I headed into 2023 slowly. That was always the plan. If anyone is going to take heed of nature’s cold and dark encouragement to hibernate, it’s this blanket-loving individual right here. And I carried this slow intention right through to my new year reading habits, progressing a small amount in an enormous book each day, rather than launching voraciously into something new.
I love Italy and used to go there for holidays a long time ago before children... ! There's something so gorgeously seductive about the Italian way of life. Rome is one of the best places in the world, it's such a beautiful and magical city, a church, fountain or statue round every corner. 🇮🇹 A few years ago I was very into the Michael Dibdin books which are all set in Italy, as well as the Inspector Moltalbano series on BBC. A total joy 🤩
Love Italy too. My friend has just done Rome and Naples over Easter and I’m looking forward to hearing all about it. I forgot about Montalbano. The series might be on iPlayer.
I read the first two in the Neapolitan Quartet. I myself immersed in the grittiness of them but found I needed a break from the intensity of it. I picked up the 4th one in a 2nd hand book shop. I need to get the third to and find my way back into Naples.
Now I hadn’t thought about that Angie … how much gritty is too gritty! I do tend to read a lot more in the summer, so could perhaps afford a ‘palate cleanser’ between each book! The TV show is meant to be fantastic too.
I had been holding back from reading (and watching) anything Ferrante until I could do it in Italian. It has taken four years of living in Italy to get to the level of reading in Italian whereby I don't have to reach for the dictionary at every paragraph. And now that I am able I feel like I can't break the spell - it was such a motivator to keep perfecting my language skills! I'm now using the Napoletano dialect as an excuse to not read it...but soon!
I was so hoping you would respond to this one, Michelle 🇮🇹 And while I don’t get immediate access to your Ferrante insights, I get to be wowed by your patient efforts nonetheless. Now please hurry up and master Napoletano dialect so you can absorb the wealth of Ferrante genius and then come and tell me precisely how amazing she is and why … in Italian, naturally! ❤️
haha if I ever learn Napoletano it will make the headlines. Instead, how about we go run around the beautiful chaos that is Napoli and eat the best pizza on earth and bump into versions of all her characters and be in wonder that anybody can capture any of it in words.
Me too. Immersion in a European city via the pages of a good book is a definite yes! I had no idea there were three sequels to Chocolat now. I think I've only read Lollipop Shoes. Off to investigate, thank you.
Never heard of this author and now I’m going to search for her. Thank you Claire!
You are very welcome! Definitely a bit grubby and gritty, but immersive reads that fully draw you in.
I love Italy and used to go there for holidays a long time ago before children... ! There's something so gorgeously seductive about the Italian way of life. Rome is one of the best places in the world, it's such a beautiful and magical city, a church, fountain or statue round every corner. 🇮🇹 A few years ago I was very into the Michael Dibdin books which are all set in Italy, as well as the Inspector Moltalbano series on BBC. A total joy 🤩
Love Italy too. My friend has just done Rome and Naples over Easter and I’m looking forward to hearing all about it. I forgot about Montalbano. The series might be on iPlayer.
I read the first two in the Neapolitan Quartet. I myself immersed in the grittiness of them but found I needed a break from the intensity of it. I picked up the 4th one in a 2nd hand book shop. I need to get the third to and find my way back into Naples.
Now I hadn’t thought about that Angie … how much gritty is too gritty! I do tend to read a lot more in the summer, so could perhaps afford a ‘palate cleanser’ between each book! The TV show is meant to be fantastic too.
I had been holding back from reading (and watching) anything Ferrante until I could do it in Italian. It has taken four years of living in Italy to get to the level of reading in Italian whereby I don't have to reach for the dictionary at every paragraph. And now that I am able I feel like I can't break the spell - it was such a motivator to keep perfecting my language skills! I'm now using the Napoletano dialect as an excuse to not read it...but soon!
I was so hoping you would respond to this one, Michelle 🇮🇹 And while I don’t get immediate access to your Ferrante insights, I get to be wowed by your patient efforts nonetheless. Now please hurry up and master Napoletano dialect so you can absorb the wealth of Ferrante genius and then come and tell me precisely how amazing she is and why … in Italian, naturally! ❤️
haha if I ever learn Napoletano it will make the headlines. Instead, how about we go run around the beautiful chaos that is Napoli and eat the best pizza on earth and bump into versions of all her characters and be in wonder that anybody can capture any of it in words.
Sign me up, right now! 🙌🏻💫
Me too. Immersion in a European city via the pages of a good book is a definite yes! I had no idea there were three sequels to Chocolat now. I think I've only read Lollipop Shoes. Off to investigate, thank you.
VERY Joanne Harrisish titles! Thank you for the intel x