I am reading...

Holidays are always a good time to read undisturbed and plunge head over heals into a good novel... Except that in the mountain life starts quite early and the daily walks in the snow and parties are in the end quite tiresome; basically this translates in going to bed exhausted and after all very late since chatting with long-time friends seems never-ending, and thank God for that!

The small book I am reading at the moment is therefore progressing at a slow pace, but this takes nothing away from the pleasure it is giving me! On the contrary, I am reading every page as if it were a precious jewel to be handled carefully and with full-on attention (before my tired eyes close and my head slips off the soft pillow).

Mom Santa placed Rossovermiglio by Benedetta Cibrario under the Christmas tree (and little by little you will find out which presents it hosted, you will see...) all neatly wrapped up in typical library gift paper. Both the author and her book were unknown to me and have therefore been a pleasant and sweet discovery unveiling the strict rules of the aristocratic world in Torino; weddings are arranged and women and men find themselves trapped in air-tight conventions that cover the Italian society with a shroud of formality and moral order. Underneath, reality is harsh and made of suffering, sadness and betrayals. But as Italy is faced with the choice between monarchy and the republic and the end of WWII, the main character's life (her name is unknown to the reader throughout the book) also changes and takes on new paths that will help her breathe and envision new possibilities. This book is all about intertwined History, lives and destinies brought about with a precise and fluent style that will capture your imagination from page one.