Adriana Trigiani has been called an "amazing young talent."  Have you read any of her books?  Which would you recommend?

Hello from another Anna (my name is pronounced ah-nah)! I have read Big Stone Gap, Big Cherry Holler, Milk Glass Moon and Home to Big Stone Gap. This series is excellent. I hear that a movie is in the works....I did not, however, care much for her independent novels. Read about Trigiana at:

www.adrianatrigiani.com

I loved the Big Stone Gap series - I've read the first three so far.

I too have loved the Big Stone Gap series. Read all of them.

Can't say anything about her other books though, but will read them.

I just picked up Big Stone Gap, Big Cherry Holler, Milk Glass Moon... can't wait to read

I've read all of Adriana Trigiani's books and the only one I didn't care much for was Rococo. I started with the Big Stone Gap series and picked up Queen of the Big Time because I enjoyed that series so much. Queen of the Big Time was wonderful but my favorite Trigiani book is Lucia, Lucia. I have it on my keeper shelf to share with friends :)

Hi to Anna W. (I love our name!  I was named after my grandmother) thanks for the info.  I'm looking forward to reading the BIG STONE GAP series.  I want to read it before the movie comes out.  I will also order LUCIA, LUCIA (on Kathy A.  recommendation)

Wishing you all the best!

My two favorite books by Trigiani are Lucia, Lucia and Queen of the Big Time.  I also enjoyed Rococo but have not read the  Big Stone Gap Trilogy.  I just received a copy of her cookbook.  Cooking with my sisters.  It has a lot of recipes that my mother used to make.  My Nonnie came from Bari, Italy  as does some of  Trigiani's family.

How difficult are the recipes in her cookbook?  Is it classic Italian food?

She is one of my favorite authors.   Her books just pull me in and there is always a good story there.    I love them.

I loved the Big Stone Gap books. Maybe it's because I come from a rural/small-town area that I really connected with the characters. I also loved Lucia, Lucia. I liked Rococco, but if you are not into design, you may find some of the descriptions go on overlong. The characters are a hoot, though.

Regarding the previous recommendation of Barbara Kingsolver's The Bean Trees, I would not pick that as a first novel by her. It's a little darker, and as an early (first?) novel, it does not showcase her writing skills as well. Pigs In Heaven or Prodigal Summer are probably better places to start. (Pigs In Heaven is a sequel to The Bean Trees, but they can absolutely be read independently of one another). Honestly, though, I'm not sure that Kingsolver would be the best companion works for Trigiani. Trigiani is pretty accessible in that I think most would enjoy her books. Kingsolver is often one who provokes a love or hate response. Not as much as some, but she's definitely a little less broad appeal.