Here is a summary of what I am currently reading;

D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths-Authors: Ingri d'Aulaire and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire

A beautifully illustrated introduction to Greek mythology for readers of all ages. The book retells the stories of the Olympian gods, heroes, and legendary creatures. Here you will meet Zeus, Athena, Hercules, Perseus, and many others. I really love this as a first book, kids and adults alike as the stories are presented in an accessible and engaging style.

The Odyssey - Author: Homer

This epic follows Odysseus as he struggles to return home after the Trojan War. His ten-year journey is filled with monsters, gods, temptations, and shipwrecks. Meanwhile, his wife Penelope and son Telemachus await his return. The poem explores themes of perseverance, loyalty, intelligence, and fate.

Salt on Your Tongue - Author: Charlotte Runcie

This memoir is a thoughtful meditation on the enduring power of the sea, and explores humanity's deep connection with the sea. Charlotte discusses the many women in mythology who are associated with the sea in storytelling. The book reflects on coastal life, swimming, tides, and maritime traditions. It also examines how the ocean shapes identity, memory, and culture. Charlotte weaves in her pregnancy and personal experiences with history, folklore, literature, and science.

This book had me a little seasick in the sense that she included many stories in each chapter, which seemed to be like a wave. I was fascinated by the knowledge that she had to include so many references to Greek, African, Scottish, and Irish mythology. I learned many new facts from this book

Circe -Author: Madeline Miller

I heard so much about this book, and I am now very much invested. This is one of the books I have to go back and refer to my D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths to recall all the players in the book. Madeline manages to weave in the many stories of Greek Mythology into this book. This novel reimagines the life of Circe, the enchantress from Greek mythology.

Banished to a remote island, Circe develops her powers and independence. She encounters famous figures, including Odysseus, Daedalus, and Athena. The story explores themes of identity, exile, power, and transformation. Madeline presents a compelling feminist retelling of an ancient myth.

A Year in the World -Author: Frances Mayes

From one of my go to authors, in this travel memoir, Frances Mayes journeys through Europe over the course of a year.She visits countries including Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Greece, and Turkey. The book celebrates local food, art, architecture, landscapes, and everyday life. Mayes reflects on how travel deepens understanding of culture and history.

It is a warm and inspiring invitation to slow down and experience the world through curiosity and beauty.

Reading List

1. D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths — Ingri d'Aulaire & Edgar Parin d'Aulaire

2. Salt on Your Tongue — Charlotte Runcie

3. The Odyssey — Homer

4. Circe — Madeline Miller

5. A Year in the World- Frances Mayes

Why These Books Work Together

These books create a rich journey through mythology, the sea, travel, and the Mediterranean world. D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths provides the mythological foundation, The Odyssey and Circe bring ancient Greece to life, Salt on Your Tongue explores humanity’s relationship with the sea, and A Year in the World celebrates the landscapes, food, and cultures of Europe—especially the Mediterranean region that connects many of the stories and places found in the other books.

Then July hit. It seemed like Italy got so much closer to the sun. Having lived in Jamaica for 30 years of my life, I would say I am quite tolerable of the hot summers. In fact, I can feel the Vitamin D building a resource under my skin. Vitamin D is my happy Vitamin. By mid-July however, after taking a walk to La Bianca from Allumiere and back, a 20-minute walk took an hour!

The atmosphere felt like a thick murky soup. The walk from our house to the Faggeto a wooded park with a steep incline at the beginning of the walk and into the woods had me sweating buckets. A 10-minute stop to sit and regain composure was in order. By the time we got back home, I had a terrible headache and realized the weather had changed drastically. The rest of the week all of Lazio had a code red heat warning. It was a different kind of heat that I am used to leaving my skin feeling crisp and burnt.

Although my Italian friends escape the heat at the beach, they know when and where to park the umbrellino to take advantage of the sea breeze evaporating from the cool Mediterranean sea. I on the other hand have decided to wait out the heat wave that has taken over Italy and Europe in front of my 12-inch fan. It’s the perfect opportunity to catch up on my reading list.

I have a slight quirk. I tend to read many books at the same time. I purchase lovely magnetic bookmarks and place them after I’ve voraciously read for at least 3 days one book. Perhaps it’s because I don’t want the book to finish, or it depends on my mood and what inspires me that day. Reading transports me. I read to learn, motivate and inspire or to take me to another place. My summer reading list was chosen based on what others were reading, motivation books, and a few cooking thrown in.

1. Italian Lessons – Fifty things we know about life now. Written by Italian Beppe Severgnini was a fast read for me. If you call 5 days fast. Recently published in May 2022, the book is put together as 50 short essays on his thoughts and views about the current state of affairs in Italy and globally. I chose this book on an Instagram recommendation by the American author Frances Mayes, who has written many books on her travel and life in Italy. The author of “Under the Tuscan Sun” is one of my favorite travel memoirs. https://instagram.com/francesemayes?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

I like reading books that give me an insight into Italian culture. It is a recommendation that I give anyone moving to Italy. Try to learn about traditions, culture, and current events. Bepe does touch on the politics of 2020  and the pandemic as he summarizes the global events leading up to the Covid-19 pandemic. From a historical point of view, I like that he does not shy away from mentioning controversial topics of these last 2 years Having left America during the pandemic in 2020 I have the perspective as an outsider having lived in both America and Italy that year and I found his comments relatable.

2. Lev’s violin –  An Italian Adventure by Helena Atlee https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce2xGw5KHG7/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= I read Helena’s book The Land Where Lemons Grow and fell in love with her style of historical storytelling. A lot of research is combined into telling her stories on one subject. That book was on the story of Lemons in Italy this book turns to the birth of the violin in Italy.

I have a reason for wanting to read this book, not only because Helena writes beautifully but because for 10 years I have heard the violin being practiced in my home. From the age of 3 to only just recently since he turned 13, I attended all of my son’s classes and practice sessions with the New Jersey Youth Orchestra (NJYO) as he got older. The Suzuki method reccomends that parents play a significant role in the encouragement of violin practices for the under 10. So from when he was a tiny thing with his miniature violin, the progression in size of violins, broken strings and bridges, music sheets, and theory lessons all producing beautiful music has been a part of our lives for 10 years. Now a pilgrim visit to Cremona the birth of the violin is in order. 

First published in 2021 Helena transports you to Cremona on a journey to learn about the history and cultural significance of the violin. It’s in the format of a  detective having fun learning about the violin and Italian culture.

3. In the Kitchen. Essays on food and Life is a collection of original essays written by 13 women food writers. The writers tell how cooking, eating, and writing about food influence their lives.

Published in 2020, the cookbook author Rachel Roddy who also contributed to the stories reccomends it on her Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CZPCCLnNohe/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

I loved these stories which made me aware of how the collection of cookbooks can describe my own journey and relationship to food and life. With tiles such as “Our Grief  Books” and “Ritual”. It’s a book I will read many times over again.

4. The Gastronomical Me by M.F.K Fisher. Chosen because I’m in the midst of learning how to write about food. Mary Frances Kennedy Fisher was a prolific writer on cooking, eating, and travel.

Originally published in 1943. It takes a little getting used to the style of writing as it was written as journal entries from the early 1900s to before World War 11.  She recounts memorable meals shared with an assortment of fascinating characters set against the backdrop of the times in which the essays were written.

5. How to Eat – The Pleasures and Principles of Good Food by domestic food goddess Nigella Lawson. I had to add to my restarted collection of cookbooks most of which I had to give away on moving. If you are like me and love stories that go with recipes, Nigella revolutionized how cookbooks are written.  Every recipe has a story. Written like a sort of diary you can find almost hear Nigella’s voice as she recounts when she first cooked a meal or discovered an ingredient, shopping, or ate with family and friends.  I haven’t quite read through this book as yet as I suspect it will take me longer to get through the 500 or so pages.

6. Tender at the Bone, Growing Up at the Table by Ruth Reichel. Is a memoir that surrounded food.  I have not started this one as yet but will update once I have finished reading. Yes, it is another food writer.  They say read what you want to write which is my task this summer. Learning how to write about this amazing food culture that I live amongst.

7. When we were Birds by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo is my Caribbean choice for June which also happens to be Caribbean Heritage month in America. I recently discovered a Caribbean book club started by Cindy who is also Jamaican https://bookofcinz.com/. If you enjoy authors from the Caribbean check out this site.

I am an avid reader of Jamaican and Caribbean authors as I identify with the writers and their books connect me to my roots.

This book hooked me from the beginning. Even the cover design caught my eye. It is the perfect summer reading material. Written in beautiful prose it’s the story of Darwin and Yejide set against the backdrop of the Trinidad landscape. One reviewer describes it as “a love story,  ghost story and a coming of age story woven into one”. It’s magical, fantasy and beautifully descriptive. I really enjoyed this one.

Let me know if you read any of these books. I’d love to know what you thought. Until next time, stay safe if you are experiencing adverse weather.