Cover courtesy of Amazon

“‘The Gondola Makers,’ by Laura Morelli, set in 16th-century Venice, vividly portrays art, love, politics, Italian cuisine of that time period, even the bubonic plague, in this finely researched historical novel. If you have been to Venice, or plan to visit Venice after the vaccine is effective, you will greatly enjoy the story of art and survival in the 1580s. A lesson from history, how the Italians survived the bubonic plague, as we will, soon, hopefully. I, along with members of the Italian Heritage Center, meet monthly by Zoom, discussing many books and contributions of Italians and Italian Americans. Books and book clubs have kept a lot of people sane this year. Keep reading!” — ANNA M. STANKIEWICZ, Gorham

Mainers, please email to tell us about the book on your bedside table right now. In a few sentences, describe the book and be sure to tell us what drew you to it as the pandemic and its ripple effects are receding in Maine. Was it a need to escape, a need to dig deeper? Something else? Send your pick to pgrodinsky@pressherald.com, and we may use it as a future Bedside Table.