In a world like today’s, in which social media rule and, generally speaking, the virtual aspect of our relations is predominant over the traditional face-to-face meetings, I AM Books - Italian and Italian-American bookstore and cultural hub - brainchild of Nicola Orichuia and Jim Pinzino, looks like a green oasis in the core of Boston’s North End, where all the Italophiles can meet in person, listen to book presentations, or to good music performed live, in the desert of ever withering get-togethers.

In 2015, in the course of an award ceremony, Nicola got to know Jim, as the latter was being recognized for his dedication and contributions to the local Italian-American community. They, then, met a few more times and the idea that sparked the bookstore came from one of those meetings.