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by Giacomo Casanova

Holly's review:

An enthralling account of Casanova's 1755 imprisonment in Venice's Leads prison for over 15 months without a trial. His gripping tale of escape alongside a priest provides a unique perspective on Casanova's life. After touring the Leads in 2019 and experiencing the cramped cell he was confined in, this book feels even more vivid. 

Amazon write up:

Europe's greatest adventurer. Thrown into an escape-proof prison for a crime he probably committed. The question is, which crime? In 1755, the infamous Giacomo Casanova was locked up without trial in Venice's notorious Leads prison. Over 15 months he battled disease, madness, boredom, grotesque gaolers, bad books and fellow prisoners, before attempting the most audacious and typically flamboyant escape in history. This is Casanova's own account of the escape bid that made him a celebrity across Europe, full of his unique wit and philosophy, translated into English in full for the first time.

by Mark Sullivan

Holly's review:

Set in Milan in 1943, this thrilling novel centers around a young Italian teenager aiding Jews' escape through the underground railroad. A twist of fate forces him into the German army. A captivating read rumored to be adapted into a film.

Amazon write up:

Pino Lella wants nothing to do with the war or the Nazis. He’s a normal Italian teenager - obsessed with music, food, and girls - but his days of innocence are numbered. When his family home in Milan is destroyed by Allied bombs, Pino joins an underground railroad helping Jews escape over the Alps, and falls for Anna, a beautiful widow six years his senior.

In an attempt to protect him, Pino’s parents force him to enlist as a German soldier - a move they think will keep him out of combat. But after Pino is injured, he is recruited at the tender age of eighteen to become the personal driver for Adolf Hitler’s left hand in Italy, General Hans Leyers, one of the Third Reich’s most mysterious and powerful commanders.

Now, with the opportunity to spy for the Allies inside the German High Command, Pino endures the horrors of the war and the Nazi occupation by fighting in secret, his courage bolstered by his love for Anna and for the life he dreams they will one day share.

by Belinda Alexandra

Holly's review:

Starting in Florence, 1914, with an infant left at Ospedale degli Innocentri – one of the earliest orphanages from 1445 – the tale delves into Rosa's quest to uncover her past with only a hidden key as a clue. A riveting story that's hard to put aside.

Amazon write up:

FLORENCE, 1914. A mysterious stranger known as The Wolf leaves an infant with the sisters of Santo Spirito. A tiny silver key hidden in her wrappings is the one clue to the child’s identity. . . . FIFTEEN YEARS LATER, young Rosa must leave the nuns, her only family, and become governess to the daughter of an aristocrat and his strange, frightening wife. Their house is elegant but cursed, and Rosa—blessed with gifts beyond her considerable musical talents—is torn between her desire to know the truth and her fear of its repercussions. All the while, the hand of Fascism curls around beautiful Italy, and no citizen is safe. Rosa faces unimaginable hardship: her only weapons her intelligence, intuition, and determination . . . and her extraordinary capacity for love.  

by Franco Ciarleglio

Holly's review:

Gifted during a stint in Florence in 2010, this petite guide unveils hidden gems from Medieval and Renaissance eras. 

Amazon write up:

Those who love to travel and discover the true soul of a city, they know that nothing is better than looking for unusual stories, legends and tales, better if told by city dwellers. This book by Franco Ciarleglio gathers 56 stories on Florence in Middle Age and Renaissance, as a result from a great study on ancient texts found in the historical archives of the city. A book easy to read which can also be used as a tour guide. There are maps of the city center, showing the entire route of the “stroll”, and of the ancient walls since Roman times until today 

by Diletta Corsini & Lucrezia Giordano

Holly's review:

Explore Florence's ancient wine-selling traditions with this enchanting book on buchette del vino and the city's rich history. 

Amazon write up:

A Florentine invention that spread to other cities of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, wine windows performed their role for five centuries. The buchetta, as called in Florence, represents an absolutely unique quirk in local society and after years of study and research it has earned its place in this book published by the Association Buchette del Vino, containing the most recent data and theories.

Born to allow noble Florentine families to sell their wine from their urban palazzo, the windows developed with varying fortunes over time, always confirming that direct sale from producer to consumer was a guarantee of quality and value for money. And, of course, their recent revival in times of pandemic for their implicit anti-contagion characteristics, stirring interest and admiration worldwide.

The Association Buchette del Vino was founded in Florence, in October 2015, with the aim of surveying, studying, documenting, making known, and safeguarding a heritage widespread across Tuscany. A completely original testimony of how Florentine families who cultivated vines in the countryside sold the wine they produced directly to consumers of every social order through these very particular architectural artifacts.

The census is still in progress and currently lists about two hundred and eighty windows. The association shares its research on a website and two social media profiles, presenting discoveries and actions like studies, meetings, guided tours, video tour production, buchette hunts, and more.

by Nardini Ediotore (available at Paperback Exchange in Florence)

Holly's review:

A gem uncovering traditional recipes and gastronomic tales. Found at Florence's Paperback Exchange, it’s a must-visit location with free monthly issues of the Florentine magazine.

Online write up:

Florence – City gourmet guides is a new book which illustrates the richness and variety of Florentine gastronomy. It has an elegant binding, a high-quality printing on ivory paper and an unusual and refined size. The text moves from history of Florentine gastronomy, its traditions and specialties, from the banquets of Etruscans and Romans to the simple and genuine taste of popular recipies of the beginning of the last century, up to the glorious “Florentine t-bone steak”.

by The Editors of La Cucina Italiana

Holly's review:

A comprehensive guide featuring over 500 recipes, vivid illustrations, and invaluable culinary insights, making it a perfect gift. 

Amazon write up:

All the essential techniques, profusely illustrated with step-by-step photographs. How do you recognize a San Marzano tomato? How do you shape tortellini? How do you cut scallopine? Everyone loves Italian food, but the ingredients and techniques can be new territory and plain recipes can take you only so far. To make sense of it all, you need La Cucina Italiana. With more than 3,000 step-by-step photographs, this veritable encyclopedia guides you through all the essential building blocks of this cuisine. The images remove the guesswork from the more than 500 recipes included, allowing you to truly master the art of Italian cooking. Reflecting the philosophy of the cuisine itself, La Cucina Italiana puts ingredients first, explaining the different types and the best use of each. Then it supplies you with multiple methods for preparing those ingredients, ranging from simple to complex. Thus the book is suitable both for beginners and more advanced chefs who want to perfect their techniques. Sprinkled throughout are sidebars such as "The Right Tool," "Chef’s Secrets," and "Advice and Tips." Perhaps the most user-friendly publication ever on Italian cooking, La Cucina Italiana is like a compact cooking school you can keep on your shelf. 

by Maria Pasquale

Holly's review:

With 215 pages of vibrant photos and narratives, delve into the Italian way of life, from calendars to delightful playlists.

Amazon write up:

Is it pausing to enjoy an aperitivo or gelato? A passeggiata down a laneway steeped in history? An August spent tanning at the beach?

This book is a celebration of the Italian lifestyle – an education in drinking to savour the moment, travelling indulgently, and cherishing food and culture. A lesson in the dolce far niente: the sweetness of doing nothing. We may not all live in the bel paese, but anyone can learn from the rich tapestry of life on the boot.

From the innovation of Italian fashion and design, the Golden Age of its cinema to the Roman Empire’s cultural echoes (and some very good espresso), take a dip into the Italian psyche and learn to eat, love, dress, think, and have fun as only the Italians can. 

by Sophie Minchilli

Holly's review:

Embrace essence of Dolce Far Niente (pleasant idleness) – cherishing food, family, friends, and art of leisure.

Amazon write up:

It’s time to embrace the Italian way of life…

The Sweetness of Doing Nothing explores the southern Italian philosophy of Dolce Far Niente to help you find pleasure in the everyday.

How often do you focus on being in the moment, doing nothing? Whether it’s sitting outside at a cafe watching the world go by, whiling away the hours with your loved ones sipping a glass of wine or being immersed in nature at the beach taking in the sun, these seemingly ordinary moments are the ones that bring happiness in the long run and highlight the joy in living.

The Italians know the importance of enjoying good food and good company and the pleasures of being idle. The Sweetness of Doing Nothing will share this philosophy, with recipes, suggestions and advice to help you to let go of anxiety and savor life’s precious moments.

by Peter D'Epiro & Mary Louise Pinkowish

Holly's review:

A fascinating journey from the Roman calendar to Maria Montessori's educational innovations. 

Amazon write up:

A witty, erudite celebration of fifty great Italian cultural achievements that have significantly influenced Western civilization from the authors of What Are the Seven Wonders of the World?

The word "sprezzatura," or the art of effortless mastery, was coined in 1528 by Baldassare Castiglione in The Book of the Courtier. No one has demonstrated effortless mastery throughout history quite like the Italians. From the Roman calendar and the creator of the modern orchestra (Claudio Monteverdi) to the beginnings of ballet and the creator of modern political science (Niccolò Machiavelli), Sprezzatura highlights fifty great Italian cultural achievements in a series of fifty information-packed essays in chronological order. 

by Barry Tomalin

Holly's review:

 From festivals to daily life – a comprehensive look into the heart of Italy.  

Amazon write up:

Italy delights and stimulates with its magnificent cities and monuments, stunningly beautiful landscapes, the glory of its art and architecture, the richness and variety of its food, the elegance of its design and fashion, and the vitality and charm of its people. Italian style and culture have been exported all over the world.

At home, however, Italian society and politics are facing challenges as the country struggles to maintain its standard of living, the stability of its currency, and its ability to provide jobs. The influx of refugees across the Mediterranean is putting pressure on both its social fabric and its economy.

Culture Smart! Italy is an insider’s guide to their daily lives, passions, and preoccupations. It introduces you to their history and culture and provides vital information and practical tips to help smooth your path in different social situations.

by J P O'Connell

Holly's review:

Set in the 1920s, experience the challenges and intrigues of a British family running a hotel on the Italian Riviera. 

Amazon write up:

For fans of Downton Abbey and The Crown … welcome to Hotel Portofino, where romance, revelry, and intrigue await.

Hotel Portofino is now a six-episode TV series that began airing on PBS on May 19, 2022.

A heady historical drama about a British family who open an upper-class hotel on the magical Italian Riviera during the Roaring Twenties.

Hotel Portofino has been open for only a few weeks, but already the problems are mounting for its owner Bella Ainsworth. Her high-class guests are demanding and hard to please. And she’s being targeted by a scheming and corrupt local politician, who threatens to drag her into the red-hot cauldron of Mussolini’s Italy.

To make matters worse, her marriage is in trouble, and her children are still struggling to recover from the repercussions of the Great War. All eyes are on the arrival of a potential love match for her son Lucian, but events don’t go to plan, which will have far-reaching consequences for the whole family.

Set in the breathtakingly beautiful Italian Riviera, Hotel Portofino is a story of personal awakening at a time of global upheaval and of the liberating influence of Italy’s enchanting culture, climate, and cuisine on British “innocents abroad.”

by Michelle Damiani

Holly's review:

Delve into a captivating series set in a quaint Italian village in Umbria, filled with romance, drama, and secrets. 

Amazon write up:

Warm Italian sunshine casts long shadows…

In the sleepy Italian village of Santa Lucia, espresso-serving Chiara has always been the one to turn to for the juiciest gossip. But when secrets hidden in the heart of the village start to unravel, Chiara finds herself in the middle of a brewing conflict that could threaten the lives of everyone in the town.

As romances blossom and tensions rise, Chiara soon finds that not all secrets are meant to stay hidden. Will the exploding revelations prove deadly?

Santa Lucia is the gripping story of a town on the brink of change and the villagers that call it home.

"Santa Lucia is a wonderful, sprawling, satisfying novel....This was my favorite novel of 2017." -- Caseful of Clues

"One of those books that keeps you awake at night reading. Loved the characters and the story."

"Santa Lucia brings small town Italy to life!"

by Michelle Damiani

Holly's review:

Delve into a captivating series set in a quaint Italian village in Umbria, filled with romance, drama, and secrets. 

Amazon write up:

A ruined castle. A town picking up the pieces. And a mysterious stranger who could change everything.

The fire may be out, but smoke and suspicion still linger in Santa Lucia. Though the townspeople still gather for espresso at the town café and swap recipes at the butcher shop, their iridescent blue sky is clouded by a veil of uncertainty and mistrust. The statue of the Madonna, set in a wall outside the café, watches it all in collected silence.

But when New Yorker Alessandro arrives to claim his inheritance, it unearths long buried secrets. His renovation plans set off a chain reaction of dangerous relationships and forbidden romance while exposing explosive truths—not just for himself, but for the people who call this village home.

Will rising secrets destroy village life forever?

"The second book in this series was exactly what I hoped it would be! The rich descriptions of the town, the plot twists and turns, the characters who came alive...this was a great read! I felt like I was in Santa Lucia and knew these characters myself."

"Well done and the twists and turns are unique and spellbinding. Cannot wait for book three."

"I absolutely loved the first book of this series and I couldn't wait for book two! The Silent Madonna didn't disappoint. I couldn't put the book down. I actually stayed up all night to read it! I read very quickly because I was so anxious to find out what happened. As soon as I finished, I started all over again so I can savor every word. I definitely recommend this book, especially if you love Italy!"

"Like meeting old friends in small town Italy. Following the lives of old friends and meeting new ones. Suspense, mystery and romance. I can't wait for the next in the series."

"Falling in love with the people of Santa Lucia. The excitement never seems to end in this small Italian village."

"This second book in the Santa Lucia series is a real page-turner. In fact, I raced through it and then went back and took my time to reread it! The characters are well developed and so is the plot. I cared about the characters and their challenges and triumphs. And the details of life in a small Italian town like Santa Lucia are authentic and believable. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. Brava!"

by Rhys Bowen

Holly's review:

Journey through gripping tales of love, betrayal, and mystery, masterfully crafted by Bowen. 

Amazon write up:

From New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Rhys Bowen comes a haunting novel about a woman who braves her father’s hidden past to discover his secrets…

“Pass the bread, the olives, and the wine. Oh, and a copy of The Tuscan Child to savor with them.” ―NPR

In 1944, British bomber pilot Hugo Langley parachuted from his stricken plane into the verdant fields of German-occupied Tuscany. Badly wounded, he found refuge in a ruined monastery and in the arms of Sofia Bartoli. But the love that kindled between them was shaken by an irreversible betrayal.

Nearly thirty years later, Hugo’s estranged daughter, Joanna, has returned home to the English countryside to arrange her father’s funeral. Among his personal effects is an unopened letter addressed to Sofia. In it is a startling revelation.

Still dealing with the emotional wounds of her own personal trauma, Joanna embarks on a healing journey to Tuscany to understand her father’s history―and maybe come to understand herself as well. Joanna soon discovers that some would prefer the past be left undisturbed, but she has come too far to let go of her father’s secrets now…

by Rhys Bowen

Holly's review:

Journey through gripping tales of love, betrayal, and mystery, masterfully crafted by Bowen. 

Amazon write up:

“Rhys Bowen crafts a propulsive, unexpected plot with characters who come vibrantly alive on the page.” ―Mark Sullivan, author of Beneath a Scarlet Sky

Love and secrets collide in Venice during WWII in an enthralling novel of brief encounters and lasting romance by the New York Times bestselling author of The Tuscan Child and Above the Bay of Angels.

Caroline Grant is struggling to accept the end of her marriage when she receives an unexpected bequest. Her beloved great-aunt Lettie leaves her a sketchbook, three keys, and a final whisper…Venice. Caroline’s quest: to scatter Juliet “Lettie” Browning’s ashes in the city she loved and to unlock the mysteries stored away for more than sixty years.

It’s 1938 when art teacher Juliet Browning arrives in romantic Venice. For her students, it’s a wealth of history, art, and beauty. For Juliet, it’s poignant memories and a chance to reconnect with Leonardo Da Rossi, the man she loves whose future is already determined by his noble family. However star-crossed, nothing can come between them. Until the threat of war closes in on Venice and they’re forced to fight, survive, and protect a secret that will bind them forever.

Key by key, Lettie’s life of impossible love, loss, and courage unfolds. It’s one that Caroline can now make right again as her own journey of self-discovery begins.

by Anne Mueller von der Haegen & Ruth Strasser

Holly's review:

A 600-page visual treat celebrating Tuscany's iconic landmarks, artists, and historical wonders. 

Amazon write up:

Tuscany is a fascinating region to experience art and architecture in a unique and personal way. Literally in every corner of Tuscany, you find century-old churches, castles, beautiful manor houses, and villas. The museums in Tuscany are loaded with incredible masterpieces of art starting from Etruscan to Roman culture, to the medieval art of Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, and Piero Della Francesca. This richly illustrated guide is the perfect introduction to visiting Tuscany. 

by William Wallace

Holly's review:

A lavish tribute to Michelangelo, highlighting his iconic works, especially his Sistine Chapel masterpiece. Ideal for art lovers and history aficionados.  

Amazon write up:

With an engaging text by renowned Michelangelo scholar William E. Wallace, Michelangelo: The Complete Sculpture, Painting, Architecture brings together in one exquisite volume the powerful sculptures, the awe-inspiring paintings, and the classical architectural works of one of the greatest artists of all time. Including everything from his sculptures Pietàs and David to his beautiful paintings of the Sistine Chapel and the Doni Tondo, the book provides an opportunity to view Michelangelo’s work as never before, and to more fully understand the artist who, through his work, spoke of his life and times. The frescoes are specially printed on onion skin paper to recreate the actual appearance of light reflecting off of the plaster walls. The stunning black-and-white photography of the sculptures is printed in four colors to bring out the rich details of the marble. 

The Florentine" is a prominent English-language news magazine based in Florence, Italy. It provides coverage of various aspects of life in Florence, including cultural events, local news, art, food, and lifestyle. Founded in 2005 by Marco Badiani and Helen Farrell, it serves both the local expatriate community and English-speaking visitors to Florence.

The publication covers a wide range of topics, from profiles of notable individuals in the city to reviews of exhibitions, concerts, and restaurants. It also features articles on the history and heritage of Florence, as well as practical information for residents and tourists.

"The Florentine" is known for its high-quality journalism and its commitment to promoting cultural exchange and understanding in Florence. It is available both in print and online, making it accessible to readers both locally and internationally.

"Italian America" is a magazine that celebrates Italian-American culture, heritage, and contributions to American society. It covers a wide range of topics related to the Italian-American experience, including history, cuisine, arts, entertainment, and community news.

The magazine often features articles about notable Italian-Americans, both past and present, highlighting their achievements in various fields such as politics, business, sports, and the arts. It also explores the traditions, customs, and values that have been passed down through generations of Italian-American families.

"Italian America" serves as a platform for promoting Italian-American identity and pride, while also fostering connections within the Italian-American community across the United States. It provides readers with insights into the unique cultural heritage and contributions of Italian-Americans to American society.

The magazine is available in print and digital formats, offering readers a blend of informative articles, interviews, and features that showcase the richness and diversity of Italian-American culture. It is an official publication of Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, the nation's biggest and oldest organization for people of Italian heritage.