22 Comments
User's avatar
Meg's avatar

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter (very Italy)

Expand full comment
Jean E's avatar

If you’re going to Italy you must read Sicilian Inheritance! You’ll be in the perfect setting for this book! It’s historical fiction with a murder mystery.

Expand full comment
Sarah Gray's avatar

I feel this so hard. my parents are in their mid to late 60s, I love them SO much, and it's been in the last few years where I'm like, "crap, they are aging and getting older." every time I leave after a visit, I get choked up and hug them a little tighter. I even go back in for a round two hug-and-kiss goodbye. I tell myself that aging is beautiful and a lovely privilege. the longer I'm alive, the more I see how my mannerisms are echoes of my parents and grandparents. that's such a privilege to get to see and notice in real time. but it also pulls on my heart.

I hope you have the best trip with your family, and I hope we both have many more moments to share with our parents.

Expand full comment
Anne Marie Bell's avatar

Enjoy every moment with your aging parents! It is a privilege denied to many. (And I just adore how much you adore them!)

Expand full comment
Olivia M's avatar

I love this so much, Isabel, thank you for sharing it! I also just adore my parents and think they are rockstars (my stepdad literally was, my mom, not, but she is cool enough to be!) and realizing that they are getting older feels EXACTLY as you described - like some sort of personal attack that I’m totally unprepared for. At the same time, I think I’m more aware of how much fun we’re having when we’re together and how I can help them now, which is pretty great. Thank you for putting this out into the world. Have an amazing trip!

Expand full comment
Janet Hoffman's avatar

Have an amazing trip!! Enjoy every moment. As I turned 70 this year too I can relate from the parent perspective!! Continue enjoying those parents!!❤️

Expand full comment
Kelly's avatar

Here are a few book recommendations: "Romantic Comedy" by Curtis Sittenfeld, "Carrie Soto is Back" by Taylor Jenkins Reid & "Project Hail Mary" by Andy Weir. These are all fiction and great reads. "The Puma Years" by Laura Coleman which is based on a women's real life relationship with a puma. I loved this immensely and couldn't put it down.

Expand full comment
Ruth C's avatar

What a set of parents. So cool!!! Have a fantastic trip!!!!

Expand full comment
Libby Fisher's avatar

Amazing, as always!

I just finished The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren. It's a silly, fun, tropical island romance. Think Pretty Woman meets Succession. Really quick read, no brain power required.

Expand full comment
Lizzy's avatar

If you haven’t read “The Midnight Library”, that is a fantastic travel book. Also would recommend “Less” by Andrew Sean Greer.

Expand full comment
Lisa Luther's avatar

Have a fantastic trip!!!

Expand full comment
Wendy's avatar

Enjoy your trip with your family!

Expand full comment
Amy L's avatar

I understand the aging parent thing. Luckily both of my parents are still here, but I lost my stepdad last year. That was our first big loss. Now it’s basically just me and my mom on her side. The family just keeps getting smaller and smaller. She’s still in good health but body parts are starting to give her problems. Everything changes so fast before you know it.

Book recs: Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez. Expiration Dates by Rebecca Searle. Her second book is set in Italy. It’s good too.

I hope you all have a safe and wonderful trip!

Expand full comment
BG Caldwell's avatar

Please post a photo of your parents when they were performing in the band! They sound so cool and great!!

Expand full comment
Kathy Sorensen's avatar

I love how you adore your parents. Both of mine have passed (I’m almost your parents age) and I treasure every moment I had with them.

Enjoy your trip to Italy! Wonderful memories will be made!

Expand full comment
Rebecca Stilin's avatar

I love this! Have a wonderful time in Italy.

Expand full comment