Always on Sunday

by Marcia A. Russotto

During the fifties and early sixties in the small town of Sharpsburg, outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Italian immigrants celebrated each day with love, family, and food (mamma mia, the food!). Always on Sunday is a love story in which the author's passion for Sharpsburg shines through with memories of a childhood filled with magical summer days, cherished holidays, colorful neighborhood characters, and an unbreakable tie to family. The author also includes the Pugliese family's treasured recipes from their proud Calabrian roots. Take a heartwarming glimpse back in time to the author's simple and uncomplicated life in the small-in-size-yet-large-in love little town of Sharpsburg. Marcia Russotto's writing has appeared in the newly released book Daily Devotions for Writers, as well as in Primo magazine. Always on Sunday is her first book. She was born and raised in Sharpsburg, PA. during the 50's and 60's and now lives in Gibsonia, PA and Hilton Head, SC with her husband Sam. She spends her time reading, writing, and taking care of her grandson. Sundays are still reserved for family meals.

116 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 2008

Reviews

[Matthew]

This book was very nice insight into the culture and sentimentality that surrounds the town of Sharpsburg, PA. Smack dab between Etna and Fox Chapel on the North Hills side of the Allegheny River, this book very briefly brings to life the character of the people who inhabited a small town. With many of the people and names being distant cousins of mine (different side of my family resided in Sharpsburg for five generations) and a great uncle who is metioned in the book, it is not difficult to picture the "simpler time" the author is trying to allude to. While the book does devolve into repetitiveness about how great Sharpsburg was in the same way that my aunts do when they talk about their childhood in the town, it's nice to read about the town's more recent history from a different perspective.

If you want to glean some information about what it was like to be a Pittsburgh Italian living in the North Hills after World War II, this book provides a small dose of that.

[Michele]

I read this touching story in one sitting. It brought back so many memories of my childhood. I also grew up in a small Italian neighborhood outside of Pittsburgh. Even though I grew up one decade later, our childhoods were very similar. I felt as if the author was describing my Grandparents.
I received this book as a gift from my Italian Father and it will remain on my keeper shelf. I look forward to trying some of the recipes in the back of the book.

[Melanie]

Very short, but a nice read. A memoir of growing up in an Italian family. It was kind of neat because she grew up in Sharpsburg, PA, which isn't too far from where I live. I knew where some of the places were that she talked about. Also included Italian recipes.