Bella Figura

How to Live, Love, and Eat the Italian Way

By: Kamin Mohammadi

Narrated by: Kamin Mohammadi

“My ideal type of armchair travel: immersive, insightful, seductive. In Bella Figura, Kamin Mohammadi takes us to the year in Florence that changed her life, and gives us the tools to bring the grace of the Italian lifestyle to our own lives.” —National Bestselling Author Stephanie Danler

“She walks down the street with a swing in her step and a lift to her head. She radiates allure as if followed by a personal spotlight. She may be tall or short, slim or pneumatically curvaceous, dressed discreetly or ostentatiously—it matters not. Her gait, her composure, the very tilt of her head is an ode to grace and self-possession that makes her beautiful whatever her actual features reveal.”

This is the bella figura, the Italian concept of making every aspect of life as beautiful as it can be, that Kamin Mohammadi discovered when she escaped the London corporate media world for a year in Italy. Following the lead of her new neighbors, she soon found a happier, healthier, and more beautiful way of living.

The bella figura knows:

• That the food that you eat should give you pleasure while eating it. Pause for meals, and set a place, even if you are eating alone.
• To seize any opportunity to get moving—be it taking the stairs, doing a coffee run at work, or dancing with abandon.
• To drink a spoonful of excellent-quality extra-virgin olive oil four times a day.
• To seek out nature, be it a city park, a tree on your street, or some wild place.
• And to love yourself. The bella figura—occupies her space, emotionally and physically, with style and entitlement.

©2018 Kamin Mohammadi (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“This book is my ideal type of armchair travel: immersive, insightful, seductive. In Bella Figura, Kamin Mohammadi takes us to the year in Florence that changed her life, and gives us the tools to bring the grace of the Italian lifestyle to our own lives. It’s a reminder to slow down, look around, taste, listen, and to open ourselves to new possibilities.” —Stephanie Danler, author of Sweetbitter

"Uprooting her life, London-based Kamin Mohammadi relocated to bucolic Florence. Her glorious memoir Bella Figura is witty, intelligent and heartfelt in equal measure and will delight anyone dreaming of a summer holiday—or a brand new life—in Italy." —Taiye Selasi, The Guardian

"If you’ve ever thought about quitting your job, moving to Italy, wearing incredible clothes and eating unbelievable food, here’s your bible." —Fodors

Wonderful

Wonderful storyline and a enlightening tale of gaining back what you've lost with many challenges are coming at you. I don't drink alcohol, nor eat pork, or date outside of marriage, but I could relate and understand the many obstacles that was presented to the author.

Interesting Italian Things

I really enjoyed this compilation of Italian recipes and mix culture, I spent so much nice time! Recommended for people that want to go deep in italian culture! Thanks

Absolutely lovely way to travel back to Florence ❤

This book transported me back to a place I love and still hold near & dear to my heart...Florence, Italy. From the glorious depiction of it's people & places to the sumptuous description of the amazing food that literally left my mouth watering, this book was such a pure pleasure that kept me smiling throughout the entire story. Thank you Ms Mohammadi for sharing your alluring story about living life ❤

Loved it!!!

I picked this because as a former travel agent I love travel memoirs. But as a current nutritionist I also loved that she learned the wisdom and benefits of pleasurable living and eating and chose to highlight that in her memoir as well. Something western culture (& healthcare) has completely overlooked.

Love this!

This book took me right back to Florence. Thank you! 💛 highly recommended before or after your trip

A life changer

This book helped me remember that I am worthy and beautiful. I truly loved it.

Loved It

First book I’ve read this year that I couldn’t stop listening to. I finished it in a week. Lovely story!

Light simple joyfull story

Written with lightness and optimism, voiced with beautiful and well pronounced iralian phrases. Recommend it.

Great story, great advice…

…and recipes! This is a sweet and honest coming of middle age story for so many of us who have become hamsters on the work wheel. Slow down, eat well, take care of yourself. And find love and family and joy.

Inspired Me to Change My Lifestyle.

To my surprise, Kamin Mohammadi’s book inspired me to change my lifestyle. I picked up this book because I was looking for a distraction from a harsh winter. Why not take a vacation to Italy, if only in my mind. The story is sweet and tender and she paints a beautiful picture of Florence.
Halfway through the book an unexpected thing happened. I began to really taste my coffee, I stood up straighter, I began bringing a healthy homemade lunch to work, (no more bologna and mayonnaise sandwiches for me.) I included flowers on my grocery list and I took the stairs more often. I started living the Bella Figura way.
Thank you Ms. Mohammadi for sharing your story. I really enjoyed it.