Journeying Through Pages: How Books Shaped My Life
If I look back at my life, I see one constant: a book by my side.
It all started years ago when a dear friend handed me a copy of The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende. "Give this a try," he told me, "and you will see that you’ll love reading too". He couldn’t have been more right. Since that day, I have discovered that simply by reading, it is possible to visit distant lands and live a thousand different lives.
From Iceland with Love (and Poetry)
One specific episode changed my perspective forever. I discovered during a holiday trip to Iceland, almost by chance, that the tiny village of Siglufjörður is home to its own poetry circle. I was amazed: How is it possible for a town of just 1,100 people to have enough passion for poetry to create a literary club? I soon learned that Icelanders are among the most prolific readers in the world - so much so that they traditionally exchange books as Christmas gifts! It was wonderful to return home and dive into dozens of Icelandic authors, reliving the unique atmosphere of those places.
Now, it’s a rule: for every trip I make, I read at least one book by a local author from that country. I eventually returned to Siglufjörður on my honeymoon, and this time, I didn’t miss the chance to take a photo with the poetry circle, as you can see!
The Craft of Books: Behind the Scenes
My passion eventually turned into my professional path. In 2015, I completed a Master’s in Print and Digital Publishing at the Catholic University of Milan. It was a unique experience that revealed the art and secrets behind making a book, and opened the doors to my professional journey in the publishing industry. I have promoted art books, worked as an editor for a small local publishing house, and spent many years managing digital marketing for a B2B publisher.
The Greatest Adventure: LiLi
But the biggest and most exciting adventure has been founding LiLi with my wife!
For me, LiLi represents a window to the world through books. It is meant to be an open space - a true Community where cultures, ideas, and experiences can blend together to open our minds and help us become better versions of ourselves.