Eleonora

I couldn't say it better, Many!! He's not even a writer, he's just a person who use words to earn money, giving thousands of teenagers terrible stories. But I'm not too sure which book I would absolutely save, they are too much to pick only one out. I'll think about it and then I'll let you all know.

I know how you feel Laura.. I send you my hugs

I'm so sorry for you, Athena, I know what it means. I'm living a good period right now and if things don't change, I'll go there in September and I'll try to make you feel the experience through my words and descriptions, ok? You're very welcome!

I used to skip pages when I was at school and had to read all those boring books of italian classic literature: pages and pages of nothing were definitely too much for me at that time. But I don't do that anymore, mainly because now I choose what to read and then, well, I don't read italian classics now I can avoid them!!

Yes, I'll go there because is just 50 km from my place and the events are not so expensive. It's a great event in a wonderful city. I've just checked the dates and it will take place from 4th to 8th september. I know it's far, but consider yourself invited!!

Festivaletteratura’s first edition took place in 1997. The idea behind the festival was to create something inspired on the famous Hay-on-Wye, Wales, and Mantua, with all the hostorical places and art, was the final choice. It's a festival with loads of cultural fun, five days of meetings with authors, readings, shows, concerts of artists coming from all over the world. Festivaletteratura is now one of the most acclaimed cultural event: every year, at the beginning of September, writers, readers, thousands of people round up in here. Internationally famous narrators and poet, the most interesting voices of emerging literature and of the younger generations of writers, essayists, musicians, artists will take part in Festivaletteratura. Scientists will take part as well, according to a wider and more curious notion of literature, reaching as far and wide as the distant languages of traditional canon. Since its very beginning, Festivaletteratura has tried to build a more direct connection between readers and writers. In addition to the more traditional events, throughout the years guided tours of Mantua’s historical and cultural heritage have been organized, theatre performances by important authors, poetry readings, events in the original languages, public speeches, brief meetings with authors revealing newly-sketched ideas and unknown interests. Special attention is given to children and teenagers: shows and workshops are specially designed for teenagers or for both adults and teenagers. Big writers are encouraged to meet their little fans. Let me add something about the city, because it's really wonderful! Mantua is the Festival’s backdrop. Its squares, theatres, the interiors of the beautiful buildings, add an incredible value to the whole event. Mantua’s cosy atmosphere brings readers and authors closer. Here are some pics: https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ7gHVVLvHARNUeEDY3UHxzt_xkPwKGXb0QuKlw41wh2TQBFBmB https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTtOOWNDje1WPyNrW1fI6HFq92RJTlUEFZ9lI7INGOuXo0gGoovWw

I decided to re-started Diana Gabaldon, now I found the whole series, so I started Outlander again. I loved it so much when I first read it and I'm glad to find some new emotions in this re-reading. I went to my book group wednesday and we organized our new readings during the summer holiday:among the others, we have a book written by a brasilian writer called Ronaldo Wrobel. The book is Traduciendo Hannah.. that is to say Translating Hannah. It's a story of a jew who fly out in Brasil. He starts translating letters for the government - I think- and he falls in love with the author of the letters, Hannah. I don't have the book right now, I have to go to my library in a few weeks, but the story seems so nice. Have you ever heard about this book? Another question for you.. every september, in Mantova - Italy, there's a huge literature festival, with a lot of guests and hundreds of events. Do you want me to tell you something about it and keep you up date? Well,it would be great if you'd come, obviously, because it's really wonderful, but I perfectly understand that the distance is quite unbereable.. but if you want to know something about it, let me know and I'll start a new topic, maybe in General Chat. If it's silly, just ignore me, ok?

I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do, Kidsmum!! Mine is tomorrow night and I can't wait.

I had mozzarella and tomatoes.. simple, fresh and tasty.

Just change Finnish into Italian and it's perfect for me too. I look for english version of the books too, but having no job the only thing I do is extending my wishlist on Amazon.

I don't mind re-reading books, because I can see different shadows every time I read a story. For example, I read Wuthering Heights when I was only 14 and then again last month and I have to admit I found out a different level of literature and I was able to appreciate the sub-plot much more. What is more, everytime I have to go to the hospital, I take with me Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.. so relaxing.

I can't find most of the book you talk about.. I think the translation is a bit slow. I went to the library this morning but still no shade of Dry. In the meantime I took John Saturnall's feast by Lawrence Norfolk, a book written by Carlos Salem (Matar y guardar la ropa.. something like Killing and look after the clothes) which is about a killer who has to "finish" his work on a naturist beach. The last one seems funny, but I read only 20 pages. I'll let you know.

Thank you very much, my dears! But don't worry too much: I'm fightining and my disease won't win!! And I'm so sorry for your variuos troubles too.. Bobblybear, hayfever really sucks Risingdawn, so sorry for your relationship and for the job. Lidl didn't accepted me too. Athena, enjoy your read-a-thone!!

Best wishes to your parents Chrissy. Just came back from hospital, I had some good news and some bad. The good one is that I can start eating a little more because I was really starving in the last few months. The bad one is that the fat around my heart is still there and it's still crushing it. I have stronger pills to take now and I have to come back to the doc on december to see if the new therapy is ok. Enjoy your weekend, guys!

Frankie, I would like to say so many things .. but I'm not sure I coukd express them in the right way. But you can undersand this... And you're not hypocrite.

It's nice reading all your progress.. go on my friends!!

Thank you very much everybody. It's hard now, for everyone of us: we had bad times in the past and she Viola was the only one who could cheer us up. We all miss her. My other dog miss her too! Tabatha's still looking for Viola everywhere, she waits her on the door when I take her for a walk. Sad! Many, Lucky is really wonderful! Athena, let us know how Pamuk and Boris will feel with their legs.

Viola passed away this morning. I know she feels better now.

I teach italian to children just arrived in my country. And I try to keep teenagers out of the street giving them something to do: especially help other people, especiallt in the towns most hit by the earthquake last year.

I started a book written by Steve Martin. I didn't know he was also a writer! Still waiting for Dry. Never imagine so many people loved Burroughs.

I don't know if it's only because my group has only a 3-months-life and we're too polite because we've just started,but we have a rule: we can't speak only after raising our hand. So no buzzing background.. well, for the moment. I don't mind if the majority of people is in their 50s or 60s, I love hearing their point of view 'cos it's so different from mine: we have different ages and different experience. Once I said I love Nick Hornby, espacially A long way down: it made me think about all the unsuccesfull event of my life and made me feel less alone. A woman couldn't understand my point of view because she actually belongs to a generation in which a job was something the took for granted and she couldn't understand what being 30 today means. The discussion helped me to get into her world and I believe she's more into mine.

That's the problem that concerned me more.. then I found out elderly men think I'm pretty and I have to admit it rises my self confidence!

I didn't watch the whole show, too many song and much work for me to do. I'm listening to all the songs on you tube.. but not all the performances. So Bonnie Tyler wasn't good, was she? I wanted to vote her for the name.. but I couldn't wait the end of the show.

We usually say our impressions, no questions set. We talk for about 2 hours and we are free to connect the book we have read for the group with other stories read in the past. But someone don't even open their mouth, they just listen.. which is usefull if you're very shy. Well, that's not my problem.