Emilio Pucci: The Astonishing Life of a Fashion Icon — Biography Review
The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North — Psychological Thriller Book Review
The Paris House Book Club: Dinner Party & Literary Inspiration
What to Watch: Remarkably Bright Creatures — Film Review
Audiobooks: Discovering Literature in Spanish, Italian & French
Sunday Bookshelf
Emilio Pucci: The Astonishing Life of a Fashion Icon
A biography by Terence Ward and Idanna Pucci
Reviewed by Michele Rosenthal
Although Emilio Pucci is best known for his bright, patterned clothing, this biography also covers his childhood home in Florence, where he grew up in privilege and became multilingual at an early age.
Emilio was a skilled skier and took a significant role in the fight against the Nazis during World War II; this biography examines this aspect in more detail, which enhances its attractiveness. His involvement in this regard came prior to his enthusiastic career in fashion, during which he designed clothing for many of Hollywood’s most well-known figures.
The Man Made of Smoke
A novel by Alex North
Reviewed by Michael Taglione
My summer beach readings of late have been light hearted, best-selling rom coms. But admittedly, I can’t seem to recall much about them once finished. How many times does that single, NYC editor pay a visit back home only to fall in love with the boy from high school she never noticed?
While on vacation, I decided to go a little darker than normal and The Man Made of Smoke is that and more. This taught, psychological thriller finds prison criminal profiler Dan Garvie reliving a terrifying day from his childhood when he came face to face with a child serial killer known as the Pied Piper. Before taking each victim, the Pied Piper terrifyingly whispers, “Nobody sees, nobody cares.”
Summoned back home after his estranged father’s disappearance and possible death, Dan quickly learns that his father, a retired police officer, was investigating the serial killer’s case. He methodically left clues that only Dan would find and understand. Is there a copycat on the loose? Is he playing a twisted game to torment Dan after all of these years? The clock is ticking as Dan must put the pieces together to identify the Pied Piper and stop his reign of terror. As Alex North’s writing brings you to a heart pounding, satisfying climax, you are left knowing that Dan Garvie does see and does care.
Paris House Book Club Dinner Party
What to Watch: Remarkably Bright Creatures
Review by Michael Taglione
Currently streaming on Netflix, Remarkably Bright Creatures is an emotional yet subtle film adaptation of Shelby Van Pelt’s best-selling novel. Beautifully anchored by Sally Field, the story is narrated through the eyes of Marcellus, an octopus who is living out his final years in a Washington aquarium. Comfortingly voiced by Alfred Molina, he is consumed by the grief of Sally Field’s Tova, the aquarium after-hours cleaner. The loss of her son many years ago and more recently, her husband, has left Tova longing for a life that once was, mirroring Marcellus’s yearning for his sea life.
When a young drifter (Lewis Pullman) comes to town and begins working at the aquarium, Tova finds a renewed purpose as does Marcellus, who cleverly brings the two characters together in an ending I will not spoil. Sally Field was justly bestowed the 2026 Emmy award for Outstanding Lead Actress with the movie being crowned Outstanding Movie. The movie closes out with Marcellus saying, “Humans, for the most part, are dull and blundering, but occasionally, you can be remarkably bright creatures.” Yes, Marcellus, yes they can be.
Audiobooks
Our team enjoys listening to audiobooks in Spanish, Italian, and French. It’s a great way to learn while stuck in traffic!
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Lagos, Portugal Travel Guide: Praia do Camilo, Ponta da Piedade, and Algarve Coast
Explore Lagos — the cliffs, coves, and best viewpoints along the Algarve.
Melides, Portugal and Hotel Vermelho Travel Guide
Continue south along Portugal's coast to the quiet village of Melides.
Tangier, Morocco and Málaga, Spain Travel Guide
Cross into North Africa and Spain for a different old-world flavor.
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