A while back, I introduced you to my dear friend Molly — someone many of you may already recognize from her previous feature on the blog. I’m so excited to share that she’ll be back soon with a brand-new article right here, and I can’t wait for you to see what she has in store.
This week, Molly is kicking off something special with Under the Tuscan Sun — and we’re inviting you to join us in experiencing it fully. The plan? Read the beautiful memoir Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes, then settle in to watch the film adaptation Under the Tuscan Sun starring Diane Lane. It’s a story rich with atmosphere, longing, reinvention, and of course, the romance of Italy.
To make it even more memorable, we suggest turning it into an experience. Prepare a simple Italian dinner — think rustic pasta, fresh bread, olive oil, maybe a caprese salad — and don’t forget a scoop (or two!) of creamy gelato for dessert. Light a candle, pour a glass of wine, and let yourself be transported to Tuscany.
And this is just the beginning.
This summer, we’ll be launching our new Read, Watch & Eat Series — a curated experience where we pair books and their film adaptations with thoughtfully chosen dishes and drinks inspired by the setting or themes. It’s about slowing down, savoring stories, and gathering around the table with intention.
We’ll also be sharing tips on how to host a book club inspired by Molly’s thoughtful approach — from guiding meaningful discussion to creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere your guests will look forward to each month. Molly will be leading the way with her signature charm and insight, making it easy and enjoyable whether you’re a seasoned host or just getting started.
And we’re dreaming even bigger — eventually bringing these conversations to life through a podcast and vlog, where we can continue exploring stories, food, and friendship together.
We hope you’ll read along, watch along, and dine along with us. Here’s to good books, beautiful films, delicious meals, and the joy of sharing them.
UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN
Under the Tuscan Sun is a 1996 bestselling memoir by author Frances Mayes (published by Random House), chronicling her, and her husband Ed's, journey of buying and restoring an abandoned villa, Bramasole, in Cortona, Italy. The 2003 film, directed by Audrey Wells, is a romantic comedy loosely based on the book, which significantly fictionalizes the story to center on a, recently divorced writer, portrayed by Diane Lane, who impulsively buys the villa.
LET’S DISCUSS THE BOOK
Under The Tuscan Sun: At Home In Italy is a memoir about the author Frances Mayes and her husband, Ed, purchasing and restoring “Bramasole”, an abandoned villa in Cortona, Italy. The book is known for, sensory, and sometimes poetic descriptions of Italian life, food, and culture.
For readers who long for escape, inspiration, or simply a slower way of living, this memoir offers a sun-drenched invitation to savor life more fully.
The memoir follows Frances and her husband, Edward Mayes, as they navigate the practical challenges of restoring a centuries-old house—unpredictable contractors, language barriers, and endless repairs. Yet the heart of the book lies beyond the renovation itself. Through vivid, sensory prose, Mayes captures the textures of Tuscan life: the golden light on stone walls, the scent of rosemary drifting through the kitchen window, the clatter of plates during long, laughter-filled dinners.
LET’S DISCUSS THE MOVIE
The 2003 film Under the Tuscan Sun, directed by Audrey Wells and starring Diane Lane, transforms the spirit of Frances Mayes’s memoir into a heartfelt story about starting over.
Unlike the book, which centers on a married couple restoring a villa, the film follows Frances, a recently divorced writer who impulsively buys a crumbling house in Cortona after her life in San Francisco falls apart. What begins as an escape quickly becomes a journey of healing, self-discovery, and unexpected connection.
More than a travel fantasy, Under the Tuscan Sun reminds us that sometimes what feels like the end of one chapter is actually the beginning of something far more beautiful. It’s a film about courage — the courage to buy the house, to take the trip, to trust again — and to believe that happiness can be rebuilt, piece by piece, under a new sun.
