It's no secret that I love books. For as long as I can remember, I've loved books. The discovery, the possibility when stepping into a library or bookstore, the comfort in stacks of books around the house. The time spent with books is always special, whether it be hours that pass while lost in a ...
We’re Writing a Novel!
Well, I really should title this: “We're finishing that novel!” For those readers who know me well, you’re probably thinking, “Finally!” Many years ago I started collaborating on a novel with my mother (that's the we!), who had a beautiful idea for a story set on the Amalfi Coast come to her one ...
The Summer of C
After what has been a long year and a half -- for so many of us -- this was the summer I thought I'd be reading a lot of books and relaxing at the beach. Maybe even reading some of those books while listening to the sound of the sea in Amalfi. (Maybe more than maybe.) Instead, it was the summer I ...
Book Review | The Chocolatier by Jan Moran
The Amalfi Coast and chocolate ... what a winning combination! I was in the mood for something fun and sweet to read this month leading up to Valentine's Day, so I pulled The Chocolatier by Jan Moran off my bookshelf and enjoyed a long distance mini book club reading it together with my Mom. ...
Procida Wins the Italian Capital of Culture for 2022!
This morning ten cities across Italy waited anxiously for the announcement of the winner of the Capitale italiana della Cultura (the Italian Capital of Culture) for the 2022. It was with great joy--and an explosion of cheers and tears--from the organizing committee and mayor, when the island of ...
Book Review | Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan
I love a good romance story as much as the next hopeless romantic. Add in a setting on Capri and I'll be first in line to buy the book. That is exactly what happened with Sex and Vanity, the latest novel by the worldwide bestselling author Kevin Kwan. Of course, Kwan hardly needs an introduction. ...
What’s Cooking? New Thermopolium Uncovered in Pompeii
Over what was a relatively quiet holiday weekend for most Italians, news was released about a recent discovery at Pompeii. The ancient archaeological site has been making headlines lately and just recently I wrote about the new plaster casts from Civita Giuliana. This time the news detailed ...
Happy Holidays from Amalfi
It's early in Amalfi this Christmas Eve morning and the 7:35am church bells at the Duomo are ringing over town. As we wake up here in Italy today it is to the suddenly not so festive color red. That is, red for zona rossa (red zone). According to the Decreto Natale (Christmas Decree), all of Italy ...
Interview with Author Lucy Knott
One of the best parts of Ciao Amalfi has been the way it's brought so many incredible people into my life. Some of them have even become my closest friends over the years. A decade ago that happened via blog post comments and connections with other bloggers. These days it seems most likely to happen ...
Life in Plaster: New Discoveries from Pompeii
Of all the haunting images of Pompeii that have been uncovered in the three centuries since the archaeological site was rediscovered, it is the plaster casts of the many victims that drives the tragedy home to the heart. As we see bodies huddled in fear or sprawled on the floor as they sought ...
