Reading is one of the best ways to acquire new vocabulary. Indeed, in books words are presented in context, and this makes it easier for readers to understand their use and meaning. Moreover, with the advent of ebooks and e-readers – like Amazon’s Kindle – acquiring new vocabulary is even simpler, since you have instant access to a dictionary with just one touch.
Books are also a way to dive into new worlds, new cultures or new societies. In short, they’re also a way to relax and have fun.
So, in this article I’d like to list five Italian books you might like – by the way, in case, you find them difficult, just remember that these Italian books have also been translated into English.
La solitudine dei numeri primi
La solitudine dei numeri primi, is a book written by Paolo Giordano and published in 2008.
It won the Strega Prize, the most prestigious Italian literary award.
This novel tells the story of Mattia and Alice. Both had traumatic experiences when they were 8 years old. Mattia lives with the guilt of the death of his twin disabled sister, drowned after he decided to left her alone at the park to attend to a friend’s birthday party. Alice, instead, had a skiing accident that almost killed her. The trauma of these experiences leads Alice to be anorexic and Mattia to cut himself. At school, they’re both outcasts. One day, they met and befriend each other, forming a deep connection.
However, years later, Mattia leaves his hometown to go to university and loses touch with Alice. But is it really the end of their relationship?
Seta
Seta is a novel written by Alessandro Baricco and published in 1996.
The book is set in the 19th century and tells the story of Hervé Joncour, a French silkworm who travels to Japan to get new supplies of silkworm eggs. Although he’s already married, in Japan he falls in love with the concubine of a local baron…
Io uccido
Io uccido is a thriller written by Giorgio Faletti and published in 2002.
The book is set in Monte Carlo. The FBI agent Frank Ottobre and the Police Commissioner Nicolas Hulot try to catch a serial killer who mutilates his victims and scrawls the words Io uccido at the crime scenes.
The serial killer enjoys announcing each kill via the local radio station, leaving some musical clues to challenge the police to find his next victim before he strikes again. Will Ottobre and Hulot be able to catch him?
Come Dio Comanda
Come Dio Comanda is a book written by Niccolò Ammaniti and a winner of the Strega Prize.
It tells the story of Cristiano Zena, a 13 year-old, who lives in Varrano with his unemployed father Rino. One day, Rino, and his friends Danilo and Quattro Formaggi come up with a plan to reverse their fortunes: robbing an ATM. However, the plan goes awry and will have consequences on all their lives.
Saltatempo
Saltatempo is a novel written by Stefano Benni and published in 2001.
It tells the story of Saltatempo, a boy with great imagination that one day meets a God. The God gives Saltatempo a gift: the chance to see into the future. The author brings you into the life of this character from childhood to adulthood, describing some important historical Italian phases and periods.
Have you already read one of these Italian books? What do you think about them?
Credits
Original image by Comfreak
Texting in Italian
