Guide books stink

More than a decade ago, when Brian took me to Europe for a month, I prepared by reading (studying!) guidebooks.  I read them cover-to-cover and made notes.  We, long before, had learned to disregard lodging and restaurant recommendations in these books but used them for sightseeing, sidetrip planning and transportation guidance.  But, now, the easiest way to put myself to sleep is to sit and try to read one of these things.  Perhaps I've totally become a "child" of technology.  When I can go to zappos or amazon, type search terms and select all the filters I want, I'm annoyed when I can't do that with other research material.  So, Frommer's, Fodor's, Rick Steves, Lonely Planet...  I'd gladly pay for the price of your guide book for an interactive guide.  I've been to your sites, and there is a lot of content there, but it involves a whole lot of clicking and going back.  Perhaps I just need to set aside my tendency to read anything, even non-fiction, from page one to page xx and flip through just looking for what I'm interested in.  

If anyone has any "don't miss" recommendations for Italy, please share.  I'm starting to make a list...  ;-)