The best books to read so you can take a trip to enchanting Italy without having to book a flight

Margo Sorenson Author Of Secrets in Translation
By Margo Sorenson

Who am I?

I spent my first seven years in Spain and Italy, devouring books and Italian food and still speak (or try!) my childhood languages. The Italian language and culture are precious to me—an integral part of my life. Our visits back to Italy, speaking Italian with friends, cooking Italian meals, writing for the Italian Language Foundation's website, and enjoying our community's Italian movie nights maintain my Italian experience. Sadly, I can't be in Italy all the time, but have found some fabulous books that take me right back! Il cuore e italiano—my heart is Italian.

I wrote...

Secrets in Translation

By Margo Sorenson

Book cover of Secrets in Translation

What is my book about?

In this celebration of Italian life and culture, seventeen-year-old Alessandra returns for the summer to Italy, where she grew up. Pressured by her parents into babysitting a rebellious twelve-year-old—ruining holiday plans with newfound American friends—Alessandra resigns herself to a tedious summer in Positano. Her babysitting gig, however, turns out to be anything but boring! Not only does Alessandra fall for the handsome son of the Bertolucci family, renowned limoncello producers, but when a body mysteriously turns up on the beach, the influence of organized crime in Positano becomes frighteningly real.

As Alessandra is drawn further into a conspiracy, she risks everything to protect herself, her family, and those that she loves—and in the process, she finds herself—and her Italian heart.

When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.

The Books I Picked & Why

La Passione: How Italy Seduced the World

By Dianne Hales

Book cover of La Passione: How Italy Seduced the World

Why this book?

If you love Italy—and if you don't love it now, you definitely will—after reading this engaging, vibrant tribute to Italy! Knighted by the President of Italy for her writing about Italy, author Dianne Hales describes the native, inherent passion of Italians—la passione italiana— as the source and nurturer of our civilization's love for art, music, architecture, cars, ceramics, sculpture, design, literature, film, food, and wine. Bursting with talent and passion, the legacy of Italian passion for life in our culture is ubiquitous and all-encompassing. Italy and its passion itself have taken hold of our imaginations, and your imagination will take you directly to la bella Italia, as it did for me, while reading this engaging book.

When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.

Death at La Fenice

By Donna Leon

Book cover of Death at La Fenice

Why this book?

This is the first of Leon's epic mysteries set in Venice, centered around the urbane, clever and engaging, vice-commissario of police, Guido Brunetti. Maestro Helmut Wellauer, a world-renowned conductor dies painfully from cyanide poisoning during an intermission at La Fenice, the world-renowned opera house. Brunetti uses his acumen and wit to discover the perpetrator, all the while introducing the reader to the enthralling culture of Venice, its people, history, and cuisine. I felt as if I were there, at Brunetti's elbow, enjoying a wonderful visit to Venice! And the meals—che meravigliso!

When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.

My Brilliant Friend

By Elena Ferrante, Ann Goldstein

Book cover of My Brilliant Friend

Why this book?

Elena Ferrante shot to the top of the bestseller lists with this incredible book and remained there for months, deservedly so. Reading it plunged me right into my childhood spent in Napoli—sounds, sights, smells, the messy, lovely life I led. Ferrante's plot is wicked smart, and her descriptions of Italy and its culture are a perfect way to visit Italy from your chair. This is the first of her series of four Neapolitan novels, so more pleasure and intrigue await!

When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.

Under the Tuscan Sun

By Frances Mayes

Book cover of Under the Tuscan Sun

Why this book?

Another blockbuster book about Italy, this memoir introduces the reader to the ins and outs of daily living in Italy from the viewpoint of an American. The insights into the Italian people and their wonderful culture are truly enjoyable and written with wit and understanding. Her observations are spot-on and welcome the reader into her adventure. Reading this memoir about the villa she bought in Tuscan will make you want to book a trip to Italy and buy your own villa to renovate!

When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.

Death of an Englishman

By Magdalen Nabb

Book cover of Death of an Englishman

Why this book?

This delightful mystery set in Florence not only intrigues the reader with its clever, twist-filled plot but also with its insights into daily life and culture in Italy. The characters are enjoyable and show many humorous and unique facts of Italian life. Nabb knows her Florence and her Italians, and her ability to describe both make a reader wish to accompany her on her next trip!

When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.

Closely Related Book Lists

The best biographies of American women

Ann Little Author Of The Many Captivities of Esther Wheelwright Ann Little

The best books by women that sweep you to another time and place whether you’re male or female

Rebecca Hazell Author Of The Grip of God: Book One of The Tiger And The Dove Rebecca Hazell

The best books on mysterious time travel

Rebecca Lisle Author Of Stone Underpants Rebecca Lisle

The best books for the intelligent traveller

Tristan Gooley Author Of The Lost Art of Reading Nature's Signs: Use Outdoor Clues to Find Your Way, Predict the Weather, Locate Water, Track Animals--And Other Forgotten Skil Tristan Gooley

Distantly Related Book Lists

The best books on World War One from unique perspectives

Marc Wortman Author Of Millionaires' Unit: The Aristocratic Flyboys Who Fought the Great War and Invented American Air Power Marc Wortman

The best books for insight and ideas into the meaning of life

Tom van der Linden Tom van der Linden

The best books for living a life of purpose

Divneet Kaur Lall Author Of Mastering Creation Using the Law of Unification: How To Create New Creations For A New World Divneet Kaur Lall

The best books to drop the hook and read at anchor

James N. McKean Author Of Quattrocento James N. McKean