What is Alyssa Palombo reading?

Featured at Writers Read: Alyssa Palombo, author of The Violinist of Venice: A Story of Vivaldi.

One title she tagged:

Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow

I recently listened to the cast recording of the musical Hamilton for the first time and, like many others, fell completely in love with it. Of course the music is incredible, but the story and the history behind it – history that I was only somewhat familiar with – fascinated me as well. So I got myself a copy of the massive Chernow biography of Hamilton that inspired composer Lin-Manuel Miranda to write the musical. I am slowly making my way through it, though it is written in a wonderfully engaging and readable style. I’m very much enjoying it and, obviously, learning a lot. And, as luck would have it...[read on]

About The Violinist of Venice, from the publisher:

Like most 18th century Venetians, Adriana d'Amato adores music-except her strict merchant father has forbidden her to cultivate her gift for the violin. But she refuses to let that stop her from living her dreams and begins sneaking out of her family's palazzo under the cover of night to take violin lessons from virtuoso violinist and composer Antonio Vivaldi. However, what begins as secret lessons swiftly evolves into a passionate, consuming love affair.

Adriana's father is intent on seeing her married to a wealthy, prominent member of Venice's patrician class-and a handsome, charming suitor, whom she knows she could love, only complicates matters-but Vivaldi is a priest, making their relationship forbidden in the eyes of the Church and of society. They both know their affair will end upon Adriana's marriage, but she cannot anticipate the events that will force Vivaldi to choose between her and his music. The repercussions of his choice-and of Adriana's own choices-will haunt both of their lives in ways they never imagined.

Spanning more than 30 years of Adriana's life, Alyssa Palombo's The Violinist of Venice is a story of passion, music, ambition, and finding the strength to both fall in love and to carry on when it ends.

Visit Alyssa Palombo's website.

The Page 69 Test: The Violinist of Venice.

Writers Read: Alyssa Palombo.

--Marshal Zeringue