Author: Donna Tartt

A quilting friend gave me this book; I was unsure about accepting it because I’ve had other friends who really didn’t like it. Even Sandra said I’d probably be bored with it about half-way through but I should carry on with it. Well I wasn’t bored at all with the story although I admit I was bored and a little annoyed by the Boris character.

Essentially the book is about a painting (The Goldfinch by Carel Fabricius) that a young Theo stole from a museum after an explosion killed his mother and traumatized him. Theo’s life wasn’t easy, living with a father who didn’t seem to care for him (and the feeling was returned), but he always took comfort in knowing he had the painting – or did he?

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Author: Christopher Gastellani

This is the final book in the trilogy about Maddalena who travels to America as a young bride married to a man she hasn’t chosen. In the past 50 years she has never returned to Italy and she has lost contact with most of her family who remained there.

Now seems to be the time for the Grasso family to return to the Old Country but Maddalena refuses to go. As the book progresses time is not kind to Maddalena and the family make a quick decision to return to Santa Cecilia.

It was interesting to read the Author’s Notes at the end of the book. Much of the story is based on his mother’s history and that of her family.

Goodreads Rating: * * *

Author: Marie Benedict

I’ve joined a couple of Facebook groups that recommend books and this came from one of them.

About all I knew of the Carnegie’s was Carnegie Hall. There is some background on the family in the book, although it is a novel. According to the book Andrew Carnegie was a ruthless businessman until he had what was considered an abrupt change of heart and he became the world’s first philanthropist. And why shouldn’t that change of heart be due to his love of his mother’s maid?

The maid’s story is a complete work of fiction, but the book was a quick and enjoyable read.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *

Author: Erica Bauermeister

This was another of Reese’s book club picks. There is a spin-off group on Facebook (Fans of Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club) and some of the readers didn’t seem to like the book but I thought it was great.

It is a simple but interesting story of a family who have incredible senses of smell. It is those traits that break the family up but, in the end, bring it back together.

I would love to know where the story is set. The author is American but the settings she describes could very well be in my own spot in the world.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *