7/25/12

A Few Great Books


Another great immigrant story....my favorite kind of book.  Perfect for picking up and putting down all day long.  Or starting and falling asleep 5 minutes later, in spite of the fact that you have looked forward to reading it all day long.

After I read that book, I went on a Adriana Trigiani kick, and read these two which I loved just as much.


I own this non-fiction book by Trigiani I picked up for a Christmas present for myself last year, but re-read it...it is a memoir of sorts of both her grandmother's lives, which all these books were based on.  SO much old-fashioned wisdom, examples of the strong work-ethic that existed long ago and practical advice.  I turned down even more pages than I had the first time.




I found such inspiration in this book-I wish I could have known my grandmothers better, talked with them more, and gleaned from them their own thoughts and feelings and no doubt deep wisdom on family and work and life in general.  I love this generation's reminders-I know it's good for me to hear them sometimes too.

22 comments:

  1. Definitely pinned this and will look out for them while I am out and about. Sent my mother in Uk A lantern in her Hand and she loved it. I am reading it myself now. Love your recommendations.

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  2. I'm with you, I love all of her books. She has a series of books that you would probably love, too.

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  3. I'm with you, I love all of her books. She has a series of books that you would probably love, too.

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  4. My kids hear me say, "Don't sing at the table" every dinnertime :)

    I'm going to look for that one right NOW. Thank you!

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  5. LOVE Adrianna Trigiani! Her Big Stone Gap Trilogy is wonderful also. Trigiani is such a wonderful writer that her characters truly feel like old friends. LOVE your blog Sarah, you too feel like an old friend. Look forward to each post. Thanks for sharing your life and wisdom.

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  6. Well said. The work ethic and devotion to family from generations past is something so lacking at times in our society.

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  7. I can't wait to check these out. I always love your recommendations . I even finished A Fortumate Life and was so glad I did . I only checked it out and renewed it twice ! I'm reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and it will go on my list of all time favorites right behind To Kill A Mockingbird. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it.

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  8. I just finished her BIg Stone Gap. Loved it! Now, I am in the middle of Big Cherry Holler and next will be Milk Glass Moon. So glad my friend introduced me to Adriana Trigiani!

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  9. She is my absolute favorite author! I have read every one of her books. Rococo is her best.

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  10. Don't miss out on her Big Stone Gap series either - wonderful!!

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  11. I just started Big Stone Gap on a suggestion from our librarian. I'm on the second chapter & I'm hooked!

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  12. When the Shoemaker's Wife came out, Adriana Trigiani had a limited offer through facebook in which if you sent her names, she would autograph bookplates. So, I purchased three books (one for me, my sister, and my mother) for Mother's Day and presented them with the autographed bookplates!

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  13. Loved the Big Stone Gap series (now there are 4 books in that collection) that I wish I hadn't read them...so I could read them again! Also read both Valentine books. When I find an author I love I have to read ALL their work! I have done the same thing with Elizabeth Berg...she's amazing!

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  14. This post has perfect timing! I am currently without a book and it makes me sad because that 's what I look forward to at the end of every crazy day when my house is finally quiet. And, we were planning on going to the library today. :)

    Here's hoping I can find one of those!

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  15. Ditto the other comments and your post! I love Adriana Trigiani. I too recommend the Big Gap series. They are great and what got me hooked on reading her books.

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  16. I just placed a hold on The Shoemaker's Wife with my library. Thanks for the recommendations. I love to find new authors! :)

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  17. I loved Lucia, Lucia. I'll have to check out Don't Sing at the Table.

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  18. I love Adriana Trigiani's work. I've read almost all of her books except for the latest. Her books are wonderful. I so agree with you.

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  19. These sound like great recommendations...I'm particularly interested in the "Life Lessons from My Grandmothers". I agree with you...I wish I had spent more quality time with my grandmothers and great-grandmothers. Asked more specific questions about their lives and the challenges they faced. It's amazing how as we get older, we feel such a deeper connection and appreciation for our ancestors. :-)

    Thanks again for sharing these recommendations.

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  20. Trigiani is one of my favorites. If you haven't read Lucia, Lucia, read it. It's a quick read and SO good!

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  21. Just finished "The Island" by Victoria Hislop. If you like Trigiani I think you'll like this one. Multi-generational story of a Greek family with an interesting twist...

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  22. I came across your blog while reading some blogging 101 tips on Living In Yellow.
    I'm looking forward to reading much much much more and to stopping by your cheerful little place a lot more often.
    But for now, I'm off to bed.
    Far too late.
    And tomorrow I'm checking into getting a book by Adriana Trigiani!!
    So happy to find someone else that LOVES immigrant stories too!!!!
    I'll let you know what I think.

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