The pleasant abode of Sheridan Mansion in South Mumbai feels like a different world. Here, amidst the immediately quaint and delightful chime of a grandfather clock, and two loved and lazing cats, Priya Pereira has been working for the upcoming exhibition, India Beyond The Page, at the Biblioteca Riccardiana in Florence starting September 24.

“You will have to stop me talking about my books; I can ramble on,” jokes Priya, as she brings out the 11 books that will be displayed in the Italian public library building that traces its roots back to the Medicis of The Renaissance. “They house Dante’s Divine Comedy and Archimedes, too,” shares husband Tony Pereira, the writing half of the duo.