While I was holed up in the scholars room at the New York Public Library, I did break out for strategic jaunts, either to walk block after block or to buy some items that I cannot easily purchase in Connecticut (or which would otherwise have to come via the mailman).
Chief among these shopping destinations was, of course, Rizzoli, the famed Italian book store that my father introduced me to years ago (not because he reads Italian but simply because he reads).
I wasn't judicious in my spending but (luckily) they didn't have everything I wanted. Indeed I saw little down side in throwing some money at a place like Rizzoli, especially since buying Italian books is good for my health, and maybe one day will be good for my wealth (though probably not, given the difficulty inherent in literary translation! Or the scant dough tied to teaching Italian).
I mainly bought books but oh the journals they have! Oh the notecards!
So without further ado, I bought two books by Primo Levi that I'd needed to replace for a while:
Se questo è un uomo
Sistema periodico
The first one was apt since I was in New York to study Holocaust-era works at the New York Public Library.
I also bought:
Harry Potter e la camera dei segreti
I couldn't resist! Or rather, I had been resisting and decided to throw in the towel. Someday Leo and I will read it together, as we've read the English-language original.
I also bought a children's book about the Romans for Leo.
And, last but not least:
La settimana enigmistica
If they'd had books by Natalia Ginzburg, I would have bought them since they were on my list. If they'd had Borgo Sud by Donatella Di Pietrantonio, I would have bought it. They didn't but still, to walk into a bookstore in America that sells Italian books is always a treat.
You'll find Rizzoli not far from Eataly NY so why not visit?
1133 Broadway
New York, NY
-30-
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