On Persephone’s Island is the book that made me change my travel plans 22 years ago and go to Sicily for the first time. It was the beginning of a love affair with the island. I always recommend it to anyone thinking of going.
Hi Elizabeth! It was nice meeting you briefly at the SW3 pop-up at Hotel de la Ville this week. I just subscribed to your newsletter and look forward to reading more!
I stayed in Scopello in the summer of 2012 and it was a dream to eat from the local market and focaccia places around. The west part of Sicily is AMAZING, Erice, Marsala, ancient ruins... the best memories. Thank you!
We used Menfi as our base . Western Sicily is magical and mostly undiscovered as tourists tend to stay on the Eastern side of the island (lucky for those of us who love the West!).
My favorite book of the last few years is Still Life by Sarah Winman. Charming store set in Florence. The new Jane Harper book is out. If you like mysteries, hers are great-set in Australia. Wonderful characters. I’m now reading another book set in Australia The Sun Walks Down. I got it through Parnassus books First Edition Club. I get anew signed first edition each month picked out by Ann Patchett and Co! Demon Copperhead was one of the recent choices. Nearly killed me.
Have you read Lessons in Chemistry? It's great!
Yes, loved it!!
I need to read more books. However, I am very busy reading Substacks! 😀
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. And Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.
Read and loved both!
On Persephone’s Island is the book that made me change my travel plans 22 years ago and go to Sicily for the first time. It was the beginning of a love affair with the island. I always recommend it to anyone thinking of going.
Hi Elizabeth! It was nice meeting you briefly at the SW3 pop-up at Hotel de la Ville this week. I just subscribed to your newsletter and look forward to reading more!
Great meeting you too!
The citrus this year has been INCREDIBLE.
I think you meant chickpea flour fritters, not chickpeas flower fritters!
Just finished reading “Meredith Alone” by Claire Alexander. Leaves you feeling hopeful despite the character’s difficult life.
Thanks will look it up!
Recently read and enjoyed tremendously: Shrines of Gaiety, Chemistry Lessons, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow.
I haven't heard of Shrines of Gaiety, I'll look it up. Thanks!
I love the book list idea! (& thank you for the mention)
The Pedant in the Kitchen by Julian Barnes. Delightful repast!
Will try. I'm not a huge Julian Barnes fan, but you never know.
I’ve never read anything else by him 🙃
I stayed in Scopello in the summer of 2012 and it was a dream to eat from the local market and focaccia places around. The west part of Sicily is AMAZING, Erice, Marsala, ancient ruins... the best memories. Thank you!
We used Menfi as our base . Western Sicily is magical and mostly undiscovered as tourists tend to stay on the Eastern side of the island (lucky for those of us who love the West!).
My favorite book of the last few years is Still Life by Sarah Winman. Charming store set in Florence. The new Jane Harper book is out. If you like mysteries, hers are great-set in Australia. Wonderful characters. I’m now reading another book set in Australia The Sun Walks Down. I got it through Parnassus books First Edition Club. I get anew signed first edition each month picked out by Ann Patchett and Co! Demon Copperhead was one of the recent choices. Nearly killed me.
Love Sarah Winman's books especially Still Life. We think alike..Demon Copperhead a marvel.
Reading Ukranian writer now, Andrey Kurkov. Russia banned his books.
I like history and biography. Finished The Sassoons last week and coincidentally a museum in NYC started an exhibit about this family dynasty.
Will definitely check out Sarah Winman, thanks!
Thanks for all the great recommendations! The First Edition Club sounds fabulous.
Love these book recs, in addition to everything else! ❤️