Beyond the Yalla Dog

3rd June 2011

As immortalised by Maggie Smith in Tea with Mussolini the jingoistic English chose to teach the Italians “a little basic English” in preference to the learning the language of their country of choice! Thankfully, these days I think everyone I know in Florence is learning – or trying to learn -”a little basic Italian” – at last!

Cosetta in BM Bookshop

However, when it comes to learning a whole lot of history in a short period of time it is usually more effective in our native tongue, so the BM English Bookshop, dating back to 1963 is a perfect bolt-hole to find books about Italy, and Florence in particular, from every period, written or translated into English.

There are old classics – with beautiful old classic bindings to keep and treasure; and modern novels, both brand new and secondhand to read -and even take back and resell.

During the recent Beyond the Yalla Dog garden tour – owner Cosetta Boni, offered to host a book signing for our tour guide Dr Katie Campbell, whose book Paradise of Exiles – the Anglo American Gardens of Florence is still for sale at less than the published price in the shop.

Always one of my favourite places in Florence – I can only thank Cosetta again for hosting this event on behalf of Beyond the Yalla Dog and call on all avid readers – and people who speak English and love Florence to visit this delightful little shop on Borgognissanti – very close to the Carraia bridge.

I am sure you will find a treasure there!

Book signing at BM Bookshop Florence