Mailbox Monday for August 11

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia who now blogs at To Be Continued. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Mailbox Monday now has a permanent home on its blog. Link up to share your MM.

While vacationing in Wildwood, NJ last week and shopping at the local grocery store, I saw a pile of books on sale and, of course, I was drawn to look through them, while my hubby kindly reminded me I have more books at home that I know what to do with. But, oh! to resist buying a new book on vacation? I just couldn't, especially when I stumbled upon this one:

The Sun and Other Stars by Brigid Pasulka

In the seaside village of San Benedetto, a resort town on the Italian Riviera, twenty-two year- old Etto finds himself adrift. Within the past year, Etto has not only lost both his twin brother and his mother, but in his grief has become estranged from his father, the local butcher. While his father passes the time with the men of the town in the fine tradition of Italian men everywhere—a reverential obsession with soccer—Etto retreats ever further from his day-to-day life, seeking solace in the hills above the town.

But then a Ukrainian soccer star, the great Yuri Fil, sweeps into San Benedetto, taking refuge himself from an international scandal. Soon Yuri and his captivating tomboy sister Zhuki invite Etto into their world of sport, celebrity, loyalty, and humor. Under their influence, Etto begins to reconstruct his relationship with his father and, slowly, open himself back up to the world. Who knows: perhaps the game of soccer isn’t just a waste of time, and perhaps San Benedetto, his father, love, and life itself might have more to offer him than he ever believed possible.

The Sun and Other Stars is a gorgeous, celebratory tale about families, compromise, and community, and about how losses can be transformed into hope. Irresistible and unforgettable, it is a shimmering miracle of a book.

How could I pass up this one with such a good story line and setting? Besides I think the cover is gorgeous. Have any of you read it?

Adriana Trigiani is on tour with Italy Book Tours!

For the next two weeks, Adriana Trigiani is touring her latest book, The Supreme Macaroni Company with Italy Book Tours. This is the third book in the Valentine Trilogy and can be read as a stand alone. I love the cover of this book. It reminds me of my summer in Ostia, Italy when I was 18 and stayed with my cousins who lived by the sea, their home facing the large rocks I loved to sit on. Much like the woman on the cover of this book.

For those of you familiar with Trigiani's books, you know she builds unforgettable characters. All her books have an Italian them, and will make you laugh and sometimes cry. But mostly they will make you fall in love with Italian American families.

I had the pleasure of meeting Adriana at Book Expo America, when she came to the line of readers who were waiting in line to get an autographed copy of this book. She took the time to shake everyone's hand before making her way back to the table to begin autographing. Her popularity and New York bestseller status have not gone to this author's head. She is down to earth, friendly and open. That, and the fact that she writes great books have gained her a slew of loyal readers.

Follow Adriana's tour schedule from August 4 to 15 and read the reviews of The Supreme Macaroni Company. I'm so excited to have her on tour with Italy Book Tours, and I hope you get a chance to read her books!