Can you present yourself?
My name is Laura, and I’m passionate about 19th-century England. This passion comes out not just in my love for books but also through the educational content I create for an Italian audience in many different formats. I host a podcast about 19th-century England (titled Viaggio nell’Ottocento, which means Journey Through the 19th Century, free to listen on Spotify and YouTube), share videos on social media about fun facts and locations tied to Victorian history and literature, speak at events and conferences, and visit schools to make some of the topics students study in class more engaging and accessible.
I’ve also worked with British organizations like the British Embassy, Visit Britain, and the Landmark Trust to promote and highlight British locations through media. Recently, I was honored to be named an Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society for my work in sharing British history. I’m involved in so many projects that introducing myself is always a bit of a challenge!
How did you start to collect books or to develop an interest for art and culture?
British culture has always fascinated me, but it wasn’t until around 2012 that I realized antique books didn’t have to be a privilege for just a few. I stumbled almost by chance into an antiquarian bookshop called Jarndyce, located right across from the British Museum. The shop’s name is inspired by Bleak House by Charles Dickens, and that’s no coincidence—my passion for Dickens is what set me on this incredible journey.
I was especially drawn to his marketing genius (my academic background is in economics—I graduated from Bocconi University in Milan and Manchester Business School) and fascinated by the first editions of his books because they embodied the realization of his creative and commercial vision. So, when the curators at Jarndyce showed me that it was possible to buy first editions at affordable prices, my journey truly began.
What work of art has left its mark on you?
Probably David Copperfield. It was the first Dickens novel I ever read, and it struck a chord with me because I found so many of its themes relatable. David is, to use a word that’s been very popular in recent years, “resilient.” He throws himself wholeheartedly into everything he does, and that’s exactly the mindset I bring to every project I take on.
What cultural events do you participate in?
Over the years, I’ve given talks at the Turin Book Fair, the Salone della Cultura in Milan, and events organized by a variety of cultural venues, such as museums, libraries, and schools. The number one reason people invite me is Charles Dickens, but the truth is, I love talking about any topic related to 19th-century England.
I’m always open to creative ideas, too! For example, in November, at Babingtons, the oldest English tea room in Rome located in Piazza di Spagna, we organized a Frankenstein-themed tea event. It was a fun opportunity to entertain guests with traditional English dishes interspersed with stories about Frankenstein. The Babingtons staff had a great time crafting “bloody” dishes to keep the Mary Shelley mood alive!
I’m not an academic—I don’t see it as a badge of honor, but I do recognize the advantages: I explain history the way I’d like it to be explained to me. And most of the time, it resonates with people, which makes me incredibly happy.
What are your cultural projects?
I’m currently creating online content on a fairly regular basis, but at the same time, I’m working on writing my first book. In the past, I’ve mostly focused on translating and curating publications, mainly related to Dickens—specifically, his letters. I’ve published three volumes: two biographical ones with ABEditore and one focused on his writing techniques with minimumfax. But I’ve never written a book of my own until now.
It’s a project I’m pursuing independently for the moment, and I haven’t pitched it to any publishers yet. That said, if anyone’s interested in talking about it, I’m all ears!
And of course, I’m not even mentioning Bibliophiles! We’re working on some ideas to create new ways for enthusiasts to connect. I strongly believe in the power of networking as a tool for personal and professional growth, so I can’t wait to launch the first initiatives. As for me, I’ll be focusing on the Anglo-Saxon world since I’m the coordinator for the British side of the project.
What is your bibliophile dream?
Since I do own some Dickens manuscripts and objects that passed through his hands, I’d love to have a first edition of A Christmas Carol. I already have the first editions of the other four books, but not A Christmas Carol. Of course, that’s one of those items completely out of reach for regular people with normal jobs—but hey, dreaming doesn’t cost a thing!
