Friday, March 9, 2012

Friday Finds - Italian Edition (Sort Of)


So if all goes to plan, my husband and I are going with my inlaws on a trip to Italy this coming fall. Rome is definitely on the agenda; other destinations are TBD but for now I got a couple of travel guides and this literary history of the eternal city. If you've been to Rome and have a "must do" to share, I'd love to know!

Coincidentally, my other two finds this week are from my favorite Italian publisher, Europa Editions, though they are not as such Italian books. Boot Tracks by Matthew E. Jones is a crime thriller; Europa Editions call it "A commanding, stylishly written novel that tells the harrowing story of an assassination gone terribly wrong and the man and woman who are taking their last chance to find a safe place in a hostile world."

I also picked up the recent rave These Dreams of You, by Steve Erickson. Folks on the Europa Challenge blog and LibraryThing have been talking up a storm about this unusual, unconventional novel and I thought it was about time I checked it out!

That's it for me this week. Do you have a favorite book about Italy or by an Italian writer? I'd love to know, and I'd love to know what you found, too!

More Friday Finds at ShouldbeReading.wordpress.com.

9 comments:

Sandy Nawrot said...

The only one that pops into my head is The Monster of Florence, a true crime novel. It doesn't shine favorably on the Italian authorities. In fact, it scared me to even go there! God forbid you are in the wrong place at the wrong time. But not a bad book at all.

Zibilee said...

So, so cool that you will be going to Italy! I would love to visit there someday, and hope that you get the chance to see Rome. I don't think I have read much Italian fiction, but I will have to keep my eyes open for you!

R. J. said...

How exciting! I wish I could go too. We visited several years ago and the whole Vatican City deal is well worth a visit. I'm not Catholic, but you don't have to be to enjoy the Sistine Chapel, etc. We also went to Florence, Pisa, Naples, Capri and Venice. Pompeii is so impressive. We didn't get to Milan, but I could visit any of the above and enjoy them just as much as the first time. Everyone should see the Colosseum in Rome also. Keep us posted. I love vicarious experiences which is why I read so much. I can't say that I have any favorite Italian books or authors.

Space Station Mir said...

My mom bought The Betrothed for her trip to Italy, but I also ended up reading and loving it. I'd recommend it no matter what, but especially if you're going to Milan!

Ted said...

Eat fried artichokes at a restaurant in the Jewish Quarter. And, if it still exists, have lunch at Al Cardello di Nicola Giuseppe - Via del Cardello 1 - one of the best meals I have ever eaten! Rome is all about food for me.

Booksnyc said...

Italy! I am so jealous - it is definitely on my must visit list!

Diane at Book Chick Di recently did a Weekend Cooking post about her trip to Rome and it included some restaurant recommendations that would be worth checking out.

Mary said...

Well i'm jealous! Italy and France are two places i want to see sooner rather than later. :) And Europa Editions are some of my fav books too! Right now, i'm reading 'Cooking With Fernet Branca' which takes place in Italy, but is a novel, not a non-fiction book. It's brilliant and fun though, and it's about FOOD! :) again..

Kathleen said...

What a wonderful trip to look forward to! I have never been to Italy but it is definitely on my list!

caite said...

If all goes well, I plan to go to Italy in the fall too! With my bro and sil..we are planning to fly into Venice, and take the train to Florence and Rome. They have been to all three before but I have only been to Venice.