What a treat arrived in my mailbox yesterday . . . a Goodreads Giveaway book written by Adriana Trigiani, one of my favorite authors! I've enjoyed many of her novels, but this latest book is a nonfiction entitled Don't Sing at the Table: Life Lessons from My Grandmothers. I was expecting a series of funny quotes from her ancestors, but this turns out to be a delightful memoir of history, love, sacrifice, fine examples of work and ethics, and much food for thought, extremely well-written. And yes, there is humor, too. The family photos that are included add much to this story. I found myself referring back to them often.

I started this book about 5:00 p.m. and forced myself to stop reading at 2:00 a.m. I finished it today, and highly recommend this to granddaughters, daughters, mothers, and grandmothers everywhere! (OK, even their male counterparts might like this.) If you are fortunate enough to have a good relationship already, you may enjoy comparing your experiences with these women; if you feel you would like a better relationship, there is a lot of good advice you may be able to use.

Adriana's grandmothers were born in the era of my own mother (1905), so I could relate to many of her tales through stories from her. Unfortunately, I met only one of my grandmothers, and she died when I was very young. It made me sad not to have been able to have had this opportunity. However, my own children were able to know both of their grandmothers for nearly 40 years of their lives. I can't wait to share this book with them! I also hope to use some of these "lessons" as I continue to enjoy my wonderful life as Grandma Mum!

These two strong women lived very different lives, but both had faith, love, and hope to get them through good and bad times, and to be wonderful role models. I was surprised that both were working mothers during a time when most women were stay-at-home moms. I found their stories very eye-opening and was impressed with their self-taught educations. I loved how the author related the working world of the past to the times we are facing now. Why can't we learn from history?!

Ms Trigiani is a lucky woman, and obviously knows and appreciates it!

As much as I liked this book, I could not give it a five star rating. I found the beginning of the book far more interesting than some parts in the middle and end, and the author also repeated tales a few times. However, it gets a strong four!