Messages from Florence
by Melinda Gallo

Messages from Florence by Melinda Gallo is part travelogue, part memoir, and part photography collection. Impromptu photographs and accompanying anecdotes illustrate how the city of Florence “whispered messages” to her about living a more present and open-hearted life.

The book documents the author’s personal transformation while living as an American expat in Florence after her job in Paris ended. While meandering through the city’s gardens, running along the Arno, or watching a sunset, she captures inspired and unplanned moments with her iPhone. These daily experiences and the beauty of her surroundings serve as a spiritual guide, teaching her to:

Be more aware of and open to her surroundings.
Experience the world through her senses and her heart.
Perceive and appreciate beauty in everyday life.

The central theme is that the physical location of one’s home can serve as a profound teacher, encouraging personal growth and a deeper connection to the world. The book is a love letter to the Tuscan city, showcasing how what began as visual pleasure for her evolved into a deep, abiding love that “courses through [her] veins”. The book’s essence is captured in one of Florence’s messages: “What you see is beauty. What you feel is love”.

Click on the thumbnail below to view an excerpt:

Messages from Florence

NOTE: The pages in the book are matte, not glossy. Therefore, the photos might appear less vibrant printed than in the sample above.

Melinda Gallo

Originally from California, Melinda has lived overseas for most of her adult life. After graduating from university, she moved to Paris, France, to work for a French software company as a technical writer. Thanks to an ad in a Parisian newsletter for expats, she attended writing workshops with Kathleen Spivack, who nurtured her love of writing.

Since 2004, she has been living in Florence where her beloved city has inspired her to ground herself more in her surroundings, perceive more of the beauty around her, trust her intuition, and honor her heart.

What readers are saying...

You use language that captures the depth without needing any fluff around it. When I read it, I am there, feeling everything with you. A beautiful work.

This book represents an internal journey that is in perfect harmony with the city in which it takes place, a symbol of rebirth and expression of the soul.

(Questo libro segna un percorso di crescita interiore che è in perfetta armonia con la città in cui si svolge, simbolo di rinascita ed emanazione dell'anima.)

I can feel the breeze on my cheeks and smell the earth and see the colors of a sunset and hear the church bells and that makes your book so unique and beautiful.

After 20 years of perusing bookstores in Florence, I find this book to be truly stellar! Love your poetic writings and awesome pictures!

Check out reviews for Messages from Florence:

United States & United Kingdom

Suggested retail price is
$35/£25

You can purchase this book directly from the publisher for $33/£23.

•••

You can also purchase the book from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Amazon.co.uk, and other online stores OR order it at your local bookstore.

Europe Only

Suggested retail price is 33 Euros

You can purchase the book from Amazon (price is higher due to import duties as book is printed in the UK) and other online shops OR request it at your local bookstore.

•••

Click the Buy Now (Europe) button to buy directly from the publisher.

Worldwide

Suggested retail price is $35/33 Euros

You can purchase the book from Amazon, and other online shops OR request it at your local bookstore.

•••

Amazon is distributing the book in Australia and Asia at a higher price to cover the import duties.

eBook Version

Available for $9.99!

You can purchase the eBook version from Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and many others.

Because it is in fixed format, the formatting is best on an iPad or Kindle reader.

Messages from Florence by Melinda Gallo