Every Day in Tuscany: Seasons of an Italian Life Paperback – March 8, 2011

I was looking for a book that would help me escape in winter to Italy and to plan a trip to Tuscany later in the year. This book did the trick. The author's descriptions took me right to her life in the village of Cortona. Descriptions of the food enjoyed with friends made my mouth water. Her tales of travels to some of the more remote, undiscovered towns invited me to explore them. Loved how she used her obsession with the work of Cortona native Luca Signorelli to blaze a trail across Italy to visit his works.

Frances is a very good writer. I was just in Italy and saw Cortona, where Frances lives, from the highway, while on a bus tour from Minnesota.

Frances Mayes has done it again! A evocative collection of tales of Italy, Italians, food, art, housekepping and good friends. I am biased about Italy - I lived there for two years - and Frances' book makes me yearn for a return. Good to read, and it includes recipes, yumm! And Tuscano is God's place on earth!

Every Day in Tuscany is like checking in with friends you don't actually know, would like to, but don't really need to. The "acquaintance" through Frances Mayes' books and my own familiarity with the Tuscan people and landscape, makes this another interesting visit. Not only does the reader catch up on new developments and a satisfying melding of Americans into Italian community, but also is treated to recipes exploring the tastes of Tuscany. My 5 stars stem from the comfortable enjoyment of this book.

It's ok but reads more like a dairy which, in a way, I suppose it is. Several of the recipes are intriguing and ones I hope to try in the future.

I love wandering through Italy with Ms. Mayes' words. She provides insights and lets you feel like you're walking along beside them. She is one of a handful of special authors whose books I continue to purchase in print form versus for my Kindle. I love the inter-weaving of food with sight and sound and people. I always want to grab the next flight to Italy and walk again around Cortona. One trip there was not enough. Reading Ms. Mayes' books keeps a fond memory alive and fresh. I remember coffee and wine at a cafe across from the Teatro Signorelli; looking with awe around the Piazza del Campo and eating tiramisu that had to be from heaven. Every Day in Italy brings you right to the stones of the streets and the sounds of the people all around you. Read it and take a trip in your mind!

Frances Mayes has done it again! With lyrical descriptions of life in Cortona, Italy, the author of "Under the Tuscan Sun" relates what it is like to live in Tuscany. Each chapter ends with an authentic recipe that Frances has enjoyed with family or friends. With an appreciation for art, history, and cuisine, Ms Mayes delights the reader with descriptions of everyday life in Tuscany. A must read for anyone who has been or longs to go to central Italy!

I hesitated to buy this after reading the review that said Ms. Mayes came off as a "bad American", ranting about a pool going in. This was a very tiny portion of the book, and there were reasons not to want the pool. Yes, it was about a lot of meals - that is what she writes about. And yes, it did go on too much about the art, but it was still interesting. But overall, if you liked Under the Tuscan Sun, you will also like this one. It was good to find out what happened to the people from the first two books.