Ciao! I'm Laura.
  • Journal
  • About
  • Writing
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Journal
  • Books
  • Podcast
  • About
    • Writing
  • Contact

Ciao Amalfi

WRITING · June 22, 2013

Summer Reads for Amalfi Coast Lovers

Last Voyage of the Valentina by Santa Montefiore

The summer has arrived and with it comes some much needed beach time with a great book. I hope your summer brings you travels to a warm and sunny destination … perhaps even the Amalfi Coast! If you can’t make it to the Amalfi Coast this summer, I’ve put together a list of books set on or about the Amalfi Coast to inspire your summer travel dreams. These aren’t your guide books to tell you where to eat or park your sun umbrella. These are the books that make you dream of sailing off to explore the Amalfi Coast when you close your eyes. I’ve included some of my favorite novels, travel books and memoirs set here, along with some excellent works of non-fiction and some cookbooks if you’re feeling hungry for something Amalfi Coast inspired after all that reading!


Novels Set on the Amalfi Coast

My perfect beach read is a novel, one that captures the beauty of a place and weaves a story that you don’t want to leave behind when you finish. One of my favorite authors, Santa Montefiore, has set two of her books on a fictional town of Incantelleria – an enchanting place you won’t ever want to leave!

The House in Amalfi by Elizabeth Adler

Sailing to Capri by Elizabeth Adler

The Night Villa by Carol Goodman (Capri)

Stones of the Madonna by Jan Mazzoni (Positano)

Last Voyage of the Valentina by Santa Montefiore

The Italian Matchmaker by Santa Montefiore (sequel to Last Voyage of the Valentina)

The Deep Blue Sea for Beginners by Luanne Rice (Capri)

Brava, Valentine by Adriana Trigiani (Tuscany, New York City, Buenos Aires and the island Capri)


Travel Writing About the Amalfi Coast

If you’ve got the Amalfi Coast travel bug, you’ll enjoy following Chantal Kelly on her travels along the Amalfi Coast in Gelato Sisterhood on the Amalfi Shore. Here are a few other choices to enjoy, too!

Amalfi Blue: Lost & Found in the South of Italy by Lisa Fantino

Gelato Sisterhood on the Amalfi Shore by Chantal Kelly

Capri and No Longer Capri by Raffaele La Capria

My Amalfi Coast by Amanda Tabberer


Non-Fiction About the Amalfi Coast

Not a fiction fan or just curious to find out more about the history of the Amalfi Coast?

The Mystery of the Duchess of Malfi by Barbara Banks Amendola

Art and Patronage in the Medieval Mediterranean: Merchant Culture in the Region of Amalfi by Jill Caskey

Positano: La città verticale by Romolo Ercolino (I have the Italian, but it’s available in English as Positano: The Vertical City)


Amalfi Coast Cookbooks

How about a slice of Mamma Agata’s famous lemon cake while you’re reading? Here are some cookbooks that highlight the local cuisine in easy to follow recipes so you can enjoy the flavors of the Amalfi Coast at home.

The Lemon of the Amalfi Coast: Recipes History Art by Ezio Falcone and Maurizio Apicella

The Amalfi Coast: A Collection of Italian Recipes by Katie and Giancarlo Caldesi

Mamma Agata: Simple and Genuine by Chiara Lima

Amalfi Coast Recipes by Amanda Tabberer


______________

You may have noticed that I’ve included books set on Capri in this list, but not Naples, Ischia and other spots in Campania. I wanted to keep this list focused just on the Amalfi Coast, but I love Capri so much that I had to squeeze it in. If you’re interested in more books set in this beautiful part of Italy, check out this fuller list of Books Set in Campania that I put together for My Bella Vita. My summer read just arrived in the mail, and I look forward to diving in. When I spotted That Summer in Ischia by Penny Feeny online, I knew it was a must read. I’ll be sure to report back with a review when I’ve finished. Enjoy your summer reading!

Posted In: WRITING · Tagged: Amalfi, Book Reviews, Books, Capri, Positano, Reading, Sorrento

You’ll Also Love

Amalfi Coast Autumn Festivals & Events
The Museo della Bussola e del Ducato Marinaro in Amalfi
Book Review | The Chocolatier by Jan Moran

Comments

  1. Barb says

    June 22, 2013 at 23:09

    Thank you for these recommendations. I will be spending 3 nights in Sorrento in November and am hopeful the weather will cooperate long enough for me to spend a day wandering around Capri, which I never get tired of.
    Fondly,
    Barb in Minnesota

    Reply
    • Laura says

      June 25, 2013 at 12:11

      Hi Barb, Thanks for your comment! I hope you enjoy some of the Amalfi Coast and Capri reads. Capri is endlessly beautiful, and I hope you’ve have wonderful weather in November for your trip!

      Reply
  2. Anita Chapman says

    June 26, 2013 at 15:46

    Thank you for this list Laura!x

    Reply
    • Laura says

      June 26, 2013 at 18:27

      Happy to share, Anita! 🙂

      Reply
  3. LindyLouMac in Italy says

    August 14, 2013 at 20:18

    A great selection Laura, thanks.

    Reply
  4. helen says

    February 2, 2014 at 10:27

    My mum remembers loving a novel set in Capri during a cholera outbreak. It must be at least 30 years old and she said it had a short, possibly one word, title. Can you help me track it down?

    Reply
    • Laura says

      February 6, 2014 at 18:54

      Hi Helen, thanks for stopping by and for your question. Hum, it’s not a novel and it’s much older, but might she be thinking of Axel Munthe’s book The Story of San Michele? if I come across something else, I’ll let you know!

      Reply
  5. Kelly Eger says

    June 18, 2015 at 03:54

    My book club is taking a trip to Italy and we are looking to join up with an Italian Book Club to socialize with. We are a group of 10 and hope to connect with other book lovers.

    Reply
    • Laura Thayer says

      July 21, 2015 at 22:32

      Hi Kelly, That sounds like a fun trip! I don’t know if any book clubs in the area, but if I hear of something I will let you know. Have a great holiday!

      Reply
  6. Ann H. Shea says

    July 21, 2015 at 23:58

    Amalfi coast fiction involving Richard Burton and young actress. Set in small town hotel.
    Forgot title and want to recommend

    Reply
  7. Ann H. Shea says

    July 22, 2015 at 20:55

    Found it! “Beautiful Ruins” by Jess Walter

    Reply
  8. Rob Johnston says

    July 27, 2015 at 03:42

    Thank you very much for publishing this list. It has made gift giving to my wife a little easier. We are fans and frequent visitors to the Amalfi Coast. Praiano once and Positano twice (Le Sirenuse). We are in the planning stage for our third trip next May. Thanks again.

    Reply
  9. TripFiction says

    August 9, 2015 at 19:43

    What a great list and what a wonderful way to connect with that beautiful part of Italy.

    Reply
  10. Gail Terenyi says

    August 11, 2015 at 07:51

    I thought this might be helpful. I was recently on the Amalfi Coast July 2015 for a week and stayed in the town of Amalfi and before I left Australia I booked all my transport but could not find recent information on websites or Trip Advisor ferries from Salerno, where I arrived by train from Florence, to Amalfi. One comment said that the ferry service had not operated since 2013! I then booked a private car & driver which was very nice & reliable but did cost €130. There is a ferry service operating from Salerno to Amalfi to Maiori & Minori & Positano. The cost from Salerno to Amalfi is €8.00 & takes 35 mins. I could then have taken my hotel’s free shuttle bus from Amalfi up the hill to my hotel the Grand Exchelsior, which was wonderful. This is a Travelmar ferry & departs in front of the Salerno station at the wharf on Molo Masuccio Piazza della Concordia. There seem to be departures on the hour from 8.40am all day. This schedule is probably only in the peak summer season. Hope that is helpful.

    Reply
  11. Fred says

    February 5, 2016 at 21:43

    My wife and I will be visiting the Amalfi Coast this May. We hope to walk it. Is there a book preferably a Novel to get us excited and start planning for this adventure.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

Primo Bagno

Trending Now

  • ciao-amalfi-winter-things-to-do Visiting the Amalfi Coast in the Winter – 5 Things You Need to Know
  • Amalfi Coast Travel Positano Beach Spiagga Grande A Guide to the Beaches of Positano
  • Amalfi Coast Webcams New Live Streaming Webcams of Amalfi!
  • Amalfi Coast Beaches Colourful Sun Umbrellas at the Marina Grande Beach in Amalfi - Horizontal A Guide to the Beaches of Amalfi

Ciao!

My name is Laura and the Amalfi Coast is my passion and my home. I’m a writer and photographer who is endlessly inspired by the incredible beauty of the Amalfi Coast. Welcome to Ciao Amalfi!

Ciao Amalfi

  • Journal
  • Moon Amalfi Coast
  • Newsletter
  • Contact

Amalfi Coast

  • Amalfi
  • Positano
  • Ravello
  • Amalfi Coast

Explore

  • Travel
  • History & Culture
  • Food & Drink
  • Shopping

Laura Thayer

  • About
  • Writing
  • Book Reviews
  • Work with Me

Latest on Instagram

A spectacular view of a truly spectacular place as A spectacular view of a truly spectacular place as I flew out of Naples yesterday morning. A little bit delayed due to Winter Storm Olive in the midwest, but I was greeted in central Nebraska by blue skies and flocks of Sandhill cranes and snow geese. “Oh, to love what is lovely” as Mary Oliver wrote about that joyful experience of seeing snow geese golden in a sunny sky. ✨
It’s International Cat Day in Italy, but Puffy s It’s International Cat Day in Italy, but Puffy slept right through it. He’s been such a good cat since we lost Toulouse in September - we’re all still adjusting. This year Puffy will be 15! 🐈
This month’s Ciao Amalfi newsletter is out! A li This month’s Ciao Amalfi newsletter is out! A little bit of a love letter to Amalfi, an excellent book for walking by @robgmacfarlane, February on the Amalfi Coast, and one very dramatic historic photograph. Hope you enjoy the read! {link in bio}

#ciaoamalfi #Amalfi #amalficoast #visitamalfi #visitamalficoast
Woke up with the winter blues and this song I love Woke up with the winter blues and this song I love by Jack Teagarden in my head. 🎶
What 31 days of January morning walks looks like. What 31 days of January morning walks looks like. It’s been gorgeous and windy and stormy and wild - and everything in between. Should I pick a different spot to take a photo a day next month?
Non Amalfi Coast question. Do you wake up in the m Non Amalfi Coast question. Do you wake up in the morning with music or a song in your head? I do nearly every morning and it’s curious to me what shows up. Usually it’s something I’ve been listening to, but sometimes it’s really random, like someone’s left the music room door slightly ajar in the brain. This morning it was a jaunty version of “Loch Lomond” from the 1940s sung by Maxine Sullivan. (You’d think that would be from the random category but I actually listened to it yesterday.) So that’s what was swinging about in my head as I took a walk early this morning. 🎶
Happy Burns Night! I love a country that has a hol Happy Burns Night! I love a country that has a holiday for their national poet. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Here’s one of my favorite poems he wrote.

Musing On The Roaring Ocean
by Robert Burns

Musing on the roaring ocean, 
Which divides my love and me; 
Wearying heav’n in warm devotion, 
For his weal where’er he be. 

Hope and Fear’s alternate billow 
Yielding late to Nature’s law, 
Whispering spirits round my pillow, 
Talk of him that’s far awa. 

Ye whom sorrow never wounded, 
Ye who never shed a tear, 
Care-untroubled, joy-surrounded, 
Gaudy day to you is dear. 

Gentle night, do thou befriend me, 
Downy sleep, the curtain draw; 
Spirits kind, again attend me, 
Talk of him that’s far awa!
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Disclosure

Copyright © 2023 Ciao Amalfi · Theme by 17th Avenue