Fellini and other Italian films - partly because I enjoy those set in Italy and also because I can have italian soundtrack/english subtitles.... working towards having both in italian!Recommendations welcome...

"Soffritto" written by David Dale - "lived by Lucio Galletto". -Described as "a delicious Ligurian memoir". It tells the story of Lucio Galletto, who has a restaurant in Australia now, but decided to return to visit his place of birth and childhood.  It covers food of the area but but he also writes about his family history,  the past and present lifestyle and culture of rural Liguria and Lunigiana.  A tale of fishermen, farmers, food and love! Lowest price was on WH Smith (online) - cheaper than Amazon.

Robert I could have lent you the Savage Garden, dreadful book, badly written, unbelievable, and a bit silly, but thats only my unbiased view you understand. Miss Garnets Angel is good, love the Zen series by Michael Dibden, Tim Parks is good, and I like Donna Leon. There is also another book out, Venetian Masters by Bidisha, which is also a good one to miss, I must compile a list of books I like, but just because its about Italy doesnt make it a good read.A

If we're talking "well written", have you read The Italian Lesson by (if I can remember) Janice Elliot?An interesting book in Italian, and not too difficult as written for discussion with Italian young people in schools, is "Quando la Camorra" by Marina Gemelli + Geppino Fiorenza.Tim Parks is one of my favourites .I'd like to read "Soffrito", recommended by Lila and "War in Val D'Orcia" that Portia enjoyed.I'd like to retire so I could have time to read a slightly bigger fraction of what I'd like to read! 

If we're talking "well written", have you read The Italian Lesson by (if I can remember) Janice Elliot?An interesting book in Italian, and not too difficult as written for discussion with Italian young people in schools, is "Quando la Camorra" by Marina Gemelli + Geppino Fiorenza.Tim Parks is one of my favourites .I'd like to read "Soffrito", recommended by Lila and "War in Val D'Orcia" that Portia enjoyed.I'd like to retire so I could have time to read a slightly bigger fraction of what I'd like to read! 

I am trying to remember the name of an author, whos books I very much enjoyed, one set in Venice another in the Italian countryside, autobiographical, bohemien, and amusing. I think she was Spanish or from Argentina, and she had a long triple barreled name, anyone help me out?...sorry my memory isnt what it used to be !A

 A good source for books and DVDs in Italian is www.ibs.it/hme/hmelib.aspAnother tip, when watching a movie, try to use the Italian subtitles for deaf people. This also helps a lot with comprehension. My husband usually watches the film first with English subtitles and then he watches it a second time with the Italian ones and he reckons that it helps him a lot.He is currently reading the Italian Constitution in Italian!!!! He is a masochist!!!!

 I love reading. I have to admit though that I have not read a book based in Italy or about Italy.  Thanks for recommendations.

I have just thought of another one ' A Veneian Affair ' Andrea Di Robilant this a true story of an impossible love affair in the 18thc (I quote)I shall certainly look out for Soffritto and was going to order The Savage Garden from Amazon but don't know what to do now. My husband suggest  'Secret Memoirs of a Renaissance Pope' what can I say.

One I very much enjoyed "Ciao Bella" by Helena Frith Powell, Subtitled "In search of my Italian father", another autobiographical voyage.Lovely book.One that Robert enjoyed as well so not a girlie book!And lets not forget Eric Newby...Love and War in the Apennines, still searching for that elusive author, whose name I forget .A

"A small Place in Italy" (or "A Small House in Italy") by Eric Newby  sort of carries on from Love and War etc. many years later. What we need is a booklist to refer to so we can choose an odd one from time to time. I wouldn't have a clue how to set this up but maybe one of you other readers could?I read "A Long Way from Verona"by Jane Gardam thinking it was about Italy. Nothing to do with Italy actually but still a good book.

fairy nuff, you are a right!, phew has kept me awake at night!, thanks so much , can now google for books.Ax

Ciao a tutti!  My name is Debora and I enjoy reading many books regarding Italy.  My interest is the mostly in the Southern regions since my family is from Iacurso.  One of my favorite books is called Seasons in Basilicata by David Yeardon.  Its about spending one year in an Italian hilltown and his descriptions of the land as well as the people are rich and wonderful.  I would love to start a book group, but this is my very first post and I do not know how...but I adore books!

As our Italian is pretty basic we've been reading the 'Geronimo Stilton' series books to help us along. They are written for kids and we have found them useful in increasing our vocabulary and learning verb tenses. They are lots of fun too and now I can read the ones we've done to my grandchildren when they visit! We usually do a chapter after breakfast, Simon with the dictionary to hand and myself with the verb book.

Signor Roy, by Roy MacGregor Hastie.  One of my favourite books ever!Paola

Recently, I read a book called Stolen Figs by Mark Rotella which was excellent.  The premise of the book is based on the author's experiences as he travels to Calabria to see his father's family and to gain a sense of what day to day life is like in the small hilltowns of Calabria.  The author twists a clever phrase and illustrates that his adventure is both humorous and moving.  I found the book to be an excellent read and I enjoyed it very much!

Is there a book group?  If so, I would love to join. 

I'm not sure if there is a book group already on here, but why not start one up anyway?  I'm sure it will be subscribed to very well as a lot of people do enjoy  reading and comparing different books with each other.

Does anyone know how to start a book group? I'm sorry I have no idea how to do it, but would also be very interesed in joining if someone can set one up or give intructions.  I'd be happy to start with some really well known Italian or English books if there is enough interest from others.

I, like you, cannot go a day without reading at least a page of a book. I cannot imagine my life without this ingredient. But I don't read much lately because of college, I found a conclusion generator, I use https://studydriver.com/conclusion-generator/ for that. I did something to unload my personal time. I recommend It Starts With Us: A Novel by Colleen Hoover.