Ciao, Tuscany

Tuscany, Italy

My Mayes Marathon is almost complete. Just of few pages more and I am finished with Tuscany - Under the Tuscan Sun, Bella Tuscany, and Every Day in Tuscany. I hate to say this but I am almost put off Italy by this last in the series. Way too many perfect friends, perfect homes, perfect outdoor meals and the perfect wines to go with all. Not to mention a perfect grandson. And, lest I forget, way too many Italian terms splattered across the pages. Even though she translates, it slows down the enjoyment for me. Frances, you are beginning to bore me but I will carry on to the end.

I did finish The Enchanted April. It was a very sweet book. I think I came to like Lady Caroline the best. And I certainly couldn't see anyone else but Joan Plowright as Mrs. Fisher. Perfect casting there. I have heard good things about another of Elizabeth von Arnim's books - Elizabeth and her German Garden. Another one for the long, long list of Books to Be Read that I keep on my computer.

It seems I have finished three books all at once. Isn't that the way, though. But, oh joy, that just means I will be starting at least three new books from my list.

Plunging Right In

Finished Bella Tuscany and am plunging right in to Frances Mayes's third memoir Every Day in Tuscany: Seasons of an Italian Life. It has been 20 years since she took a plunge of her own and bought Bramasole, her house in Cortona, Italy.

Yesterday, I downloaded my first e-book from my library: Death of a Cozy Writer by G.M.Maillet. It took a bit of time mainly because I had to load two programs, register with Adobe Digital Editions, and then find a website that told me, well showed me actually with a video, how to get the book from my computer to my Nook. Whew! But I was successful and now I have two weeks to finish it. And then it will just disappear from the Nook. Isn't technology great?

Sunshine in My Cart

A trip to Costco usually takes me past its book tables. Of course. I try to abstain from tossing - well, gently placing - a new book in the cart. But Monday I couldn't resist these two.

The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker and Everyday in Tuscany by Frances Mayes.

The first one appealed to me for many reasons. First, the cover is darling. Second, I am from Kentucky and do consider myself a Queen. Third, the author recently spoke at the independent bookstore down the street from me. Unfortunately I was unable to attend, but glad to see that Ms. Whitaker, who is from Kentucky and now lives in Manhattan, was on tour and being supported by Kentucky booksellers.

The second book I bought because I toured Tuscany for two weeks in September 2010 and am totally enthralled with all things Italian. Also, I have Mayes' first book Under the Tuscan Sun and although I haven't read it, I thought to myself, "Oh good. Now I will have two of her books." A true booklover's reasoning.

And finally, I bought the books because it was a gloomy, rainy day and the yellow and blue on both covers cheered me up immensely.

Happy January, Belle!