“When you embrace the thing that makes you different, you become whole.”
What a beautifully written, compassionate and compelling story. This book has a ‘real’ feel to it–happy endings are overrated. Life is messy and miraculous at the same time. The author has a way of crafting sentences that capture a great perspective on faith, family, and finding yourself. I will definitely look for more books by this author.
“A Place at the Table tells the story of three unforgettable characters whose paths converge in a storied Manhattan café. Bobby, a young gay man from Georgia who has been ostracized by his family; Amelia, a wealthy Connecticut woman whose life is upended when a family secret comes to light; and Alice, an African-American chef from North Carolina whose heritage is the basis of a renowned cookbook but whose past is a mystery to those who know her.”
I loved how the pieces of this novel come together. Each piece is significant in its own right, but together they make a whole. The characters are all exiles, finding their way from very different corners towards communion with each other and fulfillment in themselves. Food plays a central role in the novel and in case your mouth is watering from frequent references to a scrumptious pound cake, there is a recipe provided at the end of the book!
Joanne's Reading Blog 
I’m SO glad you like this too! I loved the ending in the church, but was baffled by why the author brought in the blessing of the animals in particular. That was the one piece that underwhelmed me. Just finished Small Great Things which I thought was phenomenal.
Thanks so much for the recommendation Laura! I did really love the faith element in the book which, to me, was unexpected. Also not sure about the animals, but what I was sure of, with all of the pet references, is that the author MUST have a dog! On to Picoult’s book when I get my hands on a copy…there’s a waitlist at the library!