As a fan of Calvino I will say that If on a Winter’s Night a Traveller is somewhat more enjoyable after you've read a bunch of other Calvino, since it has a somewhat cheeky, self-referential feel and the more you sympathize with the author the more you may like it.
Numbers in the Dark is very good as a place to start.
Marcovaldo, Cosmicomics, Difficult Loves are my favorite. Baron in the Trees too.
I'd definitely suggest starting with these. His short story work is beautiful.
The Baron in the Trees is mentioned so rarely always, but it was one of the most influential books of my youth. A fantastic read.
In italian high schools you learn to hate a lot of what you do, just because you're a student and can't be bothered to enjoy an analysis of some themes - then when you're a bit older you start to appreciate what you hated much more
Invisible Cities is my absolute favorite of his short stories.
> Cosmicomics
Damn Qfwfq.
I absolutely loved Invisible Cities, but I couldn't get more than a couple of chapters into If on a Winter's Night. The first pages are very evocative, but it gets really repetitive with nothing to "progress" the "plot".
My impression (possibly mistaken) is that it's a product of its time that was innovative, but hasn't aged that well. More a fun puzzle box than something with emotional weight.
Given the above, what other Calvino work might appeal more to someone like me?