In the course of the last two years, we have spent a lot of time investigating literary connections to Italy’s capital for our new book, The Book Lover’s...

My Sicilian mamma Crucifessa worked at home selling homes to Italians. She also embroidered and sewed to earn extra cash. My Papa was totally...

The author's journey through language begins in a Spanish class in Barcelona, where Sicilian resonates as a familiar presence. Discovering shared vocabulary reveals deep historical ties between Sicilian and Spanish due to centuries of influence. The narrative explores linguistic connections, memories, and the enduring essence of words, emphasizing the beauty of language as a shared heritage.

The train leaves the station in black and white — a departure that feels eternal. I remember my own small cinema, Arena Re, where summer smelled of dust and jasmine, and I too, like Totò, ran between rows of colored chairs, collecting tickets and dreams.

Having just finished The Magic of Silence by Florian Illies about the mystical, enigmatic Caspar David Friedrich, and lamenting the fact that he never...

A sweet symphony of sounds greeted me when my bus delivered me to Castellammare del Golfo, Sicily. I looked down at my ancestral village—a...

We’ve currently been researching and writing a Book Lover’s Guide to Rome and in the process have uncovered or rediscovered more than a few...

A Sicilian man recounts his childhood spent by the sea and his lifelong dream of swimming across the Strait of Messina. At 54, encouraged by friends, he attempts this challenging swim. Despite initial nerves and humorous mishaps, he succeeds in 52 minutes, 57 seconds, celebrating a momentous personal achievement and planning to improve his time next year.