"Wilkie Collins: A Modern Man From the 1800's"

For you out there who have difficulty getting to sleep at night or needing distraction during the day, here is my remedy - read Wilkie Collins books. After my daughter finished reading his book "The Moonstone", she came over to me and said "mom, you should read this book I think you would like it". Considering that she had been right numerous times before, I gladly accepted her suggestion. I had no idea how powerful and engrossing this book would be and I couldn't put it down once I had started reading it. I devoured all 400+ pages which caused me to forget everything else. I thoroughly enjoyed it! - written in the mid 1800's, this author was way ahead of his time. I loved his characters, especially the women who are depicted as independent, strong and exceptionally intelligent. After reading the book, I launched into finding out more about him. Now I like him even more. He is a man after my own heart!. He neither believed in marriage nor religion, He believed in a committed relationship without the need of a marriage certificate.

A few days after finishing reading "The Moonstone", Alanna, comes back from the library with yet another Wilkie book, " Armadale" and says, would you like to read it but I'm warning you it's twice the lenghts of the other one. I said," Oh no! I have way too much work, and he is so addictive, I better wait", but the book was staring at me and finally, i couldn't help picking it up and I started on the enterprise. Three days later, no sleep, no going out, no cooking....I finished the book - and again, I was more convinced than ever that I wanted to read more of his books. "Armadale" has a plot with lots of twists and turns.

Instead of detesting Lydia Gwilt for being a murderess, I actually liked her character, she was strong, independent, smart and masquing her ability to love and be loved. Collins again, shows himself as a man ahead of his time with the psychological profile of his character of Lydia Gwilt and the two Allan Armadales. This story also delves in fate and the superatural as Mr. Midwinter often says " What is to be will be". "che sara' sara'"
My dear friends, I recommend this book totally. Reading these books was like watching a movie, or perhaps more like a soap opera- where he describes every scene, life as it was during the 19th Century, the laws of the time, their culture and beliefs but somehow he transcends this era and brings it right to today.

Bialetti Coffee Maker

So, after living in Rome for about 5 years it became apparent to me that in almost every home there was a Bialetti coffee espresso maker, but all I could think about was the Neapolitan coffee maker that I grew up with, called The Napolitana, this is the one that my grandmother used. My grandmother was not a Napoletana but a Romagnola. She loved her coffee and La Napolitana coffee maker is the one she carried with her everywhere she went. As a child when my grandmother had some free time she'd say, "Francolina, let's go to Naples for a good cup of coffee" we'd all file into the car and the long 2 to 3 hour drive began. The adults would have their special coffee and my sister and I would have the most delicious pizza ever.

Now four years later, I find myself at the Porto Rico coffee shop in the West Village and Bialetti's name comes up again. Having run out of my coffee from San'Eustachio, which I bring back from Rome, I have no idea which coffee to purchase and I ask the salesperson, a charming young man, probably the same age as my daughters, to recommend a strong espresso bean. He asked whether I wanted it ground, and whether I used a Bialetti. I go into my story how every home in Italy has one...and find myself engaged in a quite informative conversation about different coffee makers with the young man. Of course I bought his favorite BLEND, and to top it off it was on sale too!

At home, I kept thinking why the Bialetti espresso maker has become so popular and the number one choice all over Italy. All Italians and coffee lovers know that the best coffee in Italy is in Naples, there have been debates about it, is it the water? is it the way the coffee beans are roasted? is it the humidity? is it the coffee pot? No one knows, all I know is, it is by far the best coffee I have ever had. And the same debate would be about the pizza as it was for the coffee, is it the water?...

So, I ask again, what makes Bialetti the #1 coffee maker in Italy and why do I have a Bialetti in my home and not the Napolitana. Maybe, because it's easier to use, more accessible, or just following the trend?