Some of my favorite reads

Non Fiction:

Too Much Tuscan Sun, Dario Castagno- A hilarious book about life as a tour guide in Chianti. A great book to help understand cultural differences.

Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert- A woman search for herself spanning across three different countries. Although Italy is only the first stop, this book is worth reading because of the way she makes Italy come alive, as if you were right there with her.

Under the Tuscan Sun & Bella Tuscany, Frances Mayes- A story about an American writer making a home in Italy.

A Thousand Bells at Noon, Franco Romagnoli- Experience Rome through the authors eyes as he returns to the place of his youth.

Travelers' Tales Guides: Italy- A collection of stories about Italy from dozens of authors.

Italian Affair, Laura Fraser- A young woman struggling after her divorce finds love and so much more in Italy.

As the Romans Do, Alan Epstein- Rome through the eyes of an American family as they struggle to set up roots. Very accurate view of Roman culture.

Stolen Figs, Mark Rotella- The author re-discovers the land of his parents in Southern Italy.

Italian Days, Barbara Grizzuti Harrison- A journal of the author's traveling across Italy.

A Thousand Days in Venice, Marlena de Blasi- A story about finding love and a new life in Venice. Complete with real recipes.

A Thousand Days in Tuscany, Marlena de Blasi- The author takes another leap of faith as she and her new Italian husband move into a renovated house in Tuscany.

The Reluctant Tuscan, Phil Doran- Burned out with life in Hollywood and close to losing his marriage, the author moves to Italy to restore a farmhouse and find his inner Italian.

Songbirds, Truffles and Wolves, Gary Paul Nabban- Join the author as he walks the sacred Franciscan Way to Assisi.

Italy Fever, Darlene Marwitz- 14 ways to satisfy your love affair with Italy, written by a self proclaimed Italian addict.

Desiring Italy, Susan Cahill- A collection of stories written by women to celebrate the passions of the country and the culture.

La Bella Figura, Beppe Severgnini- The author helps to reveal the essence of being Italian.

Extra Virgin, Annie Hawes- A young woman's adventures along the Italian Riviera and her experience with living among a different culture.


Fiction:

The Broker, John Grisham- A fast paced book about a man on the run, set mostly in Bologna. A great peak into the language and food of the area.

Playing for Pizza, John Grisham- A cute story about a washed up NFL quarterback who finds himself playing football in Italy.

Angels & Demons, Dan Brown- Before the Da Vinci Code, there was this book. Set in Rome and features most of the great sites in the city.

Biographical Novel:

The Agony and the Ecstasy, Irving Stone- A beautifully and very detailed account of the life and works of Michelangelo. This book will make Florence and Michelangelo's work come to life.

Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling, Ross King- Recounts the amazing four years Michelangelo spent painting the Sistine Chapel.

Brunelleschi's Dome, Ross King- Recounts the incredible story of the completion of Florence's Duomo, an architectural wonder. Reading this will help you appreciate the true genius of this landmark.