Sketch First

Our First Year: Sketches from an Alpine Village is the true story of an American couple's first year living abroad in northern Italy. Told through short, often humorous sketches, this book introduces the reader to life in Italy's South Tirol region through the eyes of newly arrived American residents. Centered in the small alpine village of Tret, the people, language, and customs here come to life through a personal narrative of everyday living.

This audiobook is narrated by the author with a foreword to explain the motivations and acknowledge the inspirational works and individuals behind it. It represents a first collection of 11 "sketch poems", capturing scenes from life and travels, complementing them with sketches and/or photos of the locations. The intent is to capture the moment in three different ways, personalized to greater or lesser degrees in words, sketches, and photos.

My name is Devin, but everybody calls me Sketch. I opened my own tattoo shop two years ago, and I've finally gotten to the point where I'm going to be able to give my wife everything she's ever wanted. I'm going to be able to take time off and spend a day a week with her. In fact, tonight, I stopped and grabbed some wine, got her flowers, and those chocolates she likes. What I wasn't prepared for was to be met at the front door by her carrying her shit out.