Discover the Italian Lifestyle: 3 Books That Show You How
Have you ever wondered if you could adopt the Italian lifestyle? Three recent books suggest not only that it is possible but also offer practical advice on how to do it.
Il Dolce Far Niente: The Italian Way Of Summer
The newest book, Il Dolce Far Niente: The Italian Way Of Summer (Hachette Book Group, 2024), is a photographic celebration of summer in southern Italy. The phrase “dolce far niente,” meaning “the sweetness of doing nothing,” captures a basic tenet of living like an Italian. It suggests taking life slowly and enjoying simple pleasures one moment at a time.
The book’s stunning imagery by British photographer Lucy Laucht transports readers to seven idyllic coastal destinations in southern Italy: Naples, Amalfi and Capri, Ischia, the Aeolian Islands, Puglia, Sicily, and the Egadi Islands. Complemented by a narrative written by Lee Marshall, the book not only tells but also shows the Italian lifestyle.
Why the focus on summer? In the introduction, Laucht explains that she has been smitten with the “calm and chaos” of Italian summers over numerous trips to Italy.
Dolce far niente isn’t confined to one season, but summer is when many Italians best achieve the leisurely rhythms of Italian life. During Ferragosto, the two-week period at the end of August (starting on August 15), many businesses and workplaces shut down so their workers can head to mountain or seaside vacations with friends and family. In fact, some close their doors for the entire month. The hiatus resembles the slowdown that occurs in the U.S. between Christmas and New Year’s Day (except people aren’t compelled to be shopping for gifts.)
The author notes other time-honored Italian terms and traditions that exemplify this philosophy of life. During the passeggiata, Italians take a slow, aimless, walk after dinner to observe passersby and the surroundings. She mentions the tradition of the penninchella (literally, forty winks), a snooze or afternoon nap taken by many Italians after lunch when shops close down until evening.
Evocative photos of swimmers, beaches, and people basking in the sun, without a glimpse of any tourists, appear timeless and showcase the diversity of southern Italians in terms of different ages and walks of life.
This beautiful coffee table book, organized by chapters for each of the seven geographical areas, will appeal to any beach lover or Italy enthusiast. Travelers will especially welcome useful tips on where to eat, where to stay, and what to do if they’re fortunate enough to visit one or more destinations showcased in the book.
Merely turning the pages of sensuous photography offers a jumpstart to anyone seeking a dolce far niente state of mind.
45 Ways To Live Like An Italian
Psychologist Raeleen D’Agostino Mautner, author of 45 Ways to Live Like an Italian (Sourcebooks, 2023), holds dual U.S. and Italian citizenship and works as a stress reduction interventionist at Yale University.
Her how-to book focuses on the goal of achieving la dolce vita, the sweet life.
She writes, “For Italians, the sweet life, or la dolce vita, is the expression of sipping a morning cappuccino while looking out over the balcony toward a brilliant sunrise…the aroma of long-simmering tomato sauce that welcomes you into the table like a warm hug…It beckons you to slow your pace and enjoy the happy moments wherever you find them.”
The book is organized into six major sections, focusing on Italian celebrations of food, time, self, relationships, beliefs, and lifestyle. Based on the author’s observations of the differences between U.S. and Italian cultures, each one offers practical tips on living the Italian lifestyle.
The chapter most attuned to this post highlights the Italian celebration of time inspired by the slow food movement begun by Carlo Petrini in the 80s, which spawned the ideas of slow cities, slow art, slow gardening, and slow travel. She makes the point that Italians with a better quality of life have found a way to be less hurried.
She advocates taking the time to unwind, banishing guilt, and embracing a less hurried lifestyle. Written in the self-help book genre, 45 Ways to Live Like an Italian is a breezy read. The topical format, filled with bulleted lists, makes it easy to browse and read in short chunks.
How To Be Italian: East, Drink, Dress, Travel and Love La Dolce Vita
How To Be Italian: Eat, drink, dress, travel and love La Dolce Vita (Smith Street Books, 2021) distills the essence of Italian lifestyle and culture into a quick and easy read. In doing so, Australian-Italian author, blogger, and food enthusiast Maria Pasquale illuminates why Italy is perennially one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
Accompanied by wonderful slice-of-life photography, the book is broken into nine major sections that define being Italian: live, think, eat, drink, dress, travel, love, have fun and speak.
She introduces readers to terms like passeggiata, the early evening stroll; riposino or pisolino, the traditional break for a nap after lunch, la bella figura, the importance of looking good and making a good impression; sprezzatura, the effortless elegance with which Italians carry themselves, and, of course, il dolce far niente.
Pasquale explains that il dolce far niente is the Italian form of mindfulness. “It’s not about doing, it’s about being,” she explains. She claims it is a mindset that can be learned and mastered. “You can find it wherever you are and in anything from meals to taking the time to sit and chat with a friend.”
Written during lockdown, the book feels contemporary. At the same time, it reflects the author’s grounding in history and political science and her deep appreciation of her family’s customs and traditions.
The book is neither too long nor too short. It is just the right length and offers just the right level of detail to make it eminently readable. It measures about 5×8 and is small enough to tuck in a purse or large coat pocket next time you’re waiting to board a plane to Italy.
Conclusion
These three books offer unique perspectives and practical advice for anyone looking to embrace the Italian lifestyle. Whether through the evocative photography of Il Dolce Far Niente, the practical tips in 45 Ways to Live Like an Italian or the cultural insights in How to Be Italian, readers can find inspiration to slow down, savor life’s moments, and live more like an Italian.
Read the Books
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- Il Dolce Far Niente: The Italian Way of Summer by Lucy Laucht
- 45 Ways to Live Like an Italian by Raeleen D’Agostino Mautner
- How to Be Italian by Maria Pasquale
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