My New Happy: My Favorite Books - Adriana Trigiani

Friday, June 6, 2014

My Favorite Books - Adriana Trigiani

Reading a good book stops you from multi tasking.  In my case, no truer words have been spoken.  I have a bad habit of doing two things at once.  But when I pick up a good book, I get lost in the story and forget about the world around me for a little while.  Maybe that's why reading is so good for the soul!

It's the first Friday of the month already, so it's time for me to share another favorite author.  I've read enough classics and dark fiction, and these days I love to indulge in books that make me happy or enrich my life in some way. Summer reading is my favorite, and I love getting ideas for new authors to try while I'm on vacation.  If you missed last month's suggestion, you can see it here.

This month I'm recommending:  

Adriana Trigiani
author of 
The Valentine trilogy:  Very Valentine, Brava Valentine, and The Supreme Macaroni Company.


It was hard for me to choose my favorite book by Adriana because I enjoy them all.  She has written 28 novels, including a series for young adults.  Adriana is an Italian-American writer who uses her own family history to color her stories, and it's obvious that she knows her subject well! 

The Valentine trilogy centers around Valentine Roncalli, who leaves her teaching job to apprentice with her grandmother and take over the Angelini Shoe Company, a family owned business in Greenwich Village.  The company makes beautiful custom wedding shoes, and it falls to Valentine to help the struggling business transition into the 20th century.  At the same time she is trying to manage her hysterical Italian family and find the love of her life.

My other favorite is The Shoemaker's Wife.  This book begins in the Italian Alps in 1910 with a young boy and girl who form a new friendship, but are soon parted by life's circumstances. Years later they meet again in New York City.  Trigiani was inspired by the story of her grandparents, Lucia and Carlo, and she worked on it for over twenty years.  It's a beautiful mix of historical fiction and meant-to-be love, and I couldn't put it down.


Adriana writes with a very descriptive voice.  As I'm reading I feel vividly immersed in the people, culture and surroundings.  Even though I've never been to Italy, I feel like I'm there as I read her books.  Adriana creates well drawn characters that are smart and funny. The books are full of life and love - perfect for a summer reading list!


18 comments:

  1. OH my, I think this book may be meant for me...a former teacher who leaves her job to work with shoes. I need to do that! I'm adding this to my summer read list! Thanks, Lana!!!

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    1. It does sound made for you! I think you would really enjoy the series!

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  2. I wasn't familiar with her...thanks for the introduction...sounds like something I would enjoy!

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    1. With your love of fashion, I think you would really enjoy her!

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  3. I read one of her books quite a while ago, and it was enjoyable fiction. The Shoemaker's Wife has been on my list for a while, now I will try harder to get it from the library!

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    1. Anything you can get that she has written is good!

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  4. I NEED to start makign time to read for fun, I miss it.
    I tried reading a book I've been reading for a while now, but I'm always so tired at night that it puts me right to sleep.

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    1. Reading always makes me so sleepy too! I wish I had more time to read.

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  5. Love, love, love Adriana Trigiani!! Met her at a local bookstore when she was promoting The Shoemaker's Wife and was hooked on her and her books ever since. So many great reads to choose from. The Shoemaker's Wife is lovely. Also read Lucia Lucia. She is my go-to author.

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    1. That's so cool that you got to meet her. I love everything she's written. Thanks for stopping by!

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  6. I loved The Shoemaker's Wife but I have not read any of her others. I really need to spend more time with a good book! I'm glad you made these suggestions! Have a great weekend!

    Jill
    dousedinpink.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Jill. I need to make more time for reading too!

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  7. I'm so glad I came to read this blog today, I love summer book suggestions and can't wait to dig into these.

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  8. I haven't heard of this author, but I'll check her out. I love book recommendations!

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  9. I've heard that the Shoemaker's Wife is really good---- going to have to check it out this summer!

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    1. Any of her books would be good summer reading!

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