Fourteen years ago, journalist and writer Antonio Monda and film producer Davide Azzolini started Le Conversazioni, a literary festival that attracts international talent. Monda is known for his humor and cutting cultural commentary—for one of his documentaries, he began each interview with “Why do I like you?”—and his festival is likewise known for its witty atmosphere. This year, Le Conversazioni has been canceled, but there is a digital alternative: each week, Monda, jokingly playing a TV presenter, leads virtual conversations in his signature style, calling on three artists to read and discuss their favorite texts. The first episode featured novelist Ian McEwan on E. M. Forster; the most recent sees singer-songwriter Jovanotti reading Gabriel García Márquez. A new lineup of guests is announced each week, but we’ve been told future participants include Pulitzer and Grammy winners as well as Booker and Strega Prize recipients. —E.C.