Diary of a Tuscan Bookshop: The heartwarming story that inspired a nation, now an international bestseller

Description

'Like Chocolat meets Penelope Fitzgerald's The Bookshop, set in the Tuscan hills... A celebration of writing, words and people: delightful' Mail on Sunday 'Who doesn't want to open up a bookshop in a gorgeous part of Italy? Just add a cosy armchair and a lazy, cold winter's day (each chapter comes with a useful list of books sold)' Stylist, Christmas gift guide for book lovers 'Inspiring about the ways in which our lives can change and our dreams can come true, if only we insist on believing in changes and dreams' Michael Cunningham, author of The Hours 'Romano, I want to open a bookshop where I live.' 'Great. How many people are we talking about?' '180.' 'Right, so if 180,000 people live there, then...' 'No, not 180,000, Romano. 180.' 'Alba... Have you lost your mind?' Conversation between Alba Donati and Romano Montroni, former CEO of Italy's largest bookselling chain Alba used to live a hectic life, working as a book publicist in Florence - a life that made her happy but also left her feeling like a woman constantly on the run. So one day she decides go back to the small village in the Tuscan hills where she was born and open a tiny bookshop. Alba's enterprise seems doomed from day one, but it surprisingly sparks the enthusiasm of many across Tuscany - and beyond. And after surviving a fire and the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, the 'Bookshop on the Hill' soon becomes a refuge and beacon for an ever-growing community of readers. Inspiring and deeply moving, this is both an ode to the power reading and a celebration of booksellers everywhere - the true heroes of the literary world.

Alba Donati worked for years in publishing before moving back to her home village of Lucignana, near Lucca in Tuscany, and opening the 'Bookshop on the Hill', which has since become a refuge for countless readers from all over Italy. In 2020 the shop was included on a list of the 20 most beautiful bookshops in Europe. An award-winning poet, this is Alba's first work of non-fiction.

An eccentric and charming little book... It's like Chocolat meets Penelope Fitzgerald's The Bookshop, set in the Tuscan hills, with gardening tips, interior design ideas and gossip woven in... A celebration of writing, words and people.... In luscious language, the book rejoices in all the things that bring people together... Delightful. * Mail on Sunday * Who doesn't want to open up a bookshop in a gorgeous part of Italy? Just add a cosy armchair and a lazy, cold winter's day (each chapter comes with a useful list of books sold). * Stylist, Christmas gift guide for book lovers * Alba Donati's Diary of a Tuscan Bookshop is not only a work of significant beauty, it's inspiring. It's inspiring about the continuing life of books, and about the ways in which our lives can change and our dreams can come true, if only we insist on believing in changes and dreams. * Michael Cunningham, author of THE HOURS *