Sunday, May 2, 2010

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

“I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers.”

This book blog has been sorely neglected! I have actually been reading quite a bit, but just haven't taken the time to post anything. I was at Barnes & Noble last month and they had the table set up with the "Buy 2 get 1 Free" promo, so I bought three books on a whim. The Friday Night Knitting Club, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and the book I just read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. I picked it up because of the funny name. I then went to the Relief Society Book Club meeting, and discovered that it was the book for the next meeting. Lastly, I checked out Stephenie Meyer's website to see if she was writing anything new and she had a post recommending this book. So I guess the universe was telling me I should read this book and I'm glad I did!

I loved this book!! It is written as a collection of letters (oh why oh why don't we write letters anymore?? does anyone want to be pen pals?) between the main character Juliet Ashton and the members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Guernsey is one of the Channel Islands and the book is set right after World War II. The characters and their stories about founding the literary society and surviving the occupation of the Channel Islands are humorous and heart breaking. The letter format was good, but it did leave me wanting more. Oh Juliet, Kit, Dawsey, Isola, how did your lives turn out . . . Juliet was right the story doesn't end when the hero and heroine are safely engaged! I don't want to give away too much, so if you want a more in depth description or info on the author's you can go to the B&N website.

John has been hoping that his work will open up the opportunity to work in the UK again, and after reading this book I have the same hope! Then I might be able to visit Guernsey!!