The answer to one burning question has been checked off my to-do list for my upcoming trip to Italy — what to read on the plane. Imagine my delight when a parcel appeared in the mail today containing two books — Desiring Italy (Women writers celebrate the passions of a country and culture) and La Bella Lingua (My love affair with Italian, the world’s most enchanting language).

I cannot express enough appreciation to my dear friend Diane for this wonderful, thoughtful gift. I am blown away by the gesture.