Am reading an absolutely hysterical novel and have to share: it's called "Tuscany for Beginners" by Imogen Edwards-Jones (available on Amazon). The main character is an English expat living in Tuscany named Belinda, who owns a B&B and sees herself as the next Frances Mayes (she's even writing a book about her life there). Problem is, Belinda's more than a bit of a misanthrope, and definitely has a delusional view of her own importance. Lo and behold, a wily American woman appears in Belinda's valley, having bought her own villa and planning to open her own B&B...and hilarity ensues.

I stayed up way too late last night reading, and can't wait to read the rest. The "excerpts" from Belinda's book-in-progress between each chapter will have you laughing out loud! It's a fairly recent book, just came out in the US earlier this year.

"Arrivadeary"! --DejaVu

Thanks for letting us know! Always up for a good Italy book

I saw the book in the bookshop a couple of months ago. The cover looked interesting and it seems like a very funny novel.

Thanks for the tip. The book arrives in our local library on Saturday, and I already reserved it, based on your post. Seems like it will be a good light-hearted read for sitting by the fire during the holidays.

Thank you DejaVu!
Sounds great

i visited tuscany in sept 2005 & someone had left this book in my caravan. i read it, quite funny & entertaining, and then i left it on the florence to rome train thinking i hope someone on their way to tuscany finds it!

Thanks for the tip. I just picked up Frances Mayes "Bringing Tuscany Home" from the library and am enjoying that and will check on this one. Another hilarious one set in Italy, especially for foodies is The Food of Love by Anthony Capella. Very funny.

DejaVu, I also read this book. The entire time I pictured Belinda as the Hyacinth Bucket character in the British show, "Keeping Up Appearances".

artlover,

If you can, will you post a brief review of Bringing Home Tuscany when you finish reading it? I really enjoyed Frances Mayes' first two books, but felt that In Tuscany (aside from the photography) was a let down.

Thanks a million

Nobody mentioned "Extra Virgin"? Like reading some of the funniest reports on Fodor's.

That "wily American woman" is most definitely a frequent poster here.

Thanks DejaVu! Very good of you to share ~ possibly a good read on the plane ride over in 54 days.

Mille grazie!

With all the threads about books, we should have an organized Book Club!

Thanks for the suggestion,Dejavu. I just got back from the bookstore where I bought the only copy. On a completely unrelated note, while there I found what has to be the funniest CD - The Environmental Sounds of Crawford, Texas. Now, I realize this isn't exactly travel worthy information, unless you count the Crawford, Texas part "travel". It's my Number One Christmas gift to share this year! (Besides your book suggestion, of course.)

re: "Nobody mentioned "Extra Virgin"? Like reading some of the funniest reports on Fodor's."

Yes, and Annie Hawes has written two more books which unfortunately no American publisher has yet picked up. We were able to find them ("Ripe for the Picking" and "Journey to the South&quot in bookstores in Italy that carry English-language books. I know we could have ordered them from amazon.co.uk, but it was more fun to get them in Italy!

Thanks for the alert on "Tuscany for Beginners" -- I've also got it on request from our library.

Am I the only person who hadn't heard about Environmental Sounds of Crawford, TX? ( I listened to excerpts on barnesandnoble.com) Dorkforcemom, it truly is hysterical; I'd love to send it to selected family members!

Environmental Sounds of Crawford, TX? Seriously? What is that, a cd of Dubya choppin' wood and clearin' brush?

The first track of the CD: Dog Barking
Does that beckon you quickly grab this for your loved ones? It did, me! Now I'm ready for the holidays!

Texasaggie,
I doubt I'll read Bringing Tuscany HOme--I got it for the photos, but boy, some of the recipes look GREAT! Might report back on some of those.

Just picked up Tuscany for Beginners...looking forward to starting it tonight! Thanks again for the tip.

I just finished Tuscany for Beginners, and did like it all the way through. The last chapter works great as allegory! I'm looking forward to seeing if others liked this book as I did and found it as funny.

Next I'm reading Uniform Justice from the Brunetti series...