Nonna Knows Best

by Jaclyn Crupi, Felicita Sala (Illustrator)

In Nonna Knows Best, Jaclyn Crupi celebrates the passion, generosity of spirit and good old- fashioned wisdom of nonnas and shares the secrets that make them so special, including mouth-watering recipes from la cucina della nonna (nonna’s kitchen), foolproof tips, sayings and advice for every life moment.

Charming, entertaining and insightful, Nonna Knows Best is the perfect gift for anyone in need of a big warm Italian hug (and a container full of leftover pasta).

288 pages, Hardcover

First published April 28, 2020

Reviews

[Jaclyn]

I wrote this book so cannot give a review but I poured all my love for my much-missed nonnas into it and it’s a love letter to them and all nonnas.

[ALPHAreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Nonna Knows Best’ by Jaclyn Crupi, “The Italian Art of Living Well” with illustrations by Felicita Sala is just about the cutest and most comforting book for the times!

This is a little love-letter and keepsake of culture, and surprisingly moving on so many levels ... Sure it’s practical too - offering recipes and home-living tips. But it’s also a reminder of the many ways we have to connect with each other, even when we’re not physically together. Memory and family, tradition and history - the power of community.

It’s really stunning and will make a perfect gift for so many who need the ability to find their inner-Nonna ❤️

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book when it came out during lockdown last year and it is a beautiful and warm read (though I have been too scared to try the recipes - yet!)

[Stefania · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lighthearted book, very ripetitive, it has a couple of nice recipes and funny loving memories of the nonna of the author. I say it again: the nonna of the author.
I’m Italian, born in Italy and I lived there for 20 years. Italian grandmothers are not all like that. This family was making their own wine!! They must be rich and own a vineyard because I don’t know anyone in Italy who does that.
I think it would have been better if it was a memoir or a novel, instead of a generalise book about grandmas.

[Emily (booksellersdiary) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brought back so many memories of cooking, harvesting from a kitchen garden and having coffee with my own Nonna. I miss her every day, thank you for bringing her back to me in this small way and for reminding me that I have so much of her in me. Here's to living our best Nonna lives!

[Stephanie Wescott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this little book. A sweet guide to living well.

[Remy Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Nonna gifted me this book while I was living abroad. A wholesome read that perfectly captures the essence of what it means to be and have a Nonna 💞🇮🇹🍝

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been very lucky to work with Jaclyn IRL, and my children will attest that I squealed out loud when I saw this on sale at my local bookshop.

It was perfect pick-me-up reading in lockdown #6, filled with gelato-coloured pictures and gems like:

'Babies cheeks aren't going to squeeze themselves'

'Stop asking me if I want wine with my meal. I'm Italian, just pour' - every Italian ever

'Nonnas don't fall victim to fads. They won't suddenly start creating fusion dishes. They see the beauty in doing things well and doing them often. So pick a thing and get really good at it. The way to get good at it is to do it a lot. A. Lot. Keep doing it. Teach other people how to do it. Enjoy doing it and doing it well. Keep doing it for as long as you possibly can.'

'So take a leaf out of Nonna's book: bring your friends together, serve them coffee and biscotti, chat and laugh ... then destroy them at cards.'

This was a ray of sunshine in an otherwise overcast, Groundhog Day Sunday that felt like a Monday, or possibly a Thursday, because every day at the moment seems to last 48 hours (at least) and looks exactly like my study.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting and fun book to read but a little bit repetitive. It is a book to read if you want something a little light-hearted that will make you laugh and maybe even reassess some things in your life.
Nonna Knows Best
Jaclyn Crupi

[Jess Zaffina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely not ashamed to say I teared up multiple times while reading this book. My Nonna passed away a few years ago and I regret not seeing her more often and talking to her about her life.

This book made some of my childhood memories come flooding back - weekends spent at her house with the extended family, picking loquats from her tree, helping her make lunch, stealing lollies from her secret stash, eating until I was just about ready to burst. There’s something about Nonnas, it doesn’t matter where in the world they are, they’re all the same!

[Nella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful reminder of who Nonna is and how to be one

[Heidi Swallow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this book. It’s a pleasurable and easy read with great photos. It will have you smiling, reminiscing and nodding in agreement as Jaclyn accurately captures the “Italian nonna” and culture perfectly. 👌🏻. I first read it during the first year of the pandemic (2020) and I’ve read it another two times since. I simply cannot part with this book- it is so joyous (that and I plan to try one or two of the recipes within the book one day!). It never fails to make me smile and giggle- so relatable. You can expect to read some tips, recipes, sayings and advice from “nonna”. Never was there a book that was so relatable. I wish I had a nonna! Highly recommend! 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the world seems complicated then What Nono knows best is just what you need. It’s philosophical without being complicated and its advice that has stood the test of time. If you want to live a life that maximises pleasure not only for you but for everyone around you this is it. If you want to understand how family matters then this helps explain the real importance of a Nonna lead approach to a good life. Read and read again whenever you need reminders about how to live your life.

[stasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ma che bellisima questa storia !
I absolutely loved it. And you bet I was crying like una bambina!!

This makes me appreciate my Nonna so much more, and trust me im already obsessed with her. But gosh I just wanna live with her forever.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy, wholesome read. Lovely illustrations and I enjoyed the addition of recipes. Great start but I found it got very repetitive.

[Andrew Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just brilliant.

[Zoe Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book isn't fine literature, but it is a precious reminder of what really is important in order to live la dolce vita!

[amelie · Rating 4 out of 5]

i met the author at a bookstore she was lovely please read her book