Review -- The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Random House, 2008

288 pages

*I borrowed this book from the library.

Summary: Shortly after WWII, writer Juliet Ashton befriends the members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society.

Review: I absolutely loved this novel. It is a wonderful light, easy read that just transports you to another time and place. Told completely through letters, the characters (especially Juliet) shine through the page and give the novel a light and breezy tone. The story of a community living through the Occupation is an upbeat survivors tale with a little history mixed in. All of the society members are wonderfully unique individuals that the reader can easily love. I definitely recommend this novel. Rating: ***** out of 5.

3 W Wednesday -- 7/22

This meme is hosted by Should Be Reading.

What are you currently reading? I am currently reading This Must Be the Place by Kate Racculia. So far it's a wonderfully funny read with really interesting characters.

What have you recently finished reading? The fantastic Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (review coming soon!).

What are you reading next? I am thinking either A Wife's Tale by Lori Lansens or The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson.

Book Club Spotlight

For next month's book club meeting, we chose to read the very popular The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. For anyone who hasn't read it, here is the Barnes and Noble description:

"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." January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she's never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb....

As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends--and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society--born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island--boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all.

I am actually hoping to start this book while camping this weekend. Wish me luck! If you have read this book, give it some love in the comments section (or some dislike if you wish) -- but no spoilers -- I haven't read it yet!