The Queen of the Big Time by Adriana Trigiani Buy book: $15.72
An epic of small-town life, spanning a century in one family's struggle to preserve their culture and unity in a foreign land, "The Queen of the Big Time" is the story of the determined, passionate woman who shepherds them through decades of change, but who cannot forget her first and, she believes, only true love.
"Our Lady of Mount Carmel," brought back memories of the feast day celebrated in Astoria Queens,NY and which I happily looked forwarad to as a child. I am of Italian extraction, and find myself very much like the child Nella in this story. I'm sure I will read this through the last excerpt, and maybe even purchase it. Thanks for providing a much hoped for "ethnic" flavor to your selections.
I met the author at the Printer's Row Book Fair in Chicago last June. She is warm, wacky, and wonderful. She really seems to enjoy meeting her fans. I like this book and would recommend it (and her others) to anyone.
This is an example of wanting to read the book just because of all the positive reviews here! Because of them I am trying a little harder with this. A friend had told me "Lucia, Lucia" is wonderful and how much I would love it, so I am happy to see something by this author and am trying to get into it. So far I like it OK but not enough to go out and get it. But some books just take a little longer to hook.I'll keep trying!
I read a book by this author but I forgot the title. I just delivered a box of books to my library and I guess that book was in the box. This book was about an italian modern day woman who marries a guy from the town who is not very educated.Lots of interesting characters!! I hope somebody can help me recall the title.
Doesn't sound like LUCIA, LUCIA, which was a delightful read. Maybe one of the Stone Gap Trilogy. I just checked out the second in that series, BIG CHERRY HOLLER. From the jacket blurb, I'm betting that's the one you read. This author has such an engaging style, she makes the pages just fly by.
And in response to the query about the length of our daily read, I haven't noticed because I'm not reading along this week. I have noticed, however, that when I'm really taken by the book, the read seems to go faster, and when I'm not, it seems to go on for an eternity.
I heard about the author from a friend who is from the same town as the author. My friend introduced me to some very well written stories that took me away from the cold winter nights. Queen of the Big Time (audio) kept me company as I drove to and fro on my job (about 200 miles/day. I recommend it to anyone who wants to read something written intelligently and compassionately about people and their lives.
You are right about the short reads. Up until the last week of January, reads went from 12-14 K, some 15K and one even 16K, down to 9k and 10K up until the end of last week. This week they went up some. What is, or hopefully was, going on? Do tell us Suzanne. Curious minds want to know. :)
Thanks for asking about the reads. My apologies for not responding sooner. I've been in Manhattan. One of the main missions at the book clubs is to reach out to reluctant readers. People who don't think they have the time to read. So we've redesigned the reads, in hopes of making it easier for new readers to get started. Last week and this week we adjusted the size of the reads and we're still in the "noodling" process. I'm thinking of making the Monday and Tuesday reads a little shorter and then presenting the rest of the usual material that you receive, in the other three days of the week. So then when new readers come on board, "testing the waters" so to speak, to see if they have the time to read,they'll find out that they do. If the book is a good match for them, they'll want to keep reading the rest of the week. That's the plan. I'm always trying to find ways to make it easy for people to get back into the habit of reading. Don't worry, we'll be back to a normal routine soon. Any ideas for attracting "reluctant" readers, be sure and email me.Together we can get people reading again. Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends. Suzanne Beecher
Thanks for the explanation, Suzanne. As a retired teacher of reluctant readers, I know that your reasoning is sound. Reluctant readers do not necessarily get their "jollies" in a book, but it's amazing the extent they will go if they get hooked. One of my students said he had never read anything from start to finish since Dr. Seuss (he was 19, a "super senior", and anxious to graduate, having failed English 2 times). I read a bit of E.A. Poe to the class at the beginning of the period, stopped at a part where I knew they'd want to know more. Most completed the short story by the end of the period. My super senior was so proud of himself for completing a story, that he became a Poe fan for life. He keeps in touch and thanks me for making him a "reader for keeps." Your plan has the marks of success. So glad you are always out there "noodling."
This stratagy of shortening the early weeks reads to attract "new" bookclub members is a very good idea- and so sun tzu( our selection from the business club this week). Keep the new ideas coming.
One of the problems I find in my life is that I'm so busy & my mind so occupied, that I simply can't *concentrate* like I should. Isn't it horrible? If a book or article doesn't grab my attention in the 1st couple of sentences, I have trouble making myself stick with it. The idea of a short read to get started lets me know if a book will keep me interested long enough to want to finish it!!!
This book sounded okay. It was kind of interesting but the excerpt did not catch my attention right away. I would have chosen another excerpt with a little more going on. This excerpt explained nothing that important other than her sister is spoiled. I would probably read it but it would not be a first choice.
I saved this up to read all in one go and I'm so glad I did. It was as good as mama's sponge cake (nice recipe!)I lived in Italy for five years, in a rural farming community, and although this book is "American" and set in a past century, it still reminds me of the local people I met and the way of life, which I miss. Apart from that, the book is a real page turner and the characters so well developed in few brief paragraphs you just want to know more. I was sorry when the excerpts came to an end.
My library carries this book on CD, so it's great fun to multi-task. I enjoy quilting during cold weather months. That does not leave my hands free to turn pages. So it's been great to listen to Adriana Tagiani's wonderful characters tell their tale as I quilt away!
