Journal Entry 1 by herebedragons from Cotati, California USA on Sunday, June 06, 2004

This book was not quite what I was expecting, although I'm not sure exactly what I *was* expecting - but I enjoyed it. It's a memoir of a woman who falls very unexpectedly in love with a Venetian man; well, actually, he sort of "stalks" her, and she decides after knowing him a very short time that she's going to sell off her life in the US and move to Italy to be with him. She uses a lot of descriptive language, and I think she captures Venice very nicely from a somewhat unique PoV - she's not a tourist, but not a native, either, occupying a middle-ground which I found interesting. (Especially since I've thought that I might like to live in Italy someday, myself). She discusses food a lot in the book, as she spent much of her life as a chef, and she even includes some of her favourite recipes at the end of the book. It was engaging, although not entirely satisfying, somehow. 

Journal Entry 2 by herebedragons from Cotati, California USA on Friday, July 02, 2004

On it's way to MandMsMom, via Book Relay. Enjoy! :) 

Journal Entry 3 by MandMsMom from Stamford, Connecticut USA on Wednesday, July 07, 2004

This is a book I had been wishing for and was very excited to find it on the relay! Thanks herebedragons for offering this! 

Journal Entry 4 by MandMsMom from Stamford, Connecticut USA on Sunday, August 08, 2004

This was a nice read. Not my favorite run off to a foreign country book but still a pleasant change from my usual chick lit fare.

I had a hard time liking Fernando. When I saw the wedding picture in the back of the book I think he was a little more likeable. (I had him pictured very differently!) But, he is a little bit of a control freak and I have a problem with that. I think Marlena is a lovely character, even if a bit of a gypsy. I admire her spontaneity and her zeal. I am always fond of a foodie book which this is, but her food is way too fancy for me!This is a nice short pleasant book to enjoy with a good glass of wine!

Thanks to herebedragons for sharing. This was reoffered on the relay site and is now on its way to the UK! 

Journal Entry 5 by ChinaSourcer from Norwich, Norfolk United Kingdom on Thursday, September 16, 2004

Journal Entry 6 by ChinaSourcer from Norwich, Norfolk United Kingdom on Friday, August 12, 2005

Journal Entry 7 by ChinaSourcer from Norwich, Norfolk United Kingdom on Friday, August 26, 2005

Journal Entry 8 by Gooner from March, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Saturday, August 27, 2005

Thanks for arranging the Meet-up, Bren. I was trying very hard not to be tempted by any of the books that were made available, but I had to give in to temptation for this one.

This was a great book: quick to read, engrossing, romantic. Lots of foodie stuff, but lots of Italian (or should I say, "Venetian" as some of the expressions used were local?)

This is going out on a bookring. If you want to be added please PM me.

Batting order is as follows:

1. angellica
2. PurpleRosebud (UK only)
3. Safrolistics (UK only)
4. Daemonwolf
5. LindyLouMac
6. Annelis
7. Gooner

 

Journal Entry 9 by angellica from Worksop, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Received this morning... HELP! I'm drowning under bookrings..... 

Journal Entry 10 by angellica from Worksop, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Saturday, March 25, 2006

I am not sure what I was expecting when I signed up for this. This is nice, relaxing, comfortable read. Not sure if I could be so brave as to leave all my friends and family and live in a foreign country (although, admittedly, she'd visited before)

Will be in the post to purplerosebud today 

Journal Entry 11 by purplerosebud from Petersfield, Hampshire United Kingdom on Monday, March 27, 2006

Arrived in the post today as if by magic! Not sure how you managed it as I didn't mail you my address until last night but never mind thank you anyway. I am really looking forward to reading this book. I have just one other bookring to read first. 

Journal Entry 12 by purplerosebud from Petersfield, Hampshire United Kingdom on Sunday, April 16, 2006

I enjoyed reading this book although I found the style a bit unusual at first. I think if this had been fiction I would have thought some of the things quite unbelievable. I'm left hoping there might be a sequal with a later instalment of their life.

Thanks for sharing. I will be sending it on to safrolistics very soon. 

Journal Entry 13 by safrolistics from Newbiggin-By-The-Sea, Northumberland United Kingdom on Thursday, April 20, 2006

Journal Entry 14 by safrolistics at Daemonwolf in next person in ring - enjoy!, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Saturday, April 29, 2006

Released 6 yrs ago (4/29/2006 UTC) at Daemonwolf in next person in ring - enjoy!, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom

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Journal Entry 15 by AlexInLeeds from Leeds, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Monday, August 21, 2006

THis was received today with a postmark of 16/08/06....?

Anyways, it is here now and I will read it asap to get it moving on to the next reader. 

Journal Entry 16 by AlexInLeeds from Leeds, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Friday, September 29, 2006

Read and reviewed on my book journal. :) 

Journal Entry 17 by AlexInLeeds at book ring in Mailed to fellow bookcrosser, Postal Release -- Controlled Releases on Friday, September 29, 2006

Released 5 yrs ago (9/29/2006 UTC) at book ring in Mailed to fellow bookcrosser, Postal Release -- Controlled Releases

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RELEASE NOTES:

Posting off to the next reader. 

Journal Entry 18 by LindyLouMac from Viterbo, Lazio Italy on Tuesday, October 03, 2006

A pleasant surprise when this arrived today, as when I last looked in August it appeared to have stalled. So thankyou everyone, good to have it on the move again and I will not hold up for too long. I have just started a book but this will be next up. 

Journal Entry 19 by LindyLouMac from Viterbo, Lazio Italy on Saturday, October 07, 2006

A quick, easy and enjoyable read. I am sure that Marlena now loves her 'stranger' but one wonders if she did when she first rushed off to Italy, or was she just infatuated with Venice and all things Italian? He did rather chase her, anyway she follows him back to Venice and LOVE grows!
It appealed to me though because of my own love of Italy and all things Italian, some of the episodes were oh so familiar! 

Journal Entry 20 by LindyLouMac at by mail in To the next participant, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, October 08, 2006

Released 5 yrs ago (10/11/2006 UTC) at by mail in To the next participant, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

En route to Bookcrosser Annelis who is next on the list for this Bookring. 

Journal Entry 21 by Annelis from Kerava, Uusimaa Finland on Monday, October 16, 2006

The book was waiting yesterday for me to come home from work. I am going to Italy in two weeks - not Venice but Florence and this just the right book for waiting my journey. Thank you! 

Journal Entry 22 by Annelis from Kerava, Uusimaa Finland on Friday, November 24, 2006

This is a lovely book! I am half way through now This is just the right kind of book for me being down with a flu after coming home from a two weeks' holiday in Florence. I am almost back there again while reading this book! And the food theme brings into my mind the two days' cooking course we had at Graziella's house on the hills of Antella. One can see Florence down in the walley from her terrace. The hills of Tuscany is a scenery worth seeing at this time of the year as some the trees have autumn colours and some are forever green. Did not Merlene and Fernando move to Tuscany later?
Of course I like to read about Venice, too. It is my favourite among Italian cities.
 

Journal Entry 23 by Gooner from March, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Thanks for sending this one home, Annelis. It arrived safely today. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. 

Journal Entry 24 by Gooner at Ipswich, Suffolk United Kingdom on Saturday, May 12, 2012

Released 2 wks ago (5/12/2012 UTC) at Ipswich, Suffolk United Kingdom

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Released at CoffeeLink at BC meet-up