Celebrate Italian American Heritage Month with us this October by exploring books that highlight the rich traditions, histories, and experiences of Italian American communities. From stories of family and identity to fascinating histories and beloved classics, our library has recommendations for every kind of reader. Discover a new author, learn something new, or find your next favorite read from our Italian American Heritage Month picks!
Four women from different backgrounds become godmothers to one another’s children while building new lives in 1930s New York.
In postwar Italy, the passionate romance between a count’s son and a tailor’s daughter is shattered when political divisions force them to betray each other.
In Renaissance Venice, Orsola secretly learns the forbidden art of glassmaking to save her family from financial ruin.
When a writer travels to Italy to finish his book, a missing rental car leaves him stranded until he accepts an unusual alternative: a bulldozer.
Beginning in Italy, Josephine is forced into an arranged marriage and eventually builds a family in America, raising seven children while keeping one devastating secret: the daughter she gave up for adoption.
At the turn of the twentieth century, a young Italian woman leaves her village for America, hoping to build a better life with her husband in the factories of Detroit.
Growing up in a poor neighborhood of Naples, Elena and her friend Lila navigate childhood, adolescence, and changing expectations for their futures alongside a rapidly transforming Italy.
In postwar South Philadelphia, Nicky Castone is torn between the conventional life his family expects and his dream of becoming an actor.
After discovering she has a teenage half-sister who has been orphaned in Italy, a bestselling novelist travels to the Amalfi Coast with her best friend and his charming brother.
In Nazi-occupied Italy, a young Jewish woman escapes Venice and poses as the new bride of a former seminarian to hide from deportation.
This history reveals the overlooked contributions of women who fought against Nazi occupation and Italian fascism during World War II.
A history of the powerful Medici family, challenging the traditional image of them as enlightened rulers and great patrons of the Renaissance.
A behind-the-scenes exploration of Pompeii, revealing the city’s daily life, art, and final hours before the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
A biography of Leonardo da Vinci that explores the connection between his art, science, and technological innovations.
An intimate memoir exploring the connection between food, family, and life through Stanley Tucci’s Italian American upbringing and career.
A behind-the-scenes look at The Sopranos, examining the show’s artistry, themes, portrayal of Italian Americans, and lasting influence on modern television.
A collection of fiction, poetry, memoirs, oral histories, and journalism exploring the diverse Italian American experience in New Jersey.
A history of the Venetian Ghetto, the first Jewish ghetto in Europe, tracing its origins, hardships, and enduring cultural legacy from the sixteenth century to the present.
More than 125 traditional Italian recipes gathered from grandmothers across Italy and the United States. Featuring dishes for major holidays, regional celebrations, and special occasions!
A guide to authentic Italian cooking, combining classic recipes with essential techniques, ingredients, and cooking advice.
