Shoes and Italians

I do like books by Adriana Trigiani. Her latest, Very Valentine, is about a girl working in the family business making exquisite hand made shoes. The company was set up by her grandfather and the book describes traditional methods and traditions. Of course, there is romance, with a chef and the descriptions of his recipes are just sumptuous and had my mouth watering! As with all her stories, it is loosely based on her Italian family, and there is a wonderful visit back to Italy, which Valentine takes with her grandmother. It is such an enjoyable story, and I am really looking forward to the sequel. As usual, the author slips in recipes, which I think make the books that extra bit special, because you can bring the story to life in your kitchen. If you like, food, shoes, Italy, romance, drama, then this is the book for you.

Cook book

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the famous food writer and cook, Prue Leith, writes fictional novels too. Choral Society is about three women in their fifties who are going through different life challenges, and meet at a choir meeting. They are completely different from each other, but become great friends. It is a very empowering story, and good to read a book demonstrating that you don't have to have a man to be successful and that life doesn't end at 30. It was a good, easy read, and really interesting. I learnt so much about food-writing, and food photography. Made me want to have a go. Plus there was the bonus that the book was set in Yorkshire, Cotswolds, London and Cornwall, all wonderful places in England.