Patty

For those of you who also read in italian......I have just read a beautiful book that doesnt come out in English until July. Its called 'Nel Mare ci sono i coccodrilli' and its the true story of an afghanistan boy who was abandoned at 10 and managed to survive and arrive here in Italy at about 15. He was a guest on Fabio Fazi recently. An absolutely heartwarming story.

suncycle

Don't know about this, but I do know that Italians don't read much. May explain a few things. Can't help thinking that once I get down to studying the Italian I'll have read more books than your average native. Have recently finished reading (in English) Calcio by John Foot - a history of Italian football which is very readable, even for folks like me who lost interest in football years ago. Thoroughly recommended.

Patty

Am trying to read Eat Pray Love - but have to say I'm having a bit of difficulty. Is it just me - cos apparantely everyone loves this book ? Maybe I'm just having an off day ?

suncycle

From what I read, it sounded bloody awful, so don't beat yourself up.

giodafa

Just remembered I've downloaded this book but still haven't started it.

Lorna at Vicenza

The film is shite as well Patty. I fell alseep and the Italians complained about it as well and all the very heavy and old fashioned stereotyping of Italians in it.

Chiclanagir

Just finished UR by Stephen King, a novella on Kindle. Really, really good especially if you own a Kindle - beware if it is pink!

Sing You Home by Jodie Picoult - thought if was a little slow to start with but then it galloped along and left me with a large lump in my throat.

Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill (Stephen King´s son) - excellent thoroughly enjoyed this horror if you are a King fan it is definitely worth trying.

Tried A Secret Kept by Tatiana de Rosney, the author of Sarah´s Key which was brilliant but could I get in to this one - no, it just went on and on and nothing happened so gave up in the en d.

Patty

makes you wonder how on earth some books get published doesn't it ?

Am still trying to get through Eat Love Pray - but keep picking up other books in between (just read another great Val McDermid ) - I doubt that I'm going to be able to finish it My favourite Val Mc Dermid was A Place of Execution.

Chiclanagir

It´s horses for courses............Haven´t read Eat Love Pray but a friend did and didn´t like it............thought it was too me, me, me, look at me.

Patty

Your friend is spot on - cos those are the exact words I said to my daughter

A really good book that I have read twice ( sad I know) is called Mutant Message down under by Marlo Morgan. There is controversy about how truthful the book is - but its still a good read and for me, more thought provoking than Eat blah blah!

Patty

Can anyone help me cos I've lost my marbles I'm desperately trying to remember in which Bill Bryson book I read a page which explains about Italy having non stop rain for 6 months in about the 14th century. I've got practically all his books but I cant for the life of me remember where I read it.
It was really interesting and I wanted to show it to some of my students.

MarkRD

The film was dreadful ... talk about American stereotype images of Italy!

MarkRD

Anyone know of a good home for used and unwanted English language books (mostly paperbacks) in Italy?

If anyone has a school or second-hand bookshop I'd be glad to contribute.

thanks

HADENOUGHPIZZA

Ask your local library if they have an english section . Thats where I take unwanted stuff

MarkRD

Good idea..their "English section" needs a bit of updating. Mind you staff are so cold and unfriendly . .I'm afraid they might bite, or make me fill out complicated forms or summat.