Let’s Dream of Italy Together
When Heat Becomes Memory
August heat and the sharp sunlight always make me think of Italy — maybe because it was one of the most intense summer heat experiences I have ever had. I remember stepping off a train in Naples and being instantly paralyzed by the temperature, the air so thick it felt like walking into a furnace. The evenings in Bari remain equally memorable: emerging from my apartment at 10pm only to find I still couldn’t quite breathe, the heat clinging to the ancient stones long after sunset.
But memory has a way of softening even the most overwhelming sensations, doesn’t it? What once felt unbearable now beckons as romance. August has become my moment to dream of Italy, to conjure up books and rituals that transport me to the land of lemons and mozzarella — ideally without that blazing Italian sun threatening to melt me into the cobblestones.
A Language Born from Love
It’s also the perfect opportunity to brush up on my Italian, a language I absolutely love but have never formally studied. All I picked up came from a few television shows and the cooking magazines my mother used to get when I was a child. But since children learn so fast through pure absorption, it seems to have stuck with me. For a few years now, I’ve been reading Italian novels in their original publication — quite the treat for a linguist like me, each page a small victory of comprehension and cultural immersion.
So here I am, giving you my mood board that will infuse the whole month with the aroma of La Bella Italia. Consider this your invitation to join me on this literary journey south.
Literary Escapades: Three Windows into Italy
The Land Where Lemons Grow feels like the perfect inspiration for an Italian month. This excellent historical and anthropological exploration of citrus culture in Italian history reads like a rich memoir you never want to put down. Helena Attlee’s passion for Italian gardens, cuisine, and culture transforms what could have been dry historical research into something luminous and alive. The history becomes lighter, more personal, touched by her obvious devotion to everything Italian. I couldn’t recommend this more enthusiastically.
Postcard : When I think of this book, I see the courtyard in front of the Villa Camerata hostel in Florence, with its enormous terracotta pots of lemon trees standing like sentries in the Tuscan light.
Le Lettere da Capri (The Capri Letters) by Mario Soldati — I’m hardly an expert on Italian literature, but this one feels quintessentially Italian in every sense. Reading it, I felt a heatstroke coming on; the action moves slow and lazy, just like an August afternoon in Rome when even the shadows offer no relief. The subject revolves around lust and commitment, sensual with a hint of melancholy woven through. It’s the kind of novel that stays with you for its atmosphere rather than its plot — the literary equivalent of that golden hour light that makes everything look like a Renaissance painting.
Postcard : The picture I associate with this book: the million shades of ochre around the Spanish Steps in Rome, each building holding centuries of stories in its walls.
Il Nome della Rosa (The Name of the Rose) by Umberto Eco — with this choice, I’m slowly sliding into autumn vibes, but it remains my inspiration for August. One of the most famous novels that seemed to be in everyone’s hands during my childhood, this classic has somehow eluded me until now. A historical murder mystery set in an Italian monastery in the 14th century, it promises to be the kind of book that takes over your entire vacation — maybe just what I need to lose myself completely in another world.
Postcard : The image this conjures: The Basilica of Saint Nicholas in Bari, with its austere walls that have been holding secrets for centuries, whispering stories to anyone brave enough to listen.
The Ritual of Italian Afternoons
A mood board at The Ritual of Reading demands some gustatory delights, and what could be more perfect than recreating the sacred Italian ritual of aperitivo? Picture this: the perfect antipasti board laden with prosciutto San Daniele, mortadella flavoured with truffles, a French inspired Camembert di buffala with truffle as well, fresh mozzarella paired with sun-warmed tomatoes and fragrant basil, green olives from Puglia, taralli with their hint of onion, and artichokes that taste like Mediterranean sunshine.
For drinks, while a few years back I was craving Bellinis (remember this video ?), I find myself in the season of basil lemonade — as I mentioned in The Summer Reading Ritual (have you downloaded it yet? It’s completely free and waiting for you). There’s something about that combination of herbal freshness and citrus brightness that captures the essence of an Italian summer evening.
Soundtrack for Dreaming
No Italian mood board would be complete without the right musical backdrop. I’ve created a playlist that doesn’t fear the cliché — I adore the traditional rhythms of the tarantella, those infectious beats that turn even the most mundane morning chores into something festive. I’m also a lifelong fan of the Putumayo collections, with their elegant mix of tradition and ambiance, so you’ll find a little of everything here. Whether you’re sorting through emails or folding laundry, driving to the beach or flipping through glossy magazines, this musical background transforms ordinary tasks into moments of celebration. Have a listen to the playlist I’ve concocted for you and join the festa!
Just click here.
When Dreams Become Reality
My suitcase isn’t ready and I have no tickets booked, but I am absolutely ready for an Italian escape like no other. Sometimes the most profound journeys happen not through passport stamps but through the pages we turn, the flavors we savor, and the rhythms we let carry us away.
I hope you’ll join me all month long for some authentic dolce vita vibes, right where you are.
Until next time, enjoy your reading, and your rituals !
Written by Alexandra Poppy
Writer, reader & curator of The Ritual of Reading
I’m Alexandra, the voice behind The Ritual of Reading. Somewhere between a stack of novels and a half-finished pot of tea, I keep finding traces of the life I want to live—slower, richer, filled with stories. The Ritual of Reading is where I gather what I love: books that linger, places with a past, and rituals that make ordinary days feel a little more meaningful. I write from Paris, where elegant bookshops and old-fashioned cafés offer endless inspiration—and I share it here, hoping it brings a spark to your own days, too.
Staying Connected to Our Reading Ritual
The weekly posts and podcasts of The Ritual of Reading have recently been joined by a weekly article over on Substack (completely free, naturally). Bookmarked Moments by The Ritual of Reading is where I share deeper reflections on my reading life, each piece beginning with a single quote from the books you see me present here on the website. I hope you’ll join our growing circle over there as well — [here’s the link to explore]
And don’t forget about The Summer Reading Ritual — your free guide is still waiting for you to download and discover new ways to find serenity during these warmer months.
If managing different channels feels overwhelming, the simplest way to stay connected is by subscribing to my newsletter. You’ll receive two thoughtful letters from me each month: inspiration for the month ahead and gratitude for the one that has passed, plus a gentle recap of all my recent articles across the various platforms.
August bonus: Starting this month, newsletter subscribers receive a monthly wallpaper designed in the spirit of The Ritual of Reading. Use it on your computer, tablet, or phone as a seasonal connection to beauty and inspiration. It arrives straight to your inbox every first of the month — for once, something lovely instead of a bill to pay!
