Suggested Reading

Before your trip

To make the wait until your Adventure date arrives a little more interesting, here is a list of some favorite books about Italy. Enjoy, and I’ll see you on the streets of Orvieto. 

On Italy

Living in a Foreign Language, Michael Tucker, LA Law actor Michael Tucker’s heart warming tale of him and actress wife Jill Eikenberry’s buying and making a home in Umbria.

Passion on the Vine, Sergio Esposito, Wonderful account by an American wine buyer with Italian roots about his travels in Italy meeting great wine producers and the passion they bring to their work.

The Reluctant Tuscan, Phil Doran, A totally entertaining, humorous, true story of a Hollywood writer in Italy, with great insights on Italy.

Under The Tuscan Sun, Frances Mayes, Life in Tuscany.

Women in Sunlight, Frances Mayes, Life in Tuscany.

Marlena de Blasi has written three books on her life in Italy after marrying an Italian. In order they are A Thousand Days in Venice, A Thousand Days in Tuscany, and The Lady in the Palazzo. The last is about the renovation of a building on one of Orvieto’s main streets. (You might see Marlena while you are in Orvieto)

Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert, This book chronicles the life of the author after her divorce. The first part of the book, “Eat” is about her time in Rome.

The Tuscan Year: Life and Food in an Italian Valley, Elizabeth Romer, Life in an Italian farming family with insights on living and recipes prepared in each month.

The Italian: A Full-Length Portrait Featuring Their Manners and Morals, Luigi Barzini, A dated, not particularly light, yet useful book of insights on Italy.

La Bella Figura: A Field Guide to the Italian Mind, Beppe Severgnini, Lighthearted, amusing look at Italians today.

On Travel

The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seeker’s Guide to Making Travel Sacred, Phil Cousineau, An interesting book exploring why we travel and how to make your travel experience memorable.

A daily dose of Italy