Tuscany for Beginners
7 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by Amberkatze from Wien Bezirk 10 - Favoriten, Wien Austria on Thursday, February 2, 2006
Picked this up at the cheap bookstore today. I have been trying to buy some books that I wouldn't normally buy and not always going for the same thing. Not sure if it will be any good but it looked promising.
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Synopsis -
Belinda Smith moved to Tuscany five years ago after finding her husband in bed with another woman. In the months following, Belinda's destiny became clear to her. She would leave behind the dull dormitory town of Tilling, where nothing ever happened. And seek out new and more exciting pastures in the Italian countryside. She would start life again. On her own. She would run a B&B and keep a diary. She would jot down her thoughts, share her ideas and pass on her delicious recipes to the next generation. Battlelines are drawn when rival Lauren, a feisty American, comes to Tuscany with the same idea. And when Lauren's son falls in love with Belinda's daughter, war is well and truly declared.
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Synopsis -
Belinda Smith moved to Tuscany five years ago after finding her husband in bed with another woman. In the months following, Belinda's destiny became clear to her. She would leave behind the dull dormitory town of Tilling, where nothing ever happened. And seek out new and more exciting pastures in the Italian countryside. She would start life again. On her own. She would run a B&B and keep a diary. She would jot down her thoughts, share her ideas and pass on her delicious recipes to the next generation. Battlelines are drawn when rival Lauren, a feisty American, comes to Tuscany with the same idea. And when Lauren's son falls in love with Belinda's daughter, war is well and truly declared.
Journal Entry 2 by Amberkatze from Wien Bezirk 10 - Favoriten, Wien Austria on Sunday, February 12, 2006
Think 'Hyacinth Bucket' (Keeping up appearances) with a bit of David Brent (The Office) and you have the main character Belinda. I really enjoyed this book and it was funny and sometimes Belinda made me cringe. Her diary entries between each chapter were just too funny and I just had to keep reading and find out how it all ended! I also loved the discriptions of Tuscany, a place I would love to visit someday.
I want to send this on to an Italian Bookcrossing friend of mine. I really hope she hasn't read it yet!
I want to send this on to an Italian Bookcrossing friend of mine. I really hope she hasn't read it yet!
Oh what a lovely surprise it was to receive this book in the post yesterday! Thankyou so much Amberkatze for this much appreciated RABCK. I have not read it,though I was aware of the title and was planning to get hold of a copy somehow. I think when I have read it it would be a good idea to do a bookring.
Just about to start reading this title! It looks suitable for reading in the garden after lunch........Perfetto!
If I can get any interest I will then offer it up as a bookring.
If I can get any interest I will then offer it up as a bookring.
An easy read that had me laughing out loud. It is a farce and takes the p... out of the ex-pat community in Tuscany. The main character Belinda is an 'Unbelieveable nightmare of a woman'(quoted from another character in the book). Thank goodness this is fiction as you would not want to stay at Casa Mia! Just don't let it put you off Tuscany.
This title will now continue its travels as a Bookray.
1. Druisillamac UK
2. star11-80 USA
3. bookreadera USA
4. valentina1209 USA
5. Lpree USA OCT 06. Now safely arrived with last member of Ray, so no longer under my care!. I hope this book will continue to travel in the spirit of Bookcrossing.
This title will now continue its travels as a Bookray.
1. Druisillamac UK
2. star11-80 USA
3. bookreadera USA
4. valentina1209 USA
5. Lpree USA OCT 06. Now safely arrived with last member of Ray, so no longer under my care!. I hope this book will continue to travel in the spirit of Bookcrossing.
Journal Entry 6 by LindyLouMac at Post Office in Vetralla to UK, Bookring-Postal Release -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, June 1, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (6/5/2006 UTC) at Post Office in Vetralla to UK, Bookring-Postal Release -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Actually travelling as a BOOKRAY. En route to Drusillamac in the UK
Actually travelling as a BOOKRAY. En route to Drusillamac in the UK
Thanks to LindyLouMac for sharing. Sadly, the boyfriend and I have decided to head to the Algarve this summer but Tuscany is on our list for future holidays :-)
This was a fantastically funny book! It would make an excellent holiday or beack read. I hated Belinda but really enjoyed her bitchy comments. It's an interesting slant on the chick lit genre as the romance story is being carried out by the supporting characters. The diary entries were fantastic as well - what Belinda's perception is and what actually happens are often worlds apart.
The scene with Belinda's Italian welcome all going wrong was so well written. That awful moment when you realise something is wrong with the food is sheer comedy.
Thanks to LindyLouMac for sharing this. I'm keeping an eye out for a copy in the UK to RABCK a friend taking part in Camp America this summer.
Off to star11-80 when I get an address.
The scene with Belinda's Italian welcome all going wrong was so well written. That awful moment when you realise something is wrong with the food is sheer comedy.
Thanks to LindyLouMac for sharing this. I'm keeping an eye out for a copy in the UK to RABCK a friend taking part in Camp America this summer.
Off to star11-80 when I get an address.
Sent to star11-80 via surface mail today.
Received in the mail today. Will start on it tonight, and knowing me, have it finished by the end of the weekend.
This was a cute read. I hated the main character Belinda from the beginning to the end... but that is what made the book. The cast of supporting characters was a hoot. PMing the next reader on the bookray. Enjoy!
arrived yesterday and I'm sooo looking forward to reading it. More soon : )
just wanted to let everyone know this book is still safe with me. I am running a bit behind these days : ( I PM'd LindyLouMac and asked if I could hold the book a bit longer. I am pming the next in line so I can move it on as soon as I finish. I'm really enjoying the book : ) Thanks for your patience.
just wanted to let everyone know this book is still safe with me. I am running a bit behind these days : ( I PM'd LindyLouMac and asked if I could hold the book a bit longer. I am pming the next in line so I can move it on as soon as I finish. I'm really enjoying the book : ) Thanks for your patience.
What fun : D Belinda was perfect. You love to hate her, but you still like her. What a great combination. I think the diary entries helped with that. Honestly, she is just too pathetic to really dislike her. The descriptions are Italy were wonderful (never having been there) and the romance was nice as a subplot. One of my favorite books of the summer.
posted out to valentina1209 yesterday afternoon
thanks again for the extra time with the book-I'm glad I had a chance to finish it : )
posted out to valentina1209 yesterday afternoon
thanks again for the extra time with the book-I'm glad I had a chance to finish it : )
Arrived today - thank you.
10/10/06 - I'm sorry I haven't been able to read this book at my usual speedy pace. I've been suffering from migraines almost daily for the past two months, which makes it very difficult for me to read for long stretches at a time. I am almost finished and by the weekend, I should be ready to add my comments and pass the book on.
10/10/06 - I'm sorry I haven't been able to read this book at my usual speedy pace. I've been suffering from migraines almost daily for the past two months, which makes it very difficult for me to read for long stretches at a time. I am almost finished and by the weekend, I should be ready to add my comments and pass the book on.
As an Italian-American who hasn't yet had the opportunity to visit my ancestral homeland, I relish delightful stories like this!! The author had a wonderful style of writing which transported me to the beautiful setting, making me feel as though I was a guest in the B & B or a member of the community. Belinda was not a likeable person at all, and it's a wonder she had any friends amongst her wonderful neighbors. She ended up with a fate much better than she deserved! The "Mommie Dearest" manner in which Belinda treated her daughter was downright abusive. Yet, that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story, probably because the author was a master at presenting the scenes in a lighthearted and humorous manner. This was exemplified in Belinda's journal entries in which her perceptions of the situation were so far from reality that they demonstrated that she wasn't a malicious person, but rather a misguided one. Very tongue-in-cheek! The Italian countryside recipes that closed each entry was a delightful touch.
Journal Entry 16 by valentina1209 at bookring in bookring, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Friday, October 13, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (10/13/2006 UTC) at bookring in bookring, Bookring -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
This qualifies as release #88 in the Keep Them Moving challenge to read and release books received from other bookcrossers.
passing along to the next participant.
This arrived in today's mail. I have a couple of rings ahead of it, but will read it as soon as I can. It looks like a really fun read, so I'm looking forward to reading it!
I tried to read this, but the main character really annoyed me. But now that I've read the other reviews (and since I'm last on the list), maybe I'll try again after I get these other bookrings read.
I'll get it moving again soon, though! Thanks for sharing it!
I'll get it moving again soon, though! Thanks for sharing it!
