The Italian Soul: How to Savor the Full Joys of Life

by Judith Valente

The Italian Soul is a pilgrimage of the heart, a journey toward change that will allow its readers to approach life with a more contemplative stance and recreate a sense of la dolce vita—the sweet life—wherever they might be.
 
The Italian Soul offers practical guidance into how we can transport a taste of the Italian “good life” into our own homes. Additionally, it explores the contemplative practices and attitudes that seem to come naturally to a people who have made an art of living and working joyfully. A cross between a travel dispatch and a spirituality guide for seekers who eschew traditional religious practices but are yearning for ways to bring more balance, sanity, and a greater sense of the transcendent into their daily lives.
 
Written by veteran journalist Judith Valente, who has lived and traveled extensively in Italy, The Italian Soul shares personal stories and insights into the Italian way of life, focusing on the attitudes, traditions, and practices that make the people of Italy role models for experiencing delight amid the demands and distractions of ordinary living. Readers will feel as though they are walking along, peering into windows, glimpsing activities as they unfold.
 
The Italian Soul is a book for lovers of Italy, those considering visiting Italy for the first time, and anyone who is interested in learning more about the art of living joyfully.
 
The Italian Soul will share how Have a deep appreciation for quality and aesthetics  Value slowness and savor the little moments in life Show a strong sense of community and make room for leisure and personal care Honor their dead and have a deep respect for tradition Find beauty in the everyday and are able to laugh at themselves The Italian Soul is a book that will change the way you look at life. It is a book that will inspire you to live more joyfully and to savor the simple things.

Genres: Italy

192 pages, Paperback

Published May 5, 2025

About the author

Judith Valente is an award-winning author, poet, and journalist. She is a sought-after speaker and retreat leader on living a more contemplative life, discovering inner wisdom through poetry, and finding meaning in your work. She is a lay associate of the Benedictine monastery Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, KS, which is the subject of her award-winning 2013 memoir, "Atchison Blue: A Search for Silence, a Spiritual Home and a Living Faith," chosen by Religion Newswriters Association as one of the three best spirituality books of that year.

Her new book "How to Be: A Monk & a Journalist Reflect on Living & Dying, Purpose & Prayer, Forgiveness & Friendship" is a dialogue between two spiritual seekers exploring life'scomplex questions. Her co-author is Brother Paul Quenon, a Trappist monk of the famous Abbey of Gethsemani who knew the great spirituality author, Thomas Merton.

Her 2018 book, "How to Live: What The Rule of St. Benedict Teaches Us About Happiness, Meaning, and Community" has been used by book group members throughout the world seeking to live a more contemplative life in the secular world. She is also co-author with Brother Paul Quenon of "The Art of Pausing: Meditations for the Overworked and Overwhelmed," winner of a 2013 Catholic Press Association Award.

She is a former on-air correspondent who covered faith and values for Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly on national PBS-TV. She also worked as a staff writer for The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal and was twice a finalist for the Pulizter Prize in journalism. She has won numerous broadcast awards, including two Edward R, Murrow Awards, arising from her work as senior correspondent and investigative reporter for the NPR affiliate, GLT Radio. She also was a correspondent for Chicago Public Radio. She currently contributes articles to National Catholic Reporter and U.S. Catholic magazine.

Ms. Valente is also a poet whose poetry chapbook, "Inventing An Alphabet," was chosen by Mary Oliver for the 2005 national Aldrich Poetry Prize. Her second collection, "Discovering Moons," was published in 2009.

Ms. Valente holds a B.A in English and classical languages from St. Peter's University in Jersey City, NJ, and an MFA in creative writing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is married to former Illinois Judge Charles Reynard, also a poet, with whom she co-edited the 2005 anthology, "Twenty Poems to Nourish Your Soul," winner of an Eric Hoffer Book citation. The couple operates an alfalfa farm in central Illinois, where Judith is a member of the Grand Prairie Master Naturalists, a group that cares for the Illinois prairie. She is also on the board of the International Thomas Merton Society.

Reviews

[Julie Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Americans should live our lives more like the Italians (less stressed!) The author did a great job explaining life as an italian, the good (more family time) and the bad(mafias, war).

[Valerie Campbell Ackroyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming book

I learned a lot about Italy reading this book. Encouraging the reader to engage with it, each chapter has a series of “reflection” questions at its end. Some of the questions, especially those on Italy’s more brutal history with war and Fascism, ask the reader to think about what is happening in our own country. There are elements of “preachiness” in the book that some readers might find offputting but I didn’t feel that way. Reflecting with an open heart is something that makes me a better person.
Favorite chapters were those about history, about Italian feasts and customs and, at the end of the book, the advice “you just have to laugh” which was something I totally related to after living in Ireland for several months. The author’s experience with getting Internet installed mirrored my same experience in Waterford and we did indeed laugh about it.

[H · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too political.

[Marcia reading past dark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I requested THE ITALIAN SOUL by Judith Valente, thinking that it might be a travel memoir, but I quickly found that it is a spiritual guide, one that encourages a quieter, slower, and more reflective way of life. For us living in the South, this is our way of life, but we, too, can begin to run a hectic pace without a reminder such as this book. The author includes personal stories and reflections of her time in Italy and focuses on the Italian way of life, one that emphasizes family, traditions, and habits that keep the soul balanced. The advice is sound, and I found myself beginning to put many of her suggestions into practice immediately.
Here are some of my takeaways from this joyful little book:

Engage and value chitchat—chiacchiera
Frequent coffee shops and enjoy long, lingering meals with friends
Choose quality over quantity, in food and other purchases—poco, ma Buono
Pause and listen to the church bells, being grateful even in difficult circumstances
Have a special place to ‘go and be,’ a place of reflection
Study a foreign language
Hold on to spiritual traditions, especially the true meaning of Christmas

[Jasminegalsreadinglog · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Italian Soul is a heartfelt ode to Italy, its rich culture, age-old customs, and timeless traditions that continue to shape everyday life. The author, an Italian American, uses her own experiences and stories to highlight the contrast between American and Italian lifestyles.

I especially enjoyed reading about the charm of small towns, the relaxed pace of life, and the intimate glimpses into how Italians navigated the pandemic. I haven’t had the chance to visit Italy yet, but this book makes me hope I will one day and when I do, it will certainly serve as a guide. As I read, I could easily picture myself wandering through the sunlit streets of this beautiful Mediterranean country. Just as the author intended, this book truly is full of life and love.

Thank you to Kaye Publicity and Hampton Roads Publishing for the copy.

[Ray · Rating 1 out of 5]

The parts of the book that actually are what the book is supposed to be about are OK. Supposedly it offers practical guidance into how we can transport a taste of the Italian “good life” into our own homes. Instead, she takes some fact, extrapolated that into something else, and then asks you how you could incorporate that into your life.

The rest of the book, while preaching that we should all try to get along with our enemies and people we disagree with, bashes anyone with different political opinions. And she seemingly gets her opinions from limited sources having not traveled around the USA and learning about its people as much as she has in Italy. She attacks anyone with a different opinion than hers, and then says, "Can you think of a time when our country was more understanding of each other?"

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The contemplative questions at the end of each chapter helped me to be more fully engaged. This book aligned with what I have experienced in my travels but gave me more of a full perspective from someone who has also lived there. It brought up some lovely memories of my travels and made me consider returning for a third time to enjoy additional Italian experiences. It really emphasised the Catholic nature and traditions which I can relate to. I definitely learned some new things and got to contemplate what it is about the Italian way of life that I want to imbed in my own life as I’ve always felt so relaxed and yet alive in Italy. I’m keeping this one on the shelf to read again and remind me how I can slow my own life down to be more meaningful and enjoyable.

[Pam K. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book through LibraryThing for an honest review.
I found this book boring. At first, it is a look into the life of the Italian people. The lesson is slow down, take notice, eat well, and socialize for a better, longer life. These are things I will try to work into my daily life.
Halfway through the book, the author started to add her political views. This is where I quit reading. I do not care if you are a Trump supporter or not. A book on living a better life should not cross over into shaming half of Americans for their belief or who they choose to follow.
I will not recommend this book to anyone. It was not for me.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who has spent time in Italy, especially those who have been expats (like me), should savor this book as it brings to mind so many pleasant memories. Valente is spot on when she suggests that Americans can learn much from the lifestyle of the Italians, like slowing down, taking time to chitchat, building community, eating mindfully and simply taking time to enjoy the wonderful blessing of life. Short of an actual visit to Italy, this book gives a great taste of what makes the country so special. And it makes me eager to return there for a visit!

[Jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Soulful Blend of Travel and Wisdom
This book is so much more than a travel memoir, it’s a gentle invitation to slow down and savor life. Judith Valente beautifully captures the Italian way of living, weaving together culture, spirituality, and practical lessons that truly inspired me to rethink how I approach my days.

[Bob Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed being with you in Italy

Judith,
I really enjoyed my travels with you in Italy via this lovely book. I just finished it today at the Abbey of Gethsemani where we are on Retreat. Thank you for sharing your Italian Soul.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started off well, but I almost didn't finish it. It became very political and opinionated and I was going to stop reading it. But, since it is short, I kept on and it ended ok. But the political stuff was really overbearing.

[Stephanie Pollock · Rating 2 out of 5]

Went into this as an inspiring prep for my upcoming trip to Italy. There was some inspo but also a lot of political/cultural comparison between the US and Italy. I’m fine with that conversation but that wasn’t what the promise of this book appeared to be. It felt all over the place.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read about half of the book and then skimmed the rest. I enjoyed it, especially with the short chapter, but felt like it would have been better even condensed and as an article.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 5. Judith Valente took me to Italy for several wonderful days...

[Daiva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a warm and beautiful picture of Italian people and their lifestyle in Italy.

[Onceinabluemoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Comfortable relaxing read

[Mikaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a book for people interested in Italian ways of life with a heavy interest in the religious connections. It was a nice quick read.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book in a giveaway and was excited to read it. My excitement quickly vanished, I did not end up finishing this book.