Renaissance Recordings and New York Nonnas

As summer makes its way to a sultry summit, I’m in a bit of a New York state of mind. I was in Manhattan last month to explore Little Italy and Greenwich Village, including stops at the Tenement Museum (I did this tour) and by the building where one of my grandfathers was born on Spring Street in the early 1900s. He would hardly recognize it, I’m sure, for at the time it would have been overflowing with mostly poor Italian immigrants (see photo above of Mulberry Street right nearby from 1900) and is now a chic shopping district replete with luxury brands.

This mindset was perfect for watching the Netflix movie Nonnas, which is a modern-day story about family and Italian-American mothers and grandmas. It’s heartfelt, funny, sweet, and in my experience spot on – but be sure you have a large box of tissues beside you! I viewed it with my husband and almost-adult children and everyone enjoyed it. It was also highly recommended to me by my Japanese friend, who loved it even though she’s not Italian at all. You can watch the trailer here.

The film inspired me to dig out my mother’s recipe box, which I took with me when I emptied my parents’ house last year but then tucked away and forgot about. Just seeing my mother’s handwriting made me cry a little, so I plan to slowly make my way through it in the coming months.

And then this week I had to say goodbye to my neighbour of the last 22 years, an Italian straight from Calabria who has been living on our street for the last 65+ years. She’s now 87 and moving into an independent living near her sons. More bittersweet tears to have to say goodbye to the neighbour who has been like a surrogate nonna to my kids. Ciao, bella. I will miss you very much.

Speaking of Italian women, I had the pleasure of recently recording an episode with one of my new favourite podcasts, the History of Venice, hosted by Simon and Jess. We discussed women of the 16th century, including my most recent book The Virgins of Venice as well as my upcoming novel about the courtesan Veronica Franco (no release date yet but it’s coming!). Give it a listen on an upcoming walk or drive or flight (perhaps to Italy!).