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The Suicide Tree
The Suicide Tree
Shayla Raquel | 2018 | Mystery, Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
characters (1 more)
descriptions
Knox Kevel is a unique character. A hacker with asthma and who have been trying to get past his parent's reputation. Set in both Florida and Italy. This sci-fi adventure thriller with a bit of romance is hard to label but a pleasure to read. It starts off a bit slow but hard to put down once it starts going.
Now I need to some how find my way to the Amalfi Coast.
  
Mafioso: The Father, the Son (2004)
Mafioso: The Father, the Son (2004)
2004 | Action, Drama, Mystery
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"Alberto Sordi, the star of several early Fellini films, is both hilarious and heartbreaking in this story of a well-intentioned man who gets caught up in a horrible situation while trying to do the right thing for his family and hometown. I love Italy anyway, and so the black-and-white cinematography of Sicily alone is worth the price of admission. It’s one of those comedies that stays with you long after you’ve watched it."

Source
  
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Janicza Bravo recommended Don't Look Now (1973) in Movies (curated)

 
Don't Look Now (1973)
Don't Look Now (1973)
1973 | Drama, Horror, Thriller

"After I saw this, I was certain I was being pursued . . . for months. I think I’ve avoided all of Italy because of this film. The score rocked me to my core. To this day I can not. This film has no chill. The side characters are also really upsetting. It’s peak stressful. Just so wonderful. And in it there is the best lovemaking scene I’ve ever seen in my life and, trust me, I have seen plenty of sexy."

Source
  
The Chef's Secret
The Chef's Secret
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Talk about luscious literature! Crystal King’s new novel, set in 16th century Italy, is a work of culinary, biographical fiction about Bartolomeo Scappi, a man who was chef to popes and royalty, and the legacy he hands down to his protégé, Giovanni. “The Chef’s Secret” is a must read for lovers of historical fiction, and you can find out why in my newest #bookreview on my blog now. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2019/02/15/seasoned-for-stealth/
  
If You Could Go Anywhere
If You Could Go Anywhere
Paige Toon | 2019 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
So we meet Angie who lives in the outback in rural Australia, a mining town called Coober Pedy--famous for its opals. Her grandmother has just passed away after years of struggling with dementia and as her only living relative it's hit Angie hard. Her friend comes over and they decide to drink some of her grandfathers wine and behind one of the bottles they find a letter written by Angie's dead mum addressed to a man in Italy. Reading the letter she finds out that her dad is the man the letter is addressed to and that he never knew about her. Angie is thrilled at the idea of having family back in Italy and flies out to meet them.

The people she meets in Italy welcome her with open arms, ready to accept her into their large extended family. They're a nice bunch of people who want to hear all about her life in the desert and living in a "cave". They show her how to make Italian cuisine and she shares her own recipes with them.

Then there's Alessandro. He's related but not by blood and there's a connection between the two of them. Both want to travel; both lost parents at an early age. But Alessandro had a rough start to life and doesn't want any sort of commitment with anyone or anything.

I loved some of the secondary characters like Stefano and Cristina. They were fun; there arguments over the music that played and their nights out/nights.

I like that this is set in Rome, a city I have visited myself so I understand some of Angie's joy at seeing some of the famous sites. And a little time in Venice, too. Another city I've had the fortune of visiting.

And lastly, cover love! How cute is this cover? I love it!
  
Call Me By Your Name
Call Me By Your Name
André Aciman | 2007 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+
4
6.6 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
So I heard lots of good things about this book. It was being (has been) made into a film. So I thought I'll give this a go. And after the effort it was to read this book, all I can say is, meh.

The were elements I really enjoyed, where I started to go "Ooo its starting to get good" and then I would be dragged back into really abstract ways to describe the scene. I honestly don't mind a bit of well done descriptions of visuals of feeling etc. But this just felt pointless. I think its a very, arty, type of writing and honestly its just not my cup of tea.

The story as a whole, is interesting and would normally be my cup of tea. Over a beautiful hot summer in Italy a young professor finishing off his philosophy book and the son of the people housing him in Italy begin a romantic affair in secret. The concept of the story brilliant and refreshingly new. The execution... honestly, not my style and the writing style really stopped me following the story easily. I just like a bit more instant gratification from my books.
  
Claiming His Pregnant Princess
Claiming His Pregnant Princess
Annie O'Neil | 2017 | Romance
7
6.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Dr Princess Beatrice di Jesolo leaves the man she loves (Jamie Coutts) in favor of the man her family wants her to marry. She leaves him on her wedding day and hides in Italy working at a trauma centre but little did she know that Jamie is also working there. The Spark between then is soon ignited again and little does Jamie know of the extra surprise Beatrice is keeping hidden.

An enjoyable, well-written, super sweet second chance romance and the second book in the Italian royals series.
  
Claiming His Pregnant Princess
Claiming His Pregnant Princess
Annie O'Neil | 2017 | Romance
8
6.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Dr Princess Beatrice di Jesolo leaves the man she loves (Jamie Coutts) in favor of the man her family wants her to marry. She leaves him on her wedding day and hides in Italy working at a trauma centre but little did she know that Jamie is also working there. The Spark between then is soon ignited again and little does Jamie know of the extra surprise Beatrice is keeping hidden.

An enjoyable, well-written, super sweet second chance romance and the second book in the Italian royals series.
  
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Danny Boyle recommended Bicycle Thieves (1948) in Movies (curated)

 
Bicycle Thieves (1948)
Bicycle Thieves (1948)
1948 | Drama
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"To my everlasting shame — the film is so good I hate to admit to it — I never watched it until last Saturday because I was in Italy promoting Slumdog and they loved Slumdog and I felt abject because I hadn’t seen The Bicycle Thief. Nobody asked about it but I ran out and got it the Saturday following. It’s the most beautiful film. Do not be put off by the fact it’s black and white or in Italian. It is the most beautiful film about a father and a son than I’ve ever seen."

Source
  
Georgie is off the Italy in the spring of 1935. She is going to keep her friend Belinda company until she gives birth to her baby in secret. However, when the Queen finds out about Georgie’s plans, she worms Georgie’s way into a nearby house party to Georgie can learn if the Prince of Wales has secretly married Mrs. Simpson. When Georgie arrives, she finds a strange assortment of guests, which include her mother with another mission for Georgie. Can she accomplish any of it?

I look forward to this series because they are always fun, and this book is no exception. As Georgie is heading out to her ultimate destination, we get updates on everyone in her life. This may slow things down for those new to the series, but fans will absolutely love it. Once we reach Italy, things pick up and get very interesting quickly. I love how the global politics of the day was woven into this book while still giving us an entertaining mystery and keeping the tone light as always.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-on-her-majestys-frightfully.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.