Review:If you are a cyclist, then you might enjoy this book more than I did. The author's focus was mainly on how he traversed the Tuscan Hills. I also did not care for the way he subtlety interjected his political viewpoints ( Republican), on farming subsidies. Overall, I would not recommend this book. Not about the Italy I know and love. Read more

Review:I think if you were thinking of visiting or moving to Italy, then this book is a must to read. This story gives the more personal side of living in Italy ..... the nitty gritty bits of life in Italy. I found the school sections quite boring though and didn't think they should be in there anyway. The main story was the B & B and I think that should have been the main focus. The chapters themselves were short, which kept the interest. All in all a good story. Read more

Review:So. Challenging. To. Read. I was fighting back tears of boredom. I wanted to love this book, since it takes place in Venice, but I couldn't finish the book. Writing style is bland, slowly paced. I would not recommend this book. Read more

Review:At first I enjoyed this book because I also learned to speak Italian in my 30s, and I am interested in her perspectives on language and the construction of the self. Did I say self? This was self, self, self, and full of narcissistic repetition. Congratulations, you learned to write 8th grade Italian. Then you gave us the same tired, pseudo-profound observations,over and over. This was at best a magazine article. Clearly translator Ann Goldstein saved the day. Prioprio noioso, anche per una pers... Read more

Review:Great little phrase book -- endless phrases for all sorts of situations. For our 5-day stay in Florence, we didn't need too much Italian, but I still recommend this book if you're going for a visit, no matter how short or long. Read more

Review:Many of us thoroughly enjoy Donna Leon's mysteries set in Venice and featuring Commissario Guida Brunetti. I've always thought Brunetti was an interesting detective because he's convincing as an Italian man (Leon is an American woman, a New Jersey girl), as a happily-married family man, and as a cop in a milieu very different from Harry Bosch's or Matthew Scudder's. Leon has lived in Venice for thirty years and My Venice and Other Essays is just what the title says it is.

Most of these no... Read more

Review:I read Bella Tuscany, by Frances Mayes (she of Under the Tuscan Sun fame), while on vacation. This is the kind of armchair traveling that I love. Mayes writes of Tuscany in language dripping with both adoration and vibrant description. She writes of food, of gardens, of little side trips she and her husband take. It's an easy, quick read, with some recipes sprinkled in here and there that I will probably try. Worth looking in to.

And now I feel that I have to go to Italy in the spring. He... Read more

Review:Loved this book! Loved the snippets of Italian language, the colorful descriptions of landscape and people, and the yummy-looking recipes sprinkled throughout. I've read most of it in one sitting--only had to stop to make dinner: fettuccini and pecorino. Thank you, Frances, for sharing your love, your life and your wonderful gift of writing and taking me back to Italy today. Read more

Review:A charming, funny read. We met Jenny at Poliziano and it's clear why she and Italy are a match! Her observations are spot on and her love of all things Italian (perfect and imperfect) is evident. She's adopted Italian 'ways' and will help you do the same! Read more

Review:Those of us who've been captivated by Frances Mayes and her take on the world have been given a real gift. And if you're a Southerner, expect alarm-bells in your memory. I was counting the days til Under Magnolia was delivered to my Kindle, and I wasn't disappointed...just wish it was longer! Ms Mayes, if you read this, More Please. Read more