If you’ve been following my 50 Books in 2012 reading list, you may have noticed that I enjoy reading historical fiction. My mom and I pass books along to one another and she recently gave me The Midwife of Venice to read. This book, by author Roberta Rich–born in Buffalo, New York, lives in Mexico and Vancouver.
The Midwife of Venice takes place in 16th Century Venice, Italy, and tells the story of midwife Hannah Levi. This passage from Rich’s website explains:
One night a Christian nobleman, Conte Paolo di Padovani appears at Hannah’s door in the Jewish ghetto with an impossible request. He implores Hannah to help his dying wife and save their unborn child. But a Papal edict has made it a crime, punishable by death, for Jews to render medical treatment to Christians. The Conte offers her a huge sum of money, enough to enable her to sail to Malta to ransom her beloved husband, Isaac who has been captured at sea and is a slave of the Knights of St. John.
I have traveled to Venice a few times and love everything about the city. It is very mysterious and vibrant and reading this story brought back memories of walking down un-named streets and getting lost in the hustle and bustle of the diverse city.
This is another great summer/beach read. Or in my case, airplane read.
What are you reading? Have you been to Venice or other cities in Italy?
Apples and Arteries 
This one looks so cool, I like this style of book for a little change up.