A Month Of Italy: Rediscovering The Art Of Vacation (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
Way more than a travel book, "A Month of Italy", never left me bored and waiting for the cool place or story to pop up. This was a fun read. The stories of Chris Brady and his family exploring Italy over a month as Americans in Europe left me with a profound desire to travel back there, find a villa in Tuscany, rent a motorcycle and get lost in the countryside. The author has a humorous way of telling a story which will generate many images in the mind. Even his descriptions of food made me want to jump on a plane and go get something to eat in an out of the way little village...right now.If you have ever been to Italy before, reading this book will bring back so many familiar feelings of travelling there, even if you haven't been to the exact places he writes about. Only a few places he mentioned I have actually visited, yet the overall ambiance of being there stayed with me as I read the book. And if you have never been to Italy and wish to go for a visit, the read may get you to focus on making it happen sooner than you anticipated...plus you will laugh out loud.The author speaks of his real attraction to Italy being the people and their ways. Mine too. There is no rush about Life there like there is here in most of the United States. Oh, sure...in the cities there are traffic jams and some negative people just like any place...but in Italy, there exists a "chilled out level" that is solely Italian. Go and see for yourself perhaps...and read this very funny book as a primer before you get there.I'm giving the book 5 stars because I could not put it down except when something interrupted me. Few books have ever made me laugh like this one while at the same time created thinking in my core being about how to live life. The book is listed as "Travel/Humor"...I would add "Philosophy". What a great book!Chris Brady spent a month in Italy with his family and after returning home he found it difficult to explain the experience.He wrote in Chapter 38:It would require a whole book to convey what I saw, smelled, tasted, felt, experienced, learned, and gained. I would have to take some serious time to reflect on just what it was that made this the best month of my life. I'd have to find the means to tell the story in a way to help the other person benefit from my experience. I wanted to let people know there is a way to sharpen the saw and come back with a more effective edge than ever. I wanted people to rediscover the art of vacation.Mission accomplished.I learned valuable lessons about how to prepare more effectively for and take the fullest advantage of a vacation. I felt rejuvenated after accompanying Chris through the experiences he shared. I felt a conviction to live better in what he calls "the spaces in between."There is so much more I could say about this book and I think everyone should read it, but I'll wrap up with two points.I love Chris Brady's witty humor. I'm not sure how to explain it, but what I appreciate most about his jokes, sarcasm, or timely reintroduction of a previous idea or experience, is that they are windows to who Chris Brady is. This book is genuine, and humor plays a major role in transmitting that sincerity.The second point is that I would love to read a history book written by Chris. I wish I was there in Rome or in the countryside with Chris sharing the battles, political intrigue, artistic influences, etc. He shares that knowledge in a way that is engaging and enjoyable.I shouldn't be surprised. I mean we're talking about a guy that can speak about economics while making it relatable and enjoyable for the average Joe. I would love to read more from him about history - whether about Europe, the US, religion, or war.
What do You think about A Month Of Italy: Rediscovering The Art Of Vacation (2012)?
The book was full of good quotes. Reading about the culture is the best thing about the book.
—dyn_e
Entertaining and inspiring book. Chris Brady hit it on the head again.
—Aichiaki
So far this is a great book. I want to spend a month in Italy!
—stpark03
GREAT read and perspective on vacationing AND Italy!
—pammie
Good read for the airplane on my way to Italy!
—fishyfish
