finding English books in Italy
 

We will be in major cities in Italy as well as some Tuscany spots. Just curious if I will find discarded books at hotels as I did in France...and places in Italy to buy books in English.

On the last trip I stuffed books in my pockets...no pockets this time..not sure how many I can stick in carryon..

Hi loisco, I have found English language books in Italy in bookstores but there has never been the variety like we have at home. I have had good luck at the Amsterdam airport but that isn't much help to you. I always want to have some books with me also. But why don't you put some books in your checkin luggage? Best regards.

Loveitaly...tell my husband that. We are gone for 6 weeks (1 more to Boston) and I have to carry a lot of tour books too. I do realize I won't find the variety I do at home, but for me, ANYTHING will do in a pinch.

It's interesting that I found Ruth Rendell in a Paris bookstore...never read it at home and now I just love her. I also found a lot in France in the hotels. I am
crossing my fingers.

In Rome and Florence the largest bookstores have English sections. In Florence, the very large bookstore on the Piazza Repubblica has a fairly extensive English section.

We have found discarded books in Italian hotels and bought English titles in local book stores as well.

In major cities there are always bookstores with English-language books. One chain that is in many cities is called Mel's. I like to look for books that were published in the UK but never made it to the US.

For example, Annie Hawes wrote two books after "Extra Virgin" (about living in Liguria) which have not been published in the US, and I bought both of them on our last trip to Italy. I have also found Donna Leon and Magadalen Nabb books (set in Italy) that were not available in the US, although I think most of the Leons have now been published here.

Feltrinelli International in Rome (not far from Termini) has a decent sized English language section. They also have a section of books in English that are set in Italy. I haven't been but have been told the Santa Susanna lending library has a sale of used books (in English) on occasion.

There is a large bookstore near the bottom of the Via Veneto (I am sorry I do not remember the name) which has a good-sized English language book selection.

In Rome, the Lion Bookshop at 33 via dei Greci will be a good place to look. Also in Rome, the Anglo American Bookstore at 102 via della Vite will provide you with a selection of books written in the English language.

Buon Viaggio, Buon Leggere,
BC

yes tuscanlifeedit has it right.

Grazie..I wrote down all the addresses.

There is also an English-language bookstore in Trastevere.Expect to pay a lot!

Almost Corner Bookshop- 45 Via del Moro (in Trastevere.)

I often buy books in train stations, but just about any bookstore will have English books. At times I have found books by favorite authors that I've been unable to find at home.

Keeping supplied with books on a long trip really is a problem if you're an obsessive reader, as I am. I just returned from Germany, where paperback books, whether English or German, are substantially more expensive than at home.

Many years ago, when desperate for a steady stream of books in English, I discovered Messagerie Musicali (who now have megastores in Milan and Rome) had an astonishing range. They were merchandised three and more deep on the shelf: Mrs F and I spent many happy Saturday afternoons stripping those shelves to find out what had been lying at the back, hidden for a couple of years.

They still do sell books, their website claims. Since decent bookshops really can't be relied on in most of Italy, I wouldn't dream of setting foot in the country without stuffing my PDA with ex-copyright classics and without a case full of Waterstone's finest.

But it might well be worth while rummaging through the book section of Messagerie to see if they're still squirelling early-edition PG Wodehouse away

Try the British Library, usually in large cities.

Thanks for all the ideas...never thought of train stations. I guess because in the past, we were always in small stations when I looked. I will definitely do that this time..

There's an English-only bookstore ("The American Bookstore") in Milan near the Cairoli Metro stop.

A thought if you are not shy.

I once stood at the bottom of the Spanish Steps with a sack of paperbacks I had read. I was on a sailboat moored in Fiumachino, and had read every single thing aboard, even the navigation books. I was desperate, so I made me a sign on a piece of paper that said, "English Language Paperbacks to trade. Do you have any you have finished?"

Within moments I was surrounded by people eager to exchange books. Some even pleaded for me to wait while they rushed back to their hotel, but I was "sold out" within ten minutes, and went away with a great haul of novels.

I don't see why this wouldn't work in any tourist center. If this ploy works for you, perhaps you could take up selling roses.

:-)