Illuminare

Insightful glimmers on books, art exhibitions, history, and cultural happenings in Italy

By Alexandra Lawrence

· Launched 2 years ago

Florence in your mind

How to be here (without actually being here) this summer

Jun 15•Alexandra Lawrence

20

6

5

It's hot and I'm pretty tired

Truth talk and a bunch of (mostly) Italy-related links

Jun 2•Alexandra Lawrence

21

6

4

On Interpretation

And a big book club announcement you don't want to miss

May 18•Alexandra Lawrence

17

3

2

The Book Lover's Guide to Venice

I defy anyone to read this and resist immediately booking a trip and/or adding an embarrassing number of titles to your TBR

May 4•Alexandra Lawrence

41

14

5

Fire Signs

The art of smoke, flames, all-seeing suns and more

Apr 20•Alexandra Lawrence

16

4

1

War Cupboard

A few things I am stockpiling right now

Apr 6•Alexandra Lawrence

16

3

1

Beatrice, Veronica and Sarra

Celebrating the end of Women's History Month with more marginalized voices from Italian Renaissance

Mar 22•Alexandra Lawrence

14

5

5

Making our own festa della donna

Women's Day woes and how to remedy them

Mar 9•Alexandra Lawrence

18

5

6

Arrant Idlers

On London, libraries, and Latronico

Feb 23•Alexandra Lawrence

7

2

1

All hail Piero

In which I extol the virtues of artsy Arezzo and give book club info, too

Feb 9•Alexandra Lawrence

19

18

3

Bella ciao

What are we supposed to do now?

Jan 26•Alexandra Lawrence

37

5

1

A Ray of Sun

Or how a medieval saint can inspire us to joy

Jan 12•Alexandra Lawrence

13

14

1

A Few of My Favorite Things

What I've loved in 2025 and what I'm looking forward to in 2026

Dec 29, 2025•Alexandra Lawrence

17

7

Illuminare Book Club 2026

Four works of contemporary Italian fiction for the coming year

Dec 15, 2025•Alexandra Lawrence

9

2

2

Illuminare

Insightful glimmers on books, art exhibitions, history, and cultural happenings in Italy