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130. Italian for Beginners by Kristin Harmel...

August 13, 2009
italian for beginnersAbout the book:
Thirty-four-year-old Manhattan accountant Cat Connelly has always lived life on the safe side. But after her little sister gets married, Cat wonders if she has condemned herself to a life of boredom by playing by the rules. She decides to take a chance for once, accepting an invitation to spend a month with an old flame in Italy. But her reunion with the slick and gorgeous Francesco is short-lived, and she finds herself suddenly alone in Rome. Now, she must see if she has the courage to live outside the lines for the first time - and to face a past she never understood. It will take an unexpected friendship with a fiery Italian waitress, a whirlwind Vespa tour of the Eternal City with a handsome stranger, and a surprise encounter with an old acquaintance to show Cat that life doesn't always work out the way you expect, but sometimes you have to have fall in order to fly.

drey's thoughts:
Loved this book--it was perfect for hunkering down with a glass of iced tea or lemonade, in a shady spot in the backyard with the breeze tickling my bare feet... =) First of all, TONS of Audrey Hepburn references abound. And I love Audrey Hepburn. Heck, my mom does too, 'cuz that's where I got my name from... *grin* And did you notice the cover? Yes, there's references to Roman Holiday, too.

I really liked Cat--insecurities and all. I empathized when her grandmother embarrassed her in front of the entire church at her sister's wedding. I liked that she matured and grew as the story progressed, that she started taking chances. And I liked that she finally realized that she didn't know everything about her mother, and could leave that piece of baggage behind. (No, I didn't mean her mother, I meant Cat's emotional baggage, lol!) The things she went through, the things she learned--about herself and her mother, the experiences she gained once she opened up to living... I ended the book quite proud of Cat!

This is definitely well-written chick-lit, that deserves a spot on your shelf if you're into the genre. (which is a great segue, don't you think, into the next section?)

Giveaway!
Thanks to Hachette Book Group, I have 2 copies of Italian for Beginners for you...
Rules:
-- Contest is open to US and Canada residents, no PO Boxes please!
-- To enter, comment and share: Do you want to go to Italy? Any particular part? I'd love to go, and all over!! One of these days...
-- Follow for 1 extra entry.
-- Share for 2 extra entries (let me know what & where, please).
-- Do it all before 6:00 pm CST August 26th. Good luck!

Title: Italian for Beginners
Author: Kristin Harmel
ISBN-10: 0446538302
ISBN-13: 978-0446538305
Paperback: 360 pages (ARC)
Publisher: 5 Spot, 2009

Challenges: Pub

66 comments:

Mary (Bookfan) said...

Please enter me in this giveaway, I'd LOVE to read this book.

* meah56 at gmail dot com

* I'd love to visit Florence, Rome, Venice - ok, all of Italy!

* I'm a follower

* I blogged the giveaway in my sidebar at:
http://bookfan-mary.blogspot.com

Pam said...

I've read such great reveiws of this book and it sounds like such fun.

I'd love to go to Italy as I've never been. I'd for sure like to see Rome, Florence, Venice but I think just travelling through the Tuscany region would be fun too. Who am I kidding - I'd love to see all of Italy!

I'm a follower.

I e-mailed my friend, Kathleen, about your giveaway.

melacan at hotmail dot com

Melanie said...

I would love to go to Italy. I want to eat my way through the country. This looks like a great book. Thanks for sharing with us.

Julie P. said...

I am dying to go to Italy. My husband and I said we'd go for our 15th anniversary, but that's come and gone. And now we're taking the kiddos to Disney for out 16th! LOL!

I am a follower too!

bookingmama(at)gmail(dot)com

ColleenFL said...

I'd love to go to Italy. I'd love to see Rome and all the museums.

+1 for being a follower

traveler said...

Thanks for this wonderful giveaway. It would be a dream come true to go to Italy. Trvelling through the entire country and experiencing the history, culture, and culinary delights is what I long for. From Lake Como, to Venice and Tuscany. There is so much to see and feel.saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Laney4 said...

Hi!
Thanks for offering this giveaway. Sounds like a winner!
Yes, who wouldn't like to go to Italy? Of course, I don't even own a passport, but one can dream about it -- or better yet, read about it in books!
seytype [at] hotmail [dot] com
I'm a follower
I subscribe by email

Unknown said...

I think going to Italy would be awesome, just being able to see someplace new and experience the italian culture would be neat. Thanks for the chance to read this book.
-Follower
unforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail.com

Darlene said...

Great review Drey. I'd love to read this and I'd love to go to Italy. I'm not fussy where in Italy-really all of it!

I already folow.
bj19662001 (at) yahoo (dot) ca

Anonymous said...

I'd love to go to Italy. I've been there, to the Almafi Coast, before so I would love, love, love to see more of the country.
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

I would love to read this book. Cat sounds like a character I could easily like and identify with. I am also nearing her age and all the ennui of life glooming above me. it'd be fun to read I bet.
I also always wanted to visit Italy and I even started kicking myself in the butt for not going while I still lived in Europe and it would have been so much easier to take a drive to Italy then. Ah well, you live, you learn. I especially want to visit Venice and Florence and take a ride in one of the gondolas.

lillyswistek@gmail.com

bermudaonion said...

I would LOVE to go to anywhere in Italy, but if I had to choose just one city there, I'd go with Venice. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

bermudaonion said...

Whoops, I forgot to mention that I subscribe in Google Reader!

Anonymous said...

I would love to go to Italy & have
the time to just roam around the
smaller towns soaking up the food
and views. Then take in the larger cities with their art
museums. Please enter me in the drawing & thanks for having it.

I also am a subscriber by email.

jeanereads(at)sbcglobal[dot]net

Paula said...

I so need to win the lottery so I could go back to Italy. Want to spend a week in Santa Margarita on the coast. It's heaven!
I follow your blog thru bloglines.
pjhess55@hotmail.com

Kat Bryan said...

I recently reviewed an Italian travel journal and learned about many fascinating places in Italy, so yes, I'd like to go. I'm especially interested in the old buildings and art but would also love to try authentic Italian cuisine.

I'm a follower.

winterset AT peoplepc.com

Karen H said...

I would love to visit Italy. All regions would be great but particularly the Tuscany!

+1 I am a follower

kkhaas AT bellsouth DOT net

Valorie said...

I am DYING to go to Italy. I have told my family that before I die, I need to go. I NEED to see Rome and Venice. I need to go look at the art and the ruins of the Roman forum. I want it soooo bad it hurts.

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Valorie said...

I follow.

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Sue said...

Italy is the place that I've been telling my husband I'd love to visit for about 15 years now. Someday. I'd love to see it all, especially Cinque Terre. Thanks for sharing the book. It looks very cute.

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

ANovelMenagerie said...

No need to enter me... I have my copy. I can't wait to read it!

Chelsa B. said...

I would love to go! It seems such a beautiful place.

holdenj said...

Yes, I'd love to go to Italy! I'd love to see Venice and the hill areas as well.

Thanks for the entry.

JHolden955 (at) gmail (dot) com

Beth (BBRB) said...

This looks interesting! Please enter me!

I'd love to visit Rome for the architecture.

BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

Beth (BBRB) said...

I'm a follower.

BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

Chris said...

I'd love to visit Italy - I love Florence!!!! I also want to go back to Milan!

Chris said...

Forgot my email address!

danunepthys(at)hotmail(dot)com

Kristen said...

I would love to go to Italy. And if someone volunteered to take me, it seems like it would be selfish to insist on a certain part of the country, wouldn't it? ;-)

Also, I follow in Google Reader.

whitreidsmama at yahoo dot com

Nicole said...

I love to travel and would definitely go to Italy. I want to see it all.

+1 I follow.

Andrea said...

I went to Italy in 2002 and I would love to visit again--especially Rome!

And I blogged about the contest here


belle2211(at)yahoo(dot)com

Amanda said...

I'd love to win! I love Italy and I love Audrey Hepburn..especially Roman Holiday. Sigh. And I have been to Italy! I went to Pisa (saw the Leaning Tower), Rome (loved it), and Florence (just for a day, but my favorite). I still NEED to go back to Florence and see Venice...and then spend a long time on the Italian Riviera just relaxing, drinking local wine, and lolling on the beach. Sigh.

Oh! And I follow you and subscribe by reader. And I'm posting on my twitter account @nybookgirl

Thanks!

kay - Infinite Shelf said...

This sounds so great! I would love to go to Italy. It's one of my "Top 5 countries to visit"! I would love to see Rome, and the Etruscan museum, and, and, etc.

And I also started following you with my Blogger account!

infiniteshelf at gmail dot com

rubynreba said...

I've never been to Italy but I would love to visit every part.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Shonda said...

I've never been to Italy either. I would like to see Venice, Rome and Tuscany.

I blogged about the giveaway on my right side bar.

http://memybookandthecouch.blogspot.com/

I subscribe to your blog through Google Reader.

Thanks for this contest.

Shonda

shonm428@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I've always wanted to go to Italy. Hopefully I'll get to go sometime soon.

I follow.

Kelly said...

Great review! Count me in, I'll head to Italy with you! My sister went a few months ago and brought me back the most beautiful millefiore (sp?) bookmark. She describes the multitudes of museums as "goin' to see more marble nuts and butts.." (Yep...she may have just drank a tad too much wine)

I already follow on Google reader!

Debs Desk said...

I would love to go to Italy. I would most like to go to Tuscany. Please include me in your giveaway.

I am a follower.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net

Unknown said...

Blogged

http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/2009/08/815-book-giveaway-list.html

Esme said...

Everything about Italy is good-I have been a few times and always enjoyed it Cinque Terra is one of my favorite places

chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com

Esme said...

blogged about it at

chocolateandcroissants

chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com

amanda said...

I'd love to go to Italy. I've never been anywhere in Europe before, so any place in Italy would be fine by me.
oheeyore at hotmail dot com

Emma said...

Italian for Beginners sounds wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Thank you.

ccqdesigns said...

My DH and I spent a month in Italy 5 years ago and we did not not want to come home. We started in Rome, rented a car, and went through Tuscany,Sienna, Florence to Venice,and across northern Italy's lake region and ended in the Italian Alps at Courmeyer. Then on into France and Switzerland and back to Milan. Our next trip will be the southern end of Italy. It is such a wonderful laid back country. It is like going back 40 years.

rebecca[dot]cox[at]charter[dot]net

ccqdesigns said...

I subscribe to your blog via google reader.

rebecca[dot]cox[at]charter[dot]net

ccqdesigns said...

http://twitter.com/ccqdesigns/status/3366898538 Here's my tweet!

rebecca[dot]com[at]charter[dot]net

mrsshukra said...

Please count me in!

I've never been to Italy but would like to go to Siena because that was the name of my high school!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

mrsshukra said...

Follower!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

I came here thanks to Mary (your first commenter) when I spotted this book on her giveaways list. I read about it in People last week and immediately added it to my Amazon Wishlist, so had to come on over.

I have visited Italy many times, it's my fave country in the world and I so want to read this. In fact I think I am going to suggest it for my book club I am starting.

I am about to follow, will be back often and my email is

sukie175(at)hotmail(dot)com

Kaye said...

Italy would be the first place to visit if I won the lottery! Lake Como and Palermo are where my hubby's grandparents came from so we'd have to go there. Then Venice, Rome and on to Tuscany. Please enter me in the drawing, puleeeeze.

I'm a follower

florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Ally said...

I'm dyinggggg to go to Italy! Capri and Florence! OMG!

I'm also a follower, thank you!

allygotts567 at hotmail dot com

budletsmom said...

I would love to go to Italy - all over - Rome, Venice, Florence, someday ...

I am a follower

budletsmom at yahoo dot com

DarcyO said...

Yes, I want to go to Italy, especially Tuscany and Rome.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

DarcyO said...

I'm a follower.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

Anita Yancey said...

I don't really care to go to Italy. After living in Germany for 3 years, I have spent enough time away from the good old USA. I would rather do some more traveling here in the states. But I would still like to read the book. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

I am a follower!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

lag123 said...

Tuscany is definitely on my bucket list.

lag110@mchsi.com

lag123 said...

I am a new follower.

lag110@mchsi.com

Natalie A. said...

I'd love to go to Italy! Hopefully one day! :) Thanks for the chance!
coolnatty12@yahoo.com

Natalie A. said...

I'm following!
coolnatty12@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

A great review, please count me
in for this giveaway. Jasmine

jsrogers at shaw dot ca

ossmcalc said...

I have always wanted to go to Italy, especially to see the Vatican.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I follow your blog.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

Entry 1

I have shared with three friends in an email with a cc to you about the Italian for Beginners Giveaway.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

Entry 2

I have shared with three friends in an email with a cc to you about the Italian for Beginners Giveaway.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

The Book Chick said...

Please enter me in your giveaway! I would love to see any of Italy- I crave culture.

jonitathebookchick@gmail.com

+1 I'm a new follower!!!

Renee G said...

I would love to see Italy -- especially Florence.

rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com

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