- BY ISSIMO
- August 9, 2023
Summer is the time to slow down, cut your online time (except for reading ISSIMO and shopping our wares!) and delve into a good book.
The sunny season is undeniably the best period to start that thousands-page volume you’ve had on your shelf for a while, pour over a glossy coffee table tome as you sip a Spritz, or simply lose yourself for a few hours into a thrilling sci-fi novel or a romantic paperback. So this month, dedicate yourself to doing just that: Get out, lay down a towel (make it our ISSIMO x Rivolta Carmignani) and let the magical world of literature whisk you away. You’ll feel all the more relaxed and richer for it.
Not sure which book to pick? Here are four we have on our reading list right now.
Best for : Foodies and Hotel Il Pellicano fans
A delicious photography book to lust over – or gift to a loved one and make them dream – Eating at Hotel Il Pellicano is all about food, style and location. Shot by iconic photographer Juergen Teller, it features eleven five-course menus that, through time, have perfectly encapsulated the unique, effortless chic atmosphere of Hotel Il Pellicano. Prepare to have your mouth water, and to feel like booking a stay – and a meal – at our fabled resort on the glittering Argentario coast.
Best for : Aspiring Italians
Essential reading for anyone planning a trip to the Bel Paese, this delightful book by journalist Maria Pasquale distills the essence of the Italian lifestyle and culture in some 200 pages, delving into nine different aspects that define being Italian: living, thinking, eating, drinking, dressing, travelling, loving, having fun and speaking. Witty and informative, it’s a practical compendium to any standard guide book on the boot-shaped country — and a love letter to Italy, Pasquale’s adopted home country.
Best for : Outdoorsy types
If you like the outdoors and have a thing for Italy’s stunning gardens, this beautiful coffee table book is for you. A volume blending texts and photographs to illustrate Italy’s most magnificent gardens and parks, it’s a phenomenal dive into the cultural and natural heritage of our lush landmarks – and true feast for the eyes.
Best for : Milan lovers
Milan’ striking entryways are a key part of the city’s gorgeous and wide-ranging architecture. This book features 144 of its finest, from 1920s gates to 1970s halls, showcasing the sumptuous diversity and splendour that characterise each and every one. A true lesson in timeless design.
