The Violinist of Venice: A Story of Vivaldi by Alyssa Palombo 429 pages

This was a beautiful book that will enthrall all lovers of classical music.  Picture Venice, early 1700's.  Adriana d'Amato is all but a prisoner in her own home.  Her mother died when she was young and her overprotective father has taken away music from the house.  It is a too painful reminder of the wife he has lost.  But at 18, Adriana seeks out the Maestro to teach her the violin. The music speaks to her soul and her fingers dance of their own accord.  But soon, the two are drawn to each other and begin an affair that will change forever both their lives. Spanning more than 30 years, this is a tale of music, love and finding the strength to survive what fickle fate does to your dreams. 

Historical Notes and Discussion Questions included.

The Serpent of Venice by Christopher Moore, 336 pages

Christopher Moore writes howl out loud funny books. The "Serpent of Venice" features Pocket, who was the protagonist in "Fool." This book is a little bit of Shakespeare's "Othello" and "The Merchant of Venice," along with a dose of and Edgar Allan Poe's “The Cask of Amontillado.” There's some real history here too, but don't be too married to that.
If you enjoy humor, irony, are not easily offended and don't mind the f-bomb being dropped pretty frequently, then I'm pretty confident you will enjoy this tale. And if you are a fan of audiobooks, all the better, my friend. It is a HI-larious listen. One thing I particularly got a kick out of is that the "chorus" is a character in this book and the other characters get pretty ticked off with it by the end.

The Serpent of Venice by Christopher Moore 326 pages

Someday, if my dream comes true, Christopher Moore will ask me to be his proofreader.  That way I will get first looks at all of his books and I won't have to wait until they are published!  I love his books so much. This one, like Fool was inspired by some pretty heavy Shakespearean works.  Fool was kind of a retelling of King Lear from the fool's perspective.  Serpent has Pocket (the fool from Fool) back for more crazy, witty antics (and some pretty gnarly revenge involving a man-eating sea serpent), but inspired this time by The Merchant of Venice and Othello.  Only Moore could weave two completely different stories (make that three, because there was another work that inspired him for this one) and make it not only make sense, but have you giggling at others' demise.  I have never been disappointed by Moore, I just greedily wait for the next book.  Write faster, Christopher!!!