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

2008/290 pgs

About the Book: When Juliet receives a letter from a gentleman on the island of Guernsey, inquiring about Charles Lamb and a book that used to be hers, an unlikely correspondence begins. Dawsey and Juliet begin exchanging letters and Juliet comes to learn of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, a group formed during the German occupation of the Channel Islands during World War Two. The war is now over and the people of Guernsey are eager for news from the outside world and for conversation, so they begin to share their stories with Juliet. Juliet becomes wrapped up in the lives of the Literary Society members and finds friendship and romance.

Sarah Teenlibrarian Says: I actually tried to read this book when it first came out because I kept hearing so many good things about. But I just couldn't get into it, so I put it down. Then when it came time for my adult reading materials class this semester, again, this book's title kept popping up, so I decided to give it another try.

I'm so glad I did! This book is a wonderful tale that shows the will to flourish and survive in the worst of times and how friendships and books can help us. One review states the book is an "homage to booklovers" and I have to agree. Juliet loves books, the Literary Society connects over books and any booklover is sure to see themselves in the pages.

As charming as the book is, it's not all light and fluffy. This is a serious story and the characters have faced many hardships. I have to give credit to the author for bringing to life such a great cast of characters-quirky and all-all through letters. We come to know the characters and even the Island of Guernsey, all through the letter exchanges between everyone. Most of the letters are from Juliet, but her letters to her publisher and her friend Sophie help bring the happenings of Guernsey to life. I really felt as though I got to know the characters, which I found interesting since all character development is told either through Juliet's observations or their own letters to Juliet.

I'm glad I finally picked this book up and gave it a try! I really enjoyed it and I do recommend to anyone who hasn't read it (although I'm sure I'm the last person to read this one!:)