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The Sweetness of Doing Nothing: Live Life the Italian Way with Dolce Far Niente

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It’s time to embrace the Italian way of life…

The Sweetness of Doing Nothing explores the southern Italian philosophy of Dolce Far Niente to help you find pleasure in the everyday.

How often do you focus on being in the moment, doing nothing? Whether it’s sitting outside at a cafe watching the world go by, whiling away the hours with your loved ones sipping a glass of wine or being immersed in nature at the beach taking in the sun, these seemingly ordinary moments are the ones that bring happiness in the long run and highlight the joy in living.

The Italians know the importance of enjoying good food and good company and the pleasures of being idle. The Sweetness of Doing Nothing will share this philosophy, with recipes, suggestions and advice to help you to let go of anxiety and savour life’s precious moments.

191 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 29, 2021

73 people are currently reading
1067 people want to read

About the author

Sophie Minchilli

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5 stars
216 (36%)
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105 (17%)
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21 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
Profile Image for Maria Yankulova.
995 reviews514 followers
June 27, 2021
Ако има доказателство, че книгите ни намират в точния момент то това за мен е “Изкуството да не правиш нищо”!

В последните месеци работното ежедневие е обсебило почти напълно всяка минута в живота ми и тази книга ми отвори очите за неща, които естествено знам, но Италианците правят най-добре!

Насладих се максимално на всяка дума в книгата и определено се замислих над цялото бързане, графици, желание за мултитаскинг, хапване на крак, пред компютъра, работа, работа, работа...

Dolce far niente - сладкото безделие, изкуството да се отпускаш, да се научиш да забавиш темпото, да цениш дребните неща в живота - стотици са интерпретациите. София Минчели ги е обобщила около 3 основни аспекта - храна, семейство и приятели и свободно време.

Истински се забавлявах, четейки каква наслада носи стоенето и наблюдаването на живота по площада, инструкциите как се бели артишок и това, че е допустимо да обърнеш едно аперитиво предиобед 😂😂😂

“Надявам се, че вече съм успяла да ви внуша, че Dolce far noente не означава “да не правите нищо”; по-скоро е свързано с това да се освободите от тревогата и от натиска да бъдете винаги продуктивни.”

“Dolce Far Niente” означава да живеем в настоящето - да се наслаждаваме на всеки миг така сякаш е последен - докато никога не забравяме, че животът е скъпоценен дар. Защото животът наистина е хубав. И нека никога не забравяме това.”

Пренареждам приоритетите!!!

Viva Italia 🇮🇹🍝🍷
Profile Image for Габриела Щинова.
116 reviews12 followers
January 28, 2023
Обичате ли сладкото безделие?

📖"Помислете за онова,  което ви прави щастливи; кое ви омиротворява в ситуация на стрес и тревога? ...
Dolche far niente освен начин на живот, е и нещо много индивидуално.
Да отделяте време за себе си и да правите нещата,  които ви носят радост,  ще ви помогне да вземете по-правилните решения, да се фокусирате върху положителните неща,  да добиете перспектива и интуиция за живота си. ...
Това е и възможност да се презаредите, за да бъдете по-продуктивни. "

📖В книгата си "Изкуството да не правиш нищо" Софи Минчили разкрива принципите на сладкото безделие  като философия за дълъг и ползотворен живот. 

🎶🎨Моята любов към Италия е от  книгите за художници и музиканти,  исторически и мафиотски романи,  дамски четива и пътеписи.
И  от  пътуване до Венеция на родителите ми. След  това  баща ми нарисува един от многобройните мостове с маслени бои върху платно, което и до днес е на стената.

📖Книгата на Софи Минчили акцентира върху  няколко аспекта от живота в Италия  - храна,  семейство и приятели,  свободно време.

📜🏛🎶🍜Тя припомня,  че италианците са дали на света библиотеки, университети и културни ценности. Заради миналото си, изпълнено с насилие и бедствия, хората са разбрали, че най-добрият начин да се противопоставят на негативното, е чрез красива архитектура,  вкусна храна,  хубава музика и радост.

☕Изкуството на сладкото безделие идва от Римската империя. Днес е критикувано от чужденци и италианци.
Но то включва ритуали,  които изпълват живота със сигурност и любов. За да работим  добре, трябва да си починем, да се смеем, да четем и да общуваме с другите, твърди авторката.
Да отделим време да приготвим кафе или храна не само за любим човек. Да правим добро впечатление във всяка житейска ситуация  според принципите на  Bella figura.

❤"У италианците още ме удивлява тяхната способност да ви накарат да се чувствате добре дошли и обичани , сякаш сте кръвни роднини...Това е една от положителните страни на липсата на чувство за лично пространство. Споделят всичко - храната, емоциите,  домовете си. Опитайте се да бъдете малко по-щедри във всекидневния си живот. Уверявам ви, че това ще ви се отплати някой ден. "
Profile Image for CUONG TRAN.
96 reviews25 followers
September 14, 2021
Đây là cuốn mình tìm đọc sau khi xem phim Eat Pray Love, nói về triết lý sống của người Ý - Dolce Far Niente.

Xã hội bận rộn khiến ta cảm thấy mình quan trọng và có giá trị. Nhưng con người không được lập trình để kết nối liên tục. Việc bận rộn liên tục thường dẫn đến căng thẳng, rối loạn lo âu và kiệt sức. Để làm việc tốt hơn, chúng ta cần nghỉ ngơi, thư giãn, và kết nối lại. Khi đó, không làm gì cũng có nghĩa là làm rất nhiều. Học cách chấp nhận sự không hoàn hảo, học cách dừng lại, học cách tận hưởng niềm vui trong những điều nho nhỏ, học cách tạo không gian cho những suy nghĩ bên trong, kể cả cho sự buồn chán.

Tuy nhiên cuốn này có nhiều đoạn hơi sa đà vào các công thức nấu ăn, các địa điểm du lịch, các hoạt động hàng ngày trong văn hoá Ý mà mình nhiều lần nghĩ triết lý này có thể dẫn đến sự lười nhác, biện hộ, thiếu kỉ luật. Vì vậy đọc cuốn này cần phải có sự chọn lọc để áp dụng chứ không hoàn toàn tin theo tất cả mọi thứ tác giả đề cập tới.
Profile Image for Lexi Caudill.
8 reviews
February 2, 2024
I really enjoyed this book!! I learned so much about the culture of Italy and the “sweetness of doing nothing.” This book was a fast and easy read and there is so much great information. I kept thinking several times throughout this book that this is how I want to live my life- slow, surrounded by family and friends, eating great food (pasta has ALWAYS been my favorite), having a good work/life balance, and simply enjoying beautiful things and life. It makes me even more excited for my trip to Italy in March!
Profile Image for Ashley.
33 reviews1 follower
February 7, 2023
This book warmed my heart and made me appreciate my time living in Italia even more.
Profile Image for Daniela  Daneva.
325 reviews10 followers
November 9, 2021
Чете се на един дъх!
Глътка свежест, носеща спомени в изолирани и ограничени времена.
Прииска ми се да се телепортирам в някое италианско градче и да ям паста до пръсване!🙃
Profile Image for Jordy.
247 reviews26 followers
February 21, 2024
This was AMAZING! I mean the Italian lifestyle sells itself. But the author did a really good job of organizing the info, talking about it, the pics she chose, it was so wonderful. I literally cry sometimes thinking about how badly I want to go to Italy. Everything about the culture is exactly what I feel in my spirit what I want out of life. The main ideas are that we have to live slowly to truly take in all of life’s pleasures. And also our daily lives and life in general is most fulfilling when it revolves are PEOPLE. Italy is so people focused and loving. I could read this book over and over. Until I actually get to experience it for myself.

I definitely want to live in Italy for a few months or hopefully a whole year. A mere 2 weeks of my lifetime I won’t accept. I could never move there permanently simply bc of my family and friends here I would miss too much.

But anyway I’m obsessed w this book bc I’m obsessed w Italy. Probably one of my favorites in the new year haha!!
188 reviews8 followers
September 6, 2021
Всеки може да си вземе нещо от тази книга. Днес във все по-забързаното ни ежедневие, все по-препълнени графици и планирани месеци напред, наистина често забравям да се радваме на малките неща, тук и сега. Написана е увлекателно, представя живота на италианците и как всъщност “да не правиш нищо” означава да се наслаждаваш на момента, да наблюдаваш света около теб.
175 reviews8 followers
May 21, 2021
be warned the font is VERY tiny on this
Profile Image for Мартина.
143 reviews19 followers
August 30, 2021
Нямаше как тази книга да покрие по-добре очакванията ми. Тя е точно това, което обещава да бъде (на задната корица). Много приятна, интересна и неангажираща.
Profile Image for Maria Hristeva.
46 reviews
April 3, 2022
Страхотно четиво. За всеки, който обича Италия и културата им, силно препоръчвам. 🇮🇹♥️
Profile Image for Suhana Ruprai.
123 reviews2 followers
September 10, 2024
4.5. Such a sweet book. It was a good reminder to slow down in life, enjoy the small things, take care of yourself and spend as much time as you can with your loved ones.
Profile Image for книжното кътче на анди.
48 reviews11 followers
June 15, 2021
Fast but fascinating reading. For me personally, the constant repetition of paragraphs is a little frustrating, but I guess it's a metaphor for the repetition of Italian habits and the love of Italians for tradition.
It's not my favorite dolce far niente book, but you won't go wrong if you read it.
Profile Image for kasᴉa  gryẓewska.
23 reviews
June 5, 2021
A great book about italian culture, food and people. Transfers you into holiday mood right away and makes you want to visit Italy immediately. I have been to Italy countless times before but I did learn new things thanks to Sophie. Can't wait to prepare some delicious meals from her recipes that you can find in the book as well!
Profile Image for Kristina.
1,097 reviews233 followers
February 21, 2022
Лека и разтоварваща книжка, която действа като чудесна напомнянка да забавим малко темпото и просто да се наслаждаваме на малките неща от живота.

"Забави, забави, по-полека" ;)
Profile Image for Lindamac Harris.
417 reviews15 followers
July 14, 2022
Read this in a couple of hours this morning in preparation for my holiday next week . Really enjoyed it . Love Italy anyway but this book gave me an extra few tips for La Dolce far Niente .
Profile Image for Estelle.
68 reviews2 followers
October 10, 2021
Когато влязох в книжарницата да търся лека и забавна книга, не очаквах да намеря тази.
Оказа се изключително подходяща като подарък за всеки човек, който обожава Италия и би искал да знае повече за нея. Изпълнена е не само с основните ценности на всеки италианец, но също и с много рецепти за салати и паста, списък с най - красивите плажове в Италия, изкуството на правенето на кафе и много други. Забавна е, лека е, има красиви снимки в добро качество, удобна е за носене навсякъде, а защо не и за масичката ни за кафе.
Лесни 5 звезди за това преживяване!
Profile Image for RyleeAnn.
3 reviews
April 24, 2023
I loved this book. Every moment made me wish I was back in Italy. Sophie’s descriptions make me feel like I’m back watching daily life play out around me. It’s concise and easy to understand her point in each chapter. Everything is well rounded. I just wish it had been even more in depth and longer. The read was very very quick and left me feeling but was a small handbook or synopsis of Il dolce far niente, rather than the entire piece.
Profile Image for Caitlin.
355 reviews36 followers
December 30, 2022
A cute book about the Italian way of life, I read most of it on the train which was really nice. It also made me crave pasta and other Italian foods.

Some of it was a bit repetitive for me and I didn't connect with all of it but I'm still glad I read it.
Profile Image for William Schram.
2,374 reviews99 followers
August 12, 2023
Sophie Minchilli grew up in Rome, Italy, where she failed to appreciate the cultural artifacts and world heritage sites all around her. It's understandable. Who thinks about a timespan of that length when you are six? I am envious since I live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the United States. They built my house in 1927. They completed the high school I attended in 1914. They completed the Constitution in 1787. Minchilli is Italian and picked up a lot of habits from her childhood. These habits culminate in a system called the sweetness of doing nothing.

The Sweetness of Doing Nothing is a book by Minchilli that discusses the positive aspects of the Italian lifestyle. People may look at photos and accuse the Italians of laziness, but that couldn't be further from the truth. After a long day of backbreaking labor, who can blame someone for wanting to sit down and relax? With our hard-driving compulsion to succeed and overtake our competition, such a message is more important than ever.

That is the message of the book as a whole. Sometimes, you need to slow down and savor life. There are three pillars to the Italian lifestyle: Food, Family and Friends, and Leisure. There might be more, but those are the ones Minchilli highlights.

In the food section, Minchilli discusses pasta and how the best chefs are your mom. Recipes get passed down through the generations, and the pasta is always as fresh as possible. There aren't many supermarkets, so the mom shops for ingredients every day. People use farmer's markets and little stalls where everyone knows one another. Typically, the most important meal of the week is Sunday Lunch. Everyone gathers together and discusses their week.

Since everyone knows each other, they become part of your family or a close friend. That ensures that you get a good deal since Italians are loyal. Minchilli found that one of her coffee shops was closing, and she was devastated. She felt as though she lost a member of her family.

As for leisure, Italians close their businesses for three months during the summer and head off to another part of the country. They head to popular beach areas or tiny provincial towns. Card Games are popular and have different names for the suits. I found that interesting since I am familiar with Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, and Spades. I remember learning about such a factoid in Great Expectations, where Estelle denigrates Pip for calling the Knaves Jacks.

I enjoyed the book. Thanks for reading my review, and see you next time.
Profile Image for Jordan Leigh | the.browse.
141 reviews3 followers
March 13, 2022
This is a bit of a stray from my usual book review. For those who know me, I have always dreamt of going to Italy. (As I write this, I am eating an epic Mortadella sandwich). My great-grandparents came to Canada as Italian immigrants over 100 years ago and no one in my family has been back since. I am constantly curious about the Italian way of life and look forward to the day I can live La Dolce Vita.

I can’t exactly remember how I originally came across Sophie Minchilli, but I believe it was from listening to her or her mother @eminchilli on the @Untold Italy Podcast. Sophie and her mother Emily have amazing instagram pages where they will show you glimpses of daily Italian life and the offer in-person tours to visitors.

I picked up this book as a means of getting more insight into how real Italians live Dolce Far Niente and it didn’t disappoint. Sophie breaks up the book into three categories: Food, Family & Friends, and Leisure.

Filled with sage advice you could only find from a true Italian, there are so many wonderful tips on how to eat better, how to connect more with family and friends, and how to get the most out of this short time we have on this earth.

It’s quick and easy to digest (no aperitivo needed).

I recommend if you love travel and learning to improve your life more consciously and sustainably.

I’m also going to shamelessly plug the @untolditaly podcast. If you’re planning a trip to Italy or simply want an escape from your own home, it is hands down THE most informative resource I’ve found.
Profile Image for Hristina Kaspshik.
53 reviews6 followers
June 18, 2021
Casual and pleasant book. Ideal for a beach read. I learned very specific and interesting things about Italian culture and now I'm more obsessed than ever. Plus there are recipes for meals and cocktails. What you need more!? I always preferred and enjoyed purchasing groceries from small shops and fresh markets, chatting with the sellers, for one or two meals rather than from big supermarkets for the whole week but before this book, I was afraid that that is a waste of time and money (because small shops are often more expensive). But after reading this book I will embrace that kind of activity because it brings me joy in daily life. And I will Dolce far Niente more often. Thank you so much Sophie!
12 reviews1 follower
April 26, 2022
Speaking as somebody who has Italian family and visits 2/3 times a year (pre-pandemic), this book reads like it is written by somebody not from Italy (I know the author is, that's why it is difficult).
I feel the book repeats itself in many aspects and doesn't tell the reader much about Italy - just about eating habits, Italians not swimming straight after eating, what day Italians eat pizza on and coffee habits. I feel like you can find this information on Trip Advisor or on the internet.
I am not bashing the author in any way, maybe this would be an excellent little handbook to buy somebody who is maybe visiting Italy for the first time but for someone familiar with typical Italian culture and traditions, it isn't worth the read.
Profile Image for Kuntal Sensarma.
70 reviews2 followers
August 20, 2021
The book is a quick reading about Italian culture, habits, food, beaches and other aspects. Through the leisurely way of life that Italians live, the author basically tries to explain that one should live for the present moment and enjoy life through simple things like food, being with the family or friends, cards, music etc.
Life can be better enjoyed through these simple things, going slow and bringing a balance between work and pleasure.

The book has been enriched with recipes of some yummy Italian cuisines and beautiful pictures.

A fast, simple book with a philosophy of enjoying life the Italian way.
Profile Image for Danielle McClellan.
787 reviews50 followers
September 1, 2021
Very sweet little book about the slower pace of traditional life in Italy. The author has some great tips about how to visit Italy without making a complete fool of yourself (for example, do not ask for extra cheese on your pasta, do not order cream in your coffee in the afternoon or ask for a double shot, do not only choose one gelato flavor, do not overfill your pizza with stuff, do not swim right after lunch.) I am all for dolce far niente! That is one reason my American family lives in Spain where, like the Italians, they really know how to appreciate long, slow meals, family time, afternoon rest, and a life that includes deep relaxation as well as work.
Profile Image for Charlee Remitz.
332 reviews14 followers
January 20, 2023
4.5*

It won’t win any literary awards, but a book about the sweetness of doing nothing shouldn’t be anything other than simple and to-the-point anyway. My good review could be the result of this book finding me at just the right time, when I needed the reminder that I’m not doing anything wrong by moving slow. That I’m not missing out on things by being gentle. That what’s meant for me is meant for me even if I’m not over-working myself to the bone. Walks, long lunches, leisure, it should all be more common place. Here’s to making 2023 sweet and a bit boring. We could all use a little more of that.
5 reviews
January 14, 2023
Тази книга ме върна в спомените ми от минали пътувания в Италия и ми се прииска да отида отново и да погледна от този ъгъл живота на италианците, за да видя на място как прилагат "dolce far niente". Определено книгата кара човек да се замисли върху забързаното си ежедневие и как може да преминава през него по-леко. Dolce far niente показва какво за италианците представлява щастието - забавяне на темпото, радост от малките неща, да си създаваш всекидневни удоволствия и да им се наслаждаваш на макс тук и сега. Прекрасна книга! Препоръчвам! ❤
Profile Image for Katie.
44 reviews
August 6, 2021
Beautiful little guide to the concept of ‘dolce far niente’ — a concept that feels so foreign here in the US and especially perhaps in a city like San Francisco, tech mecca and hub of ‘disruption’. Sophie’s words and photos are a perfect primer for learning how to slow down and enjoy life the Italian way, as well as a wonderful trip down memory lane for anyone who has ever been lucky enough to visit Italy.
Profile Image for Nina.
223 reviews1 follower
July 29, 2024
'The Sweetness of Doing Nothing' is the book I need in my life right now, as I’m currently living in Italy! But you don't have to be living in Italy to get some great nuggets of wisdom from this book. Sophie Minchilli offers great insights into the Italian mindset and way of life, painting colorful pictures of Italian culture. I also really enjoyed the recipes sprinkled throughout the book. It’s a delightful crash course in dolce far niente.
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