Don't Sing at the Table: Life Lessons from My Grandmothers...Review

About the book:
New York Times bestselling author Adriana Trigiani’s gift for illuminating the profound challenges and issues defining women’s lives has propelled her novels to the top of bestseller lists and earned her a wide, devoted readership. Now, she shares the roots of those insights—the wisdom handed down to her from her unforgettable grandmothers, Lucia and Viola, which she began collecting for her own daughter—with readers everywhere.

Filled with practical, sage advice, and infused with Trigiani’s trademark warmth, love, and humor, Don’t Sing at the Table introduces a pair of feisty, intelligent, and strong forces of nature whose lives embody the story of 20th-century America itself. Between them, the extraordinary Lucia and Viola lived through the century from beginning to end, surviving immigration, young widowhood, single motherhood, four wars, and the Great Depression. Culled from their remarkable experiences, this heartfelt guide, at turns hilarious and poignant, offers answers to the seminal questions in a woman’s life, from getting married to saving money, nurturing the soul to keeping calm in a crisis, raising children to finding private comfort.

This is a warm, poignant tribute to the author's grandmothers.  That Adriana loved and admired her grandmothers is very apparent.  The life lessons learned are relevant to us today.  I have not read anything by Adriana Trigiani and wasn't familiar with her at all before I read this book and so to me, this was simply a lovely accolade to two women who lived normal, ordinary lives but who, to one woman, were exceptional.  I love memoirs and family histories and this tribute was poignant and thoughtful.  I have a great deal of love and respect for my grandmothers, I learned many life lessons from them and I miss them.

Many of the life lessons in this book are simply rooted in common sense, but Adriana shares stories and anecdotes that emphasize and enrich them.

I have two complaints about the book. First, for a book that is so vividly rich and descriptive, there were annoying grammatical issues.  I just have a thing with verbs and tenses agreeing. Second, towards the last part of the book, the author became preachy on her views and ideas of religion and raising children.  That tone really disappointed me. Overall though, this is a sweet tribute by a granddaughter to her grandmothers.  The inclusion of some favorite recipes is a bonus.

Thanks to Trish at TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to review this book.  You can learn more about Adriana Trigiani here.  You can purchase your own copy here.  You can see other reviews and tour stops here.

Tuesday, October 4th: Books Like Breathing
Wednesday, October 5th: Life In Review
Thursday, October 6th: Write Meg!
Tuesday, October 11th: Bookstack
Wednesday, October 12th: The Bodacious Pen
Thursday, October 13th: Book Hooked Blog
Monday, October 17th: Among Stories
Tuesday, October 18th: Good Girl Gone Redneck
Wednesday, October 19th: A Bookish Libraria
Thursday, October 20th: Laura’s Reviews
Monday, October 24th: Alison’s Book Marks
Wednesday, October 26th: The Road to Here
Thursday, October 27th: Amusing Reviews
Friday, October 28th: 2 Kids and Tired Book Reviews
Monday, October 31st: Redlady’s Reading Room
Tuesday, November 1st: Chocolate & Croissants
TBD: StephTheBookworm

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Read 10/11

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4/5 Stars

Comments

  1. This looks like a book I would enjoy, thanks for the giveaway.

    I am a follower.

    annesbookgarden@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi, you may know this already, but if not at least one of your posts feature here on the blog
    Link
    http://jiminiysbooks.blogspot.com/2011/09/reign-of-madnessreviewdnf.html
    As well as at least a dozen from mine, I've asked them to remove then, but thought it fair to let others know.
    Parrish.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounds like a good book and I put it on my TBR and wishlist. Thanks for letting us know about it.


    (Sorry I'm at work & can't sign out of my work gmail so have to use anonymous.)

    maynekitty [at] live [dot] com

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  4. I adored this book - it made me wish I'd had the chance to know my grandmothers longer.

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  5. Sounds like a wonderful read! I remember getting all kinds of "advice" from my 2 great aunties.

    GFC follower as Karen B.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sounds like a cute book. I really should NOT enter this giveaway because I have WAY too many books on my shelf to read from the library. But I will anyways!

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  7. My mother used to say the same thing to me when I was growing up: "No singing at the table!"

    Please count me in.

    I follow

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ooh, I didn't realize there were recipes in this one! I wonder how they compare to my own Italian family's recipes?!

    I'm that you enjoyed this book in spite of those minor complaints. Thanks for being a part of the tour!

    ReplyDelete