Posts by Kimberly Sullivan
Do you often remember where you read your novels better than the books themselves?
I’ve already written a post about context reading. The concept is the same as ‘context drinking’ – how that Tuscan wine just tastes so much better when you drink it on holidays on a sunny piazza in Italy than it does when you bring it home to Peoria. When I travel I often look for…
Read MoreBigger than Versailles – the Royal palace at Caserta
I’ve already written about exploring the amazing gardens of the Reggia di Caserta. It had been years I’d been ‘ meaning to visit’, so I was thrilled to finally make it to this royal palace in Italy’s southern Campagna region. After the impressive gardens – DO do do dedicate enough time for a proper wander…
Read MoreBook Review: The Expatriates
I enjoyed this novel following the lives of three expatriate women living in Hong Kong. The Expatriates by Janice Y.K. Lee explores the lives of three women – all adrift in their own way – living in Hong Kong’s expat community. Mercy is a Korean-American Ivy League grad who has been drifting ever since graduating…
Read MoreOutdoor cinema at Piazza Vittorio – Rome
After two years of its absence and semi-absence, I’m so pleased that Notti di cinema a Piazza Vittorio has returned once again. The two screens, often showing four films outdoor on summer evenings is one of those great Roman traditions for Roman summer. The outdoor films run from 4 July – 10 September. I’ve been…
Read MoreBook review: Hidden
This is the third novel I’ve read – and enjoyed – by Canadian author, Catherine McKenzie. Hidden is the story of a love triangle that unravels slowly following the death of Jeff, beloved father of Seth and husband of Claire and possible lover of Tish, a colleague who works at the same corporation, in another…
Read MoreNY cuisine: Eating hotdogs on the steps of the Met
I’ve been dragging my kids to museums ever since they were little. Actually, when they were really little it was easiest, since back then they really couldn’t complain. : ) When I’m back in NY, I always love to go to the museums, and since we are members at the Met (the Metropolitan Museum of…
Read MoreNot a plotter, just a fretter and wheelspinner?
“I hardly do any preplanning, just fretting and wheel spinning Geoff Dyer Had to laugh when I read this writing quote by British novelist Geoff Dyer, and realized I really could relate. I also do minimal planning before a story. Generally, I have a scene or a big-picture idea. I may even have a voice…
Read More‘The most beautiful track in Italy’ – in Formia
I’ve already written about the Italian seaside town of Formia. Formia is south of Rome at the edge of Italy’s Lazio region. Since 1955, it has been famous as the site of Italy’s Olympic Committee (CONI) training center, with a beautiful campus, running track, indoor track, gym and sports facilities that hosts professional athletes from…
Read MoreBook review: The Trophy Son
There was a lot of publicity around this novel by Douglas Brunt when it was released this summer, and I was curious to read it. In this novel, we follow the story of tennis prodigy Anton Stratis. Andre is pushed into professional tennis by his overbearing father, who tried and failed to create a tennis…
Read MoreSand, sun, sports (and Roman poets) in Formia
I had never been to Formia – in southern Lazio, very close to the border with Campagna – before dropping my son off there for a track and field camp. The seaside town of about 38 000 people is in a dramatic spot, developed along the sea with Mount Altino rising dramatically just behind it.…
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